Fishing Report

August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
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The Brown Bomber Invasion

April starts the beginning of Tampa Bay’s Cobia Migration and while many cobia call Tampa Bay home year round its April through July that herds of migratory cobia invade the bay to feed and breed.  Cobia are great fighters, great table fare and are one of our most reliable sight fishing targets throughout late spring and summer.  I believe there are a few different “migration” patterns for the cobia we catch every year in Tampa Bay. 
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August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
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Lovin’ the Live Bait

We west coasters are so blessed to have live baits available to us throughout the year.   I have fished all over the United States,  most of the Caribbean, and some of central America and one thing I have learned is how fortunate we are to have live bait available to us year round.  I consider the west coast of Florida a true bait mecca.   With more than a dozen highly productive bait species available virtually year round, we are living in a live bait fisherman’s paradise.
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August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
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A Bridge To Success

Bridges are some of the best fish habitats worldwide.   Like an oil rig attracts fish offshore, similarly bridges attract everything from baitfish and crustaceans to apex predators.  Tampa Bay is home to four of Florida’s largest bridges including the state’s second largest, the Sunshine Skyway.  Along with the 4 major bridges that span Tampa Bay are numerous smaller bridges that connect residential areas.  Bridges are favorite hangout spots for fish for a multitude of reasons. 
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August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
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Tarpon Tune Up Tampa Bay

April will mark the beginning of our tarpon season.  Consistent reports of poon sightings and hookups start to spread quickly, and everyone starts to feel symptoms of tarpon fever.   You know tarpon fever is spreading when tackle shops start to run out of heavier Fluorocarbon leader, bigger circle hooks are disappearing of the racks, and guys are flooding in one after another with big dusty spinning reels to get them reloaded with heavier braid. 
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February 9, 2015
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on February 9, 2015
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Wintertime Fishing off the Flats – Fishing Guide Ruskin

As water temps drop, moving off the flats may be all you need to do to keep your rods bent all day.It’s no secret that the fish that roam Tampa Bay’s flats don’t like cold water.   Lower water temps mean fish are more lethargic, eat less, and move less.  Water temperatures on the clean shallow flats of Tampa Bay fluctuate a lot throughout the day.  As the sun sets water temps in shallow water can drop drastically and take several hours of sunlight to start warming back up.   Conversely, water temperatures in deeper water stay much more constant. 
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January 25, 2015
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on January 25, 2015
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Flounder Fishing Charter Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay’s flounder fishery has been dramatically improving over the past few years. Fortunately for those of us that like to catch and eat these tasty flat fish, flounder populations are strong enough to exclusively target them during the cooler months of the year. Two species of flounder call Tampa Bay home. The Gulf flounder is the most common and can be identified by three distinct dark spots on its back. The southern flounder is less common and usually covered in spots.
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July 21, 2014
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on July 21, 2014
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Hot Summertime Action – Tampa Fishing Charters with Captain Matt Santiago

The weather is not the only thing that is hot right now.  The summer heat is here but with it comes some of the best fishing action of the year.  Fishing the flats and mangrove shorelines for snook, redfish, and trout is still consistent, but the best action has been for tarpon, cobia, sharks, snapper, and grouper. Fishing for big snook has been really good, especially early in the mornings before the sun starts to heat things up too much.  
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April 17, 2014
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on April 17, 2014
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Tarpon Season 2014 is upon us!

TARPON SEASON IS HERE!!!Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay is perhaps the most exciting light tackle fishing the world has to offer in one of the worlds most productive tarpon fisheries.  This season is sure to be a great one and I still have a few good tarpon days available for May and June. Ever since I was very young and caught my first tarpon I have been addicted to chasing and catching these amazing fish. 
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February 27, 2013
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on February 27, 2013
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Spring is in the air!

Our recent fishing charters on Tampa Bay have been fair to excellent over the last month and things are really about to heat up.  We have been fishing from the Skyway Bridge and Fort DeSoto all the way up in the bay to the Gandy Bridge. The redfish and trout fishing have been good, but it’s the snook action that has really stolen the stage lately. We have caught many snook over 30 inches lately, and lost some even bigger ones to the bushes and docks.
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