Fall 2020 Fishing
Our fabulous fall fishing is here. The weather and fishing will be about as good as it gets the next few months. Now is the time to book your trip! Kingfish, tarpon, snook, redfish, grouper and cobia are all on the menu! This is also a great time of year for group, corporate and team building fishing events. Let us help you plan the best fishing event or tournament! www.facebook.com/fishwithcaptainmatt
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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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. Read More
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. Read More
Fabulous Fall Fishing!
The Fall weather is here and with it brings some of the best fishing of the year. Almost every part of the bay is holding good numbers of gamefish and the near shore and offshore fishing is red hot as well. Inshore fishing for Snook, Redfish, and Trout has been excellent and a Florida Inshore Grand Slam which consists of one of each of the above mentioned species is almost a guarantee, even on a half day of fishing.
The Snook have started to move into the rivers, estuaries, and small bays, and are feeding almost 24/7 to fatten up for Winter. Read More
Lots of Fish
The fish are biting and the weather is nice, everyone should be trying to get out to do a little fishing. I have been fishing Tampa Bay with some great success. Every year the Redfish in Tampa Bay go back to their wintertime spots and I am not talking about the little 8 to 12 inchers that go to the rivers every year. The fish that I am talking about are the big ones. The Redfish are on the flats and some days they are up close to the shore, and some days they are over 500 yards from the shore. Read More
Winter Power Plant Fishing!
Between Bradenton and Tampa on the southeastern shore of the Bay, lies a magical winter wonderland. TECO power plant located in Apollo Beach is one the best winter fisheries in the world. When the bay and gulf waters cool down, TECO power plant heats up! Anglers, captains, and spectators flock to TECO power plant by land, sea, and air.
Many private planes and helicopters circle to get a birds eye view of this amazing natural winter aquarium. Read More
Offshore for Some Drag Screaming Amberjack!
Last weekend I got a call from Dean who wanted to take his son and his buddies out for some offshore fishing before they all went off to college. He requested nice weather, a nice boat and some fish that would wear out the boys and I had just the plan. Sunday we ran offshore on the big Cabo yacht and were greeted by calm seas and sunny weather.
After some bottom fishing to put some fish in the cooler for dinner, it was time for the guys to battle some Amberjack, Read More
Multi-Species Day! 7-22-11
My clients had 2 goals today. Goal number 1 was to catch their first slot size Redfish, goal number 2 was to catch their first Snook. I picked them up just after sunrise to catch the remainder of the tide and made the run to our first spot. At first I was getting worried the fish weren’t going to show due to lack of moving water but after a little chum it was like clockwork.
They came out of their hideouts ready to ambush our baits. Within the first 30 minutes all 3 guys had the slot Redfish goal checked Read More
Chicago Boys Tangle with Tarpon!
Last weekend I had the Chicago crew down again for their annual guys fishing trip. This year the group added another “Mike” to make 3 and 2 days to their trip. They showed up ready to fish, unfortunately Mother Nature threw a wrench in our plan blowing winds 20-30 Knots on the first two days. So instead of trying to get on some Tarpon from the start, we spent the first two days ducking in and out of rivers and estuaries catching everything from Trout, Ladyfish and Jack Crevalle to Snook and Redfish. Read More