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Tampa Bay - Saltwater

Capt. Matt Ercoli
April 8, 2001
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report

Hey there fellow fisherman, I'm sorry for the delay but it's just so busy this time of year that it's hard for me to keep up with my fishing report at times. Believe me it's not that I don't have anything to report about because the fishing could not be better here in Tampa Bay. Even today with all the boat traffic and minimal bait we still managed to kill them. The morning started out with four tarpon hook-ups and two boated, a 60 and a 90 pounder. Then after all that excitement we ran inside for snook. We boated 20 snook with two around 30inches, not bad for a bonus after the tarpon. Believe me today was not out of the ordinary, as a matter of fact it has been the norm. Everyday for the passed couple of weeks, I can hardly remember not boating a few nice snook along with 20 to 50 smaller ones around 22 to 25 inches. The smaller ones may not be keepers but are great fighters.

The trout fishing has also picked up a lot in the last few days. My partner Capt. Shawn had a group that boated 20 trout between 17 and 24 inches today.

We have finally located some giant schooling redfish in the 28 to 34 inch-class during rising high tides, I expect this fishing to pick up considerably.

Cobia are starting to show up thick on the flats, Jim Rabe of Lakeland managed a 30 pounder on ten-pound test yesterday. Capt. Shawn's group brought in a 25 pounder. There is a rumor going around that someone brought a 95 pounder to the scales last week. That's one heck of a fish!

The tarpon fishing is very dependable now, as long as the winds are not up too much to fish them. Our success rate has been quite good. The tarpon are averaging around 80 to 120 pounds, but larger ones are fairly common.

If you are interested in a June or July tarpon or permit trip, it's time to make plans now. I'm becoming booked-up, so give a call if that's in your summer plans.

I hope you enjoyed the report and get out and go fishing while the action is hot.

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Offering half to full day flats fishing charters aboard his custom 24' Sheaffer flats/tower boat. Fishing the backwater flats from Tampa to Sarasota Bays, Capt. Matt Ercoli has the knowledge and personality to ensure that you have a great fishing experience. Providing both inshore flats fishing for tarpon, snook, redfish, trout and offshore fishing for permit, kingfish, bonita, grouper or shark. Capt. Matt accommodates both lite tackle and fly fishermen.

Contact Info:

Fly the Flats Fishing Charters
Phone: 800-521-2872
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