Tampa Bay to Sarasota, FLORIDA

Captain Matt Ercoli and Captain Shawn Crawford have had great fishing the last couple of weeks. Except for a few days last weekend when the cold front was in full effect, the fishing has been quite good . Overall I would definitely say our snook fishing has accounted for the bulk of the fish caught by our sport. Cooling water temperatures have enticed large schools of summertime offshore snook fleeing from their depths. They are now cruising the flats, more readily available and much easier for us to locate. The cooling water temperature has accounted for some true trophies recently. Two weeks ago Danny Wims of Dallas Texas landed a 42" Snook (nearly 30 pounds) on 10 lb spinning tackle. Under my guidance, he was able to provide this fantastic photo. I wish that I hadn't laid it on so thick though. Just three days ago Capt. Shawn had to dethrone the massive 42 incher. David Dowing of Atlanta Georgia landed a 45 inch snook that weighed nearly 40 lbs aboard Capt. Shawn's boat.
      Snook are not our only target now . The redfishing is still holding on strong, with plenty of slot fish scattered around, we have been catching plenty of keepers. We have been targeting large schools of bull reds on shallow bars. This is my favorite way to sight-fish giant reds on the fly. Many of these fish exceed 40" with the average being 30 to 35. We have been having some banner days on the fly, 15 to 20 of these bruisers in a day.
      The trout fishing has been quite good. For a change of pace, we have been anchoring up on some of our favorite low tide trout spots in Sarasota bay and busting 30 or 40 trout along with plenty of 15" to 20" keepers in a hour or two.
      With water temperatures mingling in the low 70's, we are now at prime pompano season. I have been seeing many 4 to 5 pound pompano on the flats in 2 to 4 ft of water. This is traditionally the best time of year for my fly guys to take trophy pompano. I believe it should be good for the next two months anyway.
      The offshore fishing is now starting to pick up again. There are large schools of Spanish mackerel with little tunie. This is great fun for any fly or light tackle enthusiast . The spanish mackerel run from 20 to 30" with the little tunie running from 10 to 18 pounds. Both species are usually very willing to eat. We had a few days before this hard blowing east wind, where we caught them till our arms ached, on both fly and live bait.
      Calm days and cooling water can make for some of the best permit fishing of the year. When the conditions are right, sight fishing for offshore permit can be phenomenal this time of year. Most Permit will run from 5 to 12 pounds with some exceeding 30lbs . I usually target the former ones with my fly guys because they are much more willing to eat. Those small schools of giant 20 to 30 pounders are usually best left to my guys armed with a live crab. Last fall I had one day with 32 permit to the boat including 12 of which where on the fly. I hope to run a trip that will surpass that record this fall.
      This fall has been a good one, and I think it will continue to hold on strong. I hope that you have enjoyed our report and forecast and hope to see you on the water.

                                                                                                     Capt. Matt Ercoli

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