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Tampa 2011 Fishing Report & Schedule

Well 2011 is already here, seems like just a few months ago I was saying Happy New Year for 2010.  This year will mark my 16^th year as a fulltime charter captain.  It’s hard to believe it’s been that long.  I can’t remember who asked a few days ago how many hooks I have baited since I’ve been a charter captain, but since I have a calculator on my desk let’s do a quick figure.  Well, about 480,000 and that’s more hooks than I thought almost half a mill.  Well I have to thank all of you patron fisherman for that.  Hopefully we can make it to a million someday. 

Fishing has been great this winter, tons of Redfish around, more than I have ever seen any winter.   It’s a good sign that our Red fishing has been getting better the last few years and it looks like it’s going to keep getting better.   The stocking program really seems to make a huge difference.  Trout season has just opened and there are giant Trout everywhere.  Again the Trout fishing is probably better than ever and I see no reason this won’t continue.  We have also been catching a lot of keeper size Sheepshead and Black Drum mixed in which are great to eat.  Grouper fishing here as of lately is equally good with limits coming easily.  Grouper are still open in state waters until the end of January.

I’m filling my late winter, spring and Tarpon schedule now.  If you are planning some up and coming trips now is the time to get them on the calendar, dates are filling quickly this winter especially for Tarpon season.  Remember that peak time for Tarpon is May 1^st through about the 3^rd week of July.  I like to give my patron fisherman the opportunity to get their dates booked first so I’m giving everyone the head up.

On a final note we were lucky to have avoided the oil spill, it had zero effect on our areas fishing and beach going.  Let’s hope we never have to see that ever happen again.

Again I appreciate each and everyone’s business and promise, as always, to produce the best possible fishing action I can each and every day on the water.  Happy New Year, let’s all have a healthy and prosperous 2011.

Capt. Matt Ercoli

Cell  941-447-9888