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Fishing Sarasota Florida

If you were just wishin' you could go fishin', have I've got some places to show you!

Fishing Sarasota Florida: There’s nothing like a sunny, blue skied day to be out on the water while inhaling the fresh, clean, warm salty air, fishing offshore on the Gulf of Mexico, or on the Intracoastal Waterway or off one of our famous fishing piers or sandy shores.

I’ll show you some great places in and around Sarasota County, plus Anna Maria Island, to drop a line.

I hear there are fish just waiting for you to catch them!

Fishing Sarasota Florida

fishing sarasota florida 2In and around Sarasota, Florida you have almost limitless variations available; any number of locations on the Gulf, numerous bays, a multitude of places on the Intracoastal, a number of pier locations, not to mention the beach shore in numerous spots.

You can also do a fishing charter.

Sarasota Florida is blessed with many wonderful places to do some fishin’!

I will point out not just the best places for fishing Sarasota Florida, but also some unique spots for catching fish that also have a beautiful view and scenery as well.

venice fishing pier bait signI may even toss in a fish story or two...or, on second thought, maybe I won’t. I’ll leave that up to you. Click here to share your favorite fishing story, tip or experience. You'll even be able to upload a photo of your magnificent catch to prove to the world your unparalleled sportsmanship!

What’s to catch here? Depends on whether you’re fishing the Gulf of Mexico offshore, deep sea, or the Intracoastal waterway.

Fishing Sarasota Florida

In general, depending on seasonal shifts, you’ll find:

Spanish Mackerel
Mangrove Snapper
Red Snapper
Red Fish
Jack Crevalle
Pompano
Sheeps Head
Lady Fish
Whiting
Flounder
Cobia
Shark
Blue Fish
Tarpon
Snook

There have also been reports of the catching of: Hammerhead Sharks, Bonnet Head Sharks and Nurse Sharks!

My own adventures fishing Sarasota Florida waters are with my buddy Howard on his 16’ fishing boat on the Intracoastal. And though I'm not the fisherman my friend Howard is, we have a great time.

We like to go fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway near the Albee Road Bridge (Nokomis) or Blackburn Road Flying Bridge (Osprey - single lane, rotating/swing bridge that leads to Casey Key.) We have had fun times anchored off either side of the Flying Bridge catching Jack Crevalle, Lady Fish, Mangrove Snapper and Sheep head.

Jacks are a fun, powerfully aggressive fish to catch and put up a good fight in the ICW. You can always know when Jacks are in the vicinity because they start a fish stampede at the water’s surface as other fish race away from them so they don’t become “fish food,” themselves, for the Jacks.

venice fishing pier bait signIf you’re going to be fishing Sarasota Florida, a fishing license is required in all but one spot: the Venice Fishing Pier.

Find out about fishing licenses: Click here (opens a new window) to learn more: Florida Fish and Wildlife Department

You may get a Florida Fishing License almost anywhere here, including the sports department at Walmart.


Other helpful information:

Click here for the Florida Marine Forecast

Click here for the NWS Regional Weather


Fishing Sarasota Florida - Tournament News

January 14 - 15, 2012: All aboard for the Capt John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament. The Captain's meeting is Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday morning. at 7:00 a.m. fishing lines are in. Entry Fees: Registration by January 6: $125 per for boat for 4 anglers (additional anglers $25) After January 6: (before Jan. 14), entry fees are $200 per boat. Cape Haze Marina, 6950 Placida Road, Englewood, Florida 34223 More info about the tournament by clicking this link.

February 25, 2012: The Lakewood Ranch Youth Fishing Tournament happens at Summerfield Lake from 8:30 a.m. - Noon. This "catch and release" fishing tournament is for those aged 5 - 15. One rod per angler. You can get a loaner rod if needed. Registration is $5 which gets the tournament registration, a t-shirt, a bbq lunch and a cooler bag. Under 11 must be accompanied by a parent. Registration limit: 125. More info and pre-register here.

May 5 - 6, 2012: The 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Open Fishing Tournament is taking place with fishing, prizes, and entertainment. All proceeds are to generate funds to grant at least two wishes for children with life threatening medical conditions at the Make-A-Wish Foundation. There are 5 contest divisions. Click here to learn more info and sign up.

May 19, 2012: It's the Spring Youth Fishing Tournament for ages 1 -14 at Nokomis Beach. It's just $1 to enter this "catch and release" contest which runs from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bring your own pole and tackle box, bait and prizes will be provided. Pre-register at 941-486-2780, day of registration begins at 8 a.m. and tournament is from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

August 2 - 6, 2011: The Sarasota Slam is taking place with Billfish, Offshore and Inshore Divisions. Get an entry form and more info about the Sarasota Slam by clicking here.



Fishing Sarasota Florida - where to go? Here's my:

Sarasota Florida Fishing Report and Guide To Great Fishing Along The Sun Coast


Anna Maria Island Florida

Fishing on Anna Maria Island Florida Anna Maria Island Fishing adventures come with picturesque old time Florida settings. You'll feel like you're in a Norman Rockwell painting in a couple locations I have here for you. Several pier fishing opportunities await you from south to northeast Anna Maria. Located where the far north of Sarasota Bay meets the far south of Tampa Bay, you never know what you might be able to reel in, but the fishing here is good. Click here and learn more about Anna Maria Island Fishing.

Sarasota County Fishing Locations from land and shore

Sarasota County Florida Fishing  Photo 1a Fishing Sarasota Florida? But you don't have a boat? That's not a problem because there are more land and shore locations to fish from in Sarasota County than I can name for you. But I will name and point out more than a few good fishing holes for your Sarasota County Florida Fishing adventures. From the Intracoastal Waterway to Sarasota Bay to fishing the Gulf of Mexico, I've got you covered! Just click here for my list of Sarasota County Florida Fishing locations.

Sarasota Florida Fishing Charters

Sarasota Fishing Charters at downtown bayfront Ever dream of catching the big one and not letting him "get away?" You can make your fishing dreams come true on any of a number of Sarasota Florida fishing charters. These charter captains know where the big ones are and how to land them. Fromgag grouper to mako shark to tarpon, barracuda and more, the Gulf of Mexico off of Sarasota Florida is a deep sea fisherman's paradise. Read and learn more about fishing charters in Sarasota Florida.

Venice Fishing Pier / Venice, Florida

venice fishing pier sign at entrance venice florida The Venice Fishing Pier is a short drive from Sarasota, but well worth it. This experience will give you not only a great fishing venue but one that puts you high over the Gulf of Mexico. Opened in October, 2004, at the Pier you don't need a fishing license; the only place I know of in the area where you can fish license-free. You may even rent a rod and reel at the Pier. And you can get your bait here too. You virtually don't have to bring anything with you. What can you catch from on high over the Gulf of Mexico at "The Pier?" Read more about the Venice Fishing Pier and find out.

Venice Jetty / Venice, Florida

Venice Jetty Fishing Casting a line at the Venice Jetty puts you on a long piece of pavement jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico along with other sportsmen and women. From here you can fish to your heart's content and view the spectacular Gulf of Mexico at its most beautiful. Bonus: often times you might be almost eyeball-to-nose with bottle-nosed Dolphins which are swimming nearby. Others that are vying for your catch are are Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, Cormorants and Anhingas. The Venice Jetty is quite a mixture of wild nature and a great, scenic place to do some fishing. Find out more about fishing on the Venice Jetty.

Now, you're invited to contribute to our Fishing Sarasota Florida page...

Have A Great Fishing Story, Tip or Favorite Spot To Share?

Do you have a great Fishing Sarasota Florida story about your adventures around the Sarasota Suncoast? Share it! Let others know where you've found the best fishing holes, your best catch and experience..and of course you can always tell about "the one that got away!"

Enter Your Fishing Story Title, Tip or Experience (Ex. I caught Jaws in Big Pass, but ...)






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