Fishing Guide Ruskin

September 7, 2018
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on September 7, 2018
Categories

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 […]
Do you like it?
Read more
August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
Categories

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. 
Do you like it?
Read more
August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
Categories

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.  
Do you like it?
Read more
August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
Categories

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. 
Do you like it?
Read more
August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
Categories

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.
Do you like it?
Read more
August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
Categories

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. 
Do you like it?
Read more
August 15, 2016
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on August 15, 2016
Categories

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. 
Do you like it?
Read more
February 9, 2015
Published by Capt. Matt Santiago on February 9, 2015
Categories

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. 
Do you like it?
Read more