The 5 Best Fishing Spots Around Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and vibrant arts scene. But if you're a fishing enthusiast, you'll be stoked to know that Sarasota is also a premier fishing destination!

With its location on the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota offers a diverse range of fishing opportunities. You can go deep-sea fishing for grouper, snapper, and amberjack, or stay closer to shore and catch redfish, trout, and snook. The area is also famous for its tarpon fishing, with the annual "Tarpon Season" drawing anglers from around the world. Here are some of the best local fishing spots in Sarasota:

Siesta Key

Siesta Key, a barrier island located just offshore from the city of Sarasota, is famous for its crystal-clear waters and white sand—and just so happens to also be a great spot for fishing. Siesta Key offers opportunities for a variety of fishing experiences, including surf fishing, pier fishing, and boat fishing. Here are some of the best fishing spots in the area:

Siesta Key Village Public Beach: This is a popular spot for surf fishing, especially during the fall and winter months when the fish are active.

Point of Rocks: This rocky outcropping at the southern end of Crescent Beach is a great spot for anglers looking to catch snook, redfish, and other game fish.

Turtle Beach: This is another popular surf fishing spot, with anglers catching a variety of species including snook, redfish, and pompano.

Bay Island Park: This park is located on the east side of Siesta Key, and offers anglers a chance to fish for trout, snook, and redfish in the bay waters.

Midnight Pass: This area between Siesta Key and Casey Key is known for its excellent tarpon fishing, especially in the summer months.

Lido Key

Lido Key, a barrier island in Sarasota that is approximately 2.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide at its widest point, is a popular fishing spot for both locals and tourists. You can fish from the shore, rent a boat, or book a charter to go out on the water. Some of the best fishing spots in Lido Key are:

Lido Key Beach: Fishing from the beach is allowed in designated areas, and you can catch a variety of fish such as pompano, snook, and redfish.

New Pass Bridge: This bridge connects Lido Key to Longboat Key and is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. You can catch a variety of fish such as snapper, grouper, and sheepshead.

Ken Thompson Park: Located on the southern tip of Lido Key, this park offers fishing opportunities along its shoreline and from its fishing pier. You can catch a variety of fish such as snook, redfish, and trout.

Ted Sperling Park: Located on the southern end of Lido Key, this park offers fishing opportunities along its shoreline and from its fishing pier. You can catch a variety of fish such as snook, redfish, and trout.

South Lido Park: Located on the southern end of Lido Key, this park offers fishing opportunities along its shoreline and from its fishing pier, making it a popular option for those who don't have access to a boat. You can catch a variety of fish such as snook, redfish, and trout.

Overall, inshore fishing in the waters around Lido Key can be productive for species such as snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon. Anglers can fish from kayaks or small boats in the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay, or wade the flats in search of their quarry.

Offshore fishing is also popular at Lido Key, with anglers targeting species such as grouper, snapper, kingfish, and tuna. Deep Sea Charters in Sarasota and its surrounding areas are available for those who want to venture further out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Longboat Key

Longboat Key, another beautiful barrier island located in Sarasota County, is a popular fishing spot in the area. The island is approximately 11 miles long and 0.5 miles wide, with plenty of public beaches and fishing piers that offer easy access to the Gulf. The island is also home to several marinas, where you can rent boats or book a fishing charter to explore the deeper waters offshore. Here are some of the best fishing spots in Longboat Key:

New Pass: This is a popular spot for fishing on Longboat Key, where the waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the Sarasota Bay. Here, you can catch a variety of fish, including snook, redfish, trout, and flounder.

Longboat Pass: This is another great spot for fishing on Longboat Key, where the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay meet. Longboat Pass is known for its abundant tarpon, which can be caught during the summer months.

Whitney Beach: This beach is located on the northern end of Longboat Key and is a great spot for fishing from shore. You can catch a variety of fish here, including snook, redfish, and trout.

Beer Can Island: This is a popular spot for fishing and boating on Longboat Key. The waters around Beer Can Island are known for their large schools of snook, as well as other species such as redfish, trout, and tarpon.

Sarasota Bay: The waters of Sarasota Bay offer excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of species to catch, including snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon. There are several spots around the bay where you can fish, including the Ringling Causeway Bridge and the Bayfront Park fishing pier.

There are various fishing techniques used at Longboat Key, depending on the type of fish you're targeting. For example, if you're fishing for redfish or snook, you might use live bait or artificial lures and cast your line around mangrove shorelines or docks. For offshore fishing, you might use a variety of tackle and techniques to catch grouper, snapper, or other species.

Myakka River State Park

Myakka River State Park offers several fishing opportunities, including fishing from the park's two lakes, Upper Myakka Lake and Lower Myakka Lake, and fishing from the Myakka River. To fish at the park, visitors are required to have a valid Florida fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online or at local sporting goods stores.

Fishing at Upper Myakka Lake and Lower Myakka Lake is allowed from the shoreline, from the park's two fishing piers, or from a small boat, kayak, or canoe. The lakes are home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish.

Fishing from the Myakka River is also popular, and anglers can fish from the riverbanks or from a canoe or kayak. The river is home to a variety of fish species, including snook, redfish, tarpon, and largemouth bass.

Skyway North Fishing Pier (Sunshine Skyway)

The Skyway North Fishing Pier, also known as the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier, is a popular fishing spot located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The pier stretches 2.7 miles across the Tampa Bay, providing ample opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of fish. If you're coming from Sarasota, the Skyway North Fishing Pier is about a 40 minute drive.

Once you arrive, you'll be able to fish in one of the most unique locations in Florida. The pier is situated next to the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, offering stunning views of the bridge and the surrounding waterways.

When it comes to fishing Sunshine Skyway, anglers can expect to catch a wide range of fish species. Some of the most commonly caught fish include snook, tarpon, redfish, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. From March to May, the Mackerel migration is impressive. Additionally, you can always hook some grouper and snapper, which can be found in the deeper waters near the end of the pier, as well as sharks and kingfish with the appropriate gear.

The type of fishing you do at the Skyway North Fishing Pier will depend on the species you're targeting. Some anglers prefer to use live bait, such as shrimp or pinfish, while others prefer to use lures or jigs. Regardless of your preferred fishing method, you'll want to make sure you have the appropriate tackle and gear for the species you're targeting.

Overall, this is an excellent spot for parking and fishing. Although it can get a bit crowded at times, you can generally reel in perch if nothing else. From March to May, the Mackerel migration is impressive, and you can always hook some grouper and snapper, as well as sharks and kingfish with the appropriate gear.

How Do You Surf Fish?

Know the Regulations: Before you start fishing, make sure you know the local regulations. Different areas have different rules about what types of fish you can catch and how many you can keep. Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the latest regulations.

Check the Tide: The best time to surf fish is during the incoming and outgoing tides. During these times, fish move closer to shore to feed. You can check the tide charts online or at a local tackle shop.

Choose the Right Gear: You will need a long fishing rod and a heavy-duty reel for surf fishing. A 10 to 12-foot rod is ideal for casting long distances, and a reel with a high line capacity will be able to handle larger fish. Use a fishing line with a test strength of at least 20 pounds.

Use the Right Bait: Live bait such as shrimp, sand crabs, and small fish are effective for surf fishing. You can also use lures that mimic the movements of these types of bait. Different fish species may prefer different types of bait, so check with a local tackle shop or a local Sarasota charter captain for recommendations.

Look for Structure: Fish like to hang out near underwater structure such as rocks, sandbars, and channels. Look for these features in the surf and cast your line near them.

Remember to always be aware of your surroundings and keep safety in mind while surf fishing. Enjoy your time on the water and good luck!

Fishing in Sarasota

Fishing in Sarasota isn't just about the catch - it's also about the experience. Imagine cruising along the crystal-clear waters, feeling the warm sun on your skin, and casting your line into the endless blue expanse. It's the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature.

So whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, Sarasota has something to offer. With its stunning scenery and world-class fishing opportunities, it's no wonder that so many people consider Sarasota a top destination for fishing. Come experience it for yourself and create unforgettable memories on the water!