Fishing in Siesta Key offers a fantastic variety of species and locations. Here are some of the top spots and tips to help you make the most of your fishing trip.
Popular Species and Techniques
- Beaches and Inshore Waters:
- Tarpon: Caught off Siesta Key beaches.
- Snook: Premier inshore game fish.
- Speckled Trout, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish: Common catches in the flats.
- Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, Gag Grouper, Black Drum: Often caught using live shrimp under docks and other structures.
FISHING LOCATIONS
Siesta Key Beaches and Surf
All beaches and surf locations can be productive at different times. Both bridges leading to Siesta Key hold fish year-round.
Big Sarasota Pass
- Ideal for Boat Anglers: Productive throughout the year.
- Popular Species: Pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and others.
- Best Techniques: Drifting and fishing the structure along the pass.
Bay Island Park (Northbridge Siesta Drive)
- Access: Reachable by car.
- Fishing Spots: Sea wall and Siesta Drive Bridge.
- Species: Snook, trout, pompano, ladyfish, snapper.
- Tips: Free lining live shrimp is effective, especially during outgoing tides early and late.
Shell Road Siesta Key
- Access: Reachable by car, located in Big Sarasota Pass.
- Species: Pompano, snook, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks, flounder, sheepshead.
- Best Times: High tide, as it turns to go out.
- Tips: Jigs and spoons for artificial lures, live shrimp is always a good choice.
Phillippi Creek
- Access: Reachable by car at Phillippi Estate Park. Small fishing pier, especially productive in cooler months.
- Species: Snook, jacks, snapper, sheepshead.
- Tips: Shallow diving plugs and live shrimp for bottom fishing.
Point of Rocks, Crescent Beach
- Access: Park at beach access #12 and walk south on the beach.
- Species: King and Spanish mackerel, sharks, false albacore, tarpon.
- Best Techniques: Trolling and casting to breaking fish.
Edwards Island
- Access: By boat in Roberts Bay.
- Fishing Spots: Oyster bars, docks, mangrove shorelines.
- Species: Snook, jacks, redfish, trout, ladyfish.
- Tips: Live bait and artificial lures, topwater plugs early and late on high tide.
Turtle Beach
- Access: Park at the Turtle Beach lot and walk south on the beach.
- Fishing Options: Surf or backwater lagoon.
- Tips: Surf fishing is good when seas are calm; lagoon is best when surf is churned up. Sight fishing for snook is excellent when conditions are right.
Fishing the Grass Flats, Little Sarasota Bay
- Grass Flats: Lush grass flats are home to crabs, shrimp, and small fish, attracting predator fish.
- Depth: 5 to 10 feet.
- Species: Speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, cobia, bluefish, jack crevalle, sea bass, grouper, snapper, flounder, ladyfish, tarpon.
- Techniques: Drifting and casting jigs or live bait. Quarter-ounce jigs with grub bodies are effective, as are live shrimp under a popping cork.
Tips for Choosing Between Renting a Boat and Taking a Charter
- Renting a Boat: Great for larger groups and families, especially with kids. A pontoon boat with a cover and high sides is ideal for casual anglers.
- Fishing Charter: More expensive but increases chances of catching fish. Capt. Jim, a full-time charter boat captain, fishes over 200 days a year, giving him expertise and an edge.
CHARTER MEETING SPOTS
Centennial Park (10th St. Boat Ramp)
- Location: Downtown Sarasota, at 10th St. and Tamiami Trail.
- Advantages: Quick access to prime fishing spots and the Gulf of Mexico.
Bay Island Park
- Location: Southwest side of the Siesta Dr. Bridge.
- Advantages: Convenient for anglers on Siesta Key, protected from northwest winds, but can be tricky during low tides.
WHAT TO BRING
- Personal Items: Weather-appropriate clothing, cameras or phones, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen.
- Snacks and Drinks: Can be stored in the boat’s cooler or a personal cooler.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Captain Jim’s “Sarasota Fishing Secrets” is the best book for anglers, at any level, I’ve ever read! Available as e-book at – sarasotafishingbook.com
