Siesta Key to Lido Key: A Shore Angler's Guide to Sarasota
Fishing Sarasota Without a Boat
Sarasota's barrier islands — Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Siesta Key, and Casey Key — provide some of the best shore-fishing access on Florida's Gulf coast. Between the public beaches, jetties, piers, and pass outflows, a shore angler with a spinning rod and a bucket of bait can access the same species that charter clients pay hundreds to target from a boat.
This guide covers the top shore-fishing locations from north to south, with species, seasonal windows, and access details for each.
Lido Key: New Pass and South Lido Park
New Pass Bridge and Jetties
New Pass connects Sarasota Bay to the Gulf between Lido Key and Siesta Key. The rock jetties flanking the pass concentrate fish during tidal exchanges. On the outgoing tide, snook and jack crevalle ambush bait flushing from the bay. On the incoming, sheepshead and mangrove snapper work the rocks.
Access the south jetty from the parking area at the south end of Lido Beach. The north jetty requires wading across a shallow flat from the Siesta Key side. Wear wading boots — the rocks are sharp and slippery.
South Lido Park
The southern tip of Lido Key features a sandy point with access to both Gulf and bay water. The Gulf side produces pompano during spring and fall runs. The bay side holds trout on the grass flats and snook along the mangrove-lined shoreline. This park has free parking, restrooms, and is rarely crowded on weekday mornings.
Siesta Key: The Village and Stickney Point
Siesta Key Public Beach
The famous white quartz sand beach produces more than sunburns. Pompano cruise the first trough from October through May. Whiting and silver trout bite year-round on the bottom. Spanish mackerel push within casting range during spring bait runs. Fish early morning before the beach fills with swimmers.
'Siesta Key beach in November at 6 AM is a surf angler's dream. The tourists are still asleep, the pompano are running, and you've got 50 yards of sand to yourself. I've caught my limit before 8 AM more times than I can count from that beach.' — Ricky Saunders, Sarasota surf fishing club member
Stickney Point Bridge
The bridge connecting Siesta Key to the mainland spans a deep channel that funnels tidal current. Night fishing under the bridge lights for mangrove snapper fishing in Sarasota is outstanding from May through September. Sheepshead own the pilings from December through March. Access the bridge from the catwalks on both sides — parking is limited, so arrive before sunset.
Big Sarasota Pass
Big Sarasota Pass separates Siesta Key from Casey Key and offers some of the strongest tidal flow in the area. The pass mouth holds tarpon from May through August — shore anglers casting from the south end of Siesta Key can reach rolling fish during dawn sessions. Snook hold along the channel edges year-round.
Shore Fishing Seasonal Calendar
| Location | Winter (Dec–Feb) | Spring (Mar–May) | Summer (Jun–Aug) | Fall (Sep–Nov) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Pass Jetties | Sheepshead, drum | Snook, pompano, cobia | Snook, jack crevalle, snapper | Snook, redfish, flounder |
| South Lido Park | Trout, sheepshead | Pompano, trout, snook | Snook, tarpon (bay side) | Redfish, trout, pompano |
| Siesta Beach surf | Whiting, silver trout | Pompano, Spanish mackerel | Snook (near passes) | Pompano, whiting |
| Stickney Point Bridge | Sheepshead, drum | Snook, snapper | Mangrove snapper, snook | Snook, snapper, redfish |
| Big Sarasota Pass | Sheepshead, flounder | Snook, tarpon (late May) | Tarpon, snook, jack | Snook, redfish |
Shore Fishing Gear Essentials
- Rod: 7' medium or medium-heavy spinning rod — covers jetty, surf, and bridge fishing
- Reel: 3000–4000 series spinning reel with smooth drag
- Line: 15-lb braid with 20-lb fluorocarbon leader
- Terminal tackle: #1 hooks for shrimp/fiddler crabs, 1/0–3/0 for cut bait and live bait, 1/4-oz jig heads
- Bait: Fresh shrimp covers 90% of shore-fishing situations; add fiddler crabs for sheepshead and sand fleas for pompano
A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for shore fishing unless you're on a pier with a blanket license. Licenses are available online at myfwc.com or at local tackle shops.
For anglers who want to explore the deeper grass flats beyond shore range, Sarasota Bay offers some of the best redfish fishing in Sarasota from a kayak — many of the flats east of Siesta Key are within a short paddle from public launch points.
