Captain Matt Santiago

September 7, 2018
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on September 7, 2018
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Fall Fishing!

Fall is definitely in the air.  The mornings are noticeably cooler and the fishing is improving every day.  Fortunately for Tampa Bay the red tide that devastated much of Florida’s west coast never got to us.  The fishing forecast for the next few months is nothing short of awesome.  We are starting to see some of our best snook and redfish fishing as well as a steady tarpon bite for smaller residential tarpon.   The kingfish are about to make their fall migration into our area as well.  It is one of the few times of the year that  you have […]
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March 22, 2017
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on March 22, 2017
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A Great Start to 2017!

Wintertime fishing is here and with it brings cooler temperature, clearer water and some of the lowest tides of the year. Inshore we are catching cobia, trout, snook, redfish, sheepshead, and even some small sharks. The fishing has been excellent as of late and should continue right along with the mild weather. Offshore the fishing has been excellent for grouper, snapper, amberjack and hogfish. There is still time to book your wintertime
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August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
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A Weekend Away

So what do I and many other fishermen do when we have some time off…..Go fishing of course! Fishing and diving in the Bahamas as a child was always the source of my fondest memories, and ever since I venture off Florida’s east coast to my favorite place in the world as often as possible.  The Abaco’s are by far my favorite islands in the Bahamas, and I get there as much as possible. 
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August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
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The Inshore Grand Slam

Although variations of this fishing challenge exist throughout the world and our state, The Tampa Bay Grand Slam consists of catching a Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Trout all in the same day.  It has been one of my favorite challenges for myself and my clients throughout the years and May is quite possibly the best month of the year to get yours.  
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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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