Known as much for its fun on the water as on its wholesome white-sand beaches, Lido Key, FL, is an attractive vacation spot for anyone who loves fishing, sailing, or simply watching the sunset from the bow of a boat.
With the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay surrounding the barrier island of Lido Key, you can take advantage of the several Lido Key fishing charters in the area to enjoy a fantastic day on the water.
After an early breakfast from the patio or balcony of one of many rentals near Lido Key Beach, head over to one of the following fishing charters in Lido Key and have a blast!
Lido Key Fishing Charters
In a vacation spot surrounded by four bodies of water, you can expect to find plenty of fishing charters and boat rentals in the area. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these fishing charters in Lido Key to help you choose which one is best for you.
Inshore Addict Charters
Bringing over 30 years of experience fishing in Sarasota waters, Captain Matt Davie of Inshore Addict Charters will guide you through the inshore of these waters and ensure that you’ll come away with more than a few fish.
No matter if you’re a seasoned pro or casting a line for the first time, Capt. Davie is the perfect guide for your excursion. Aboard his Skeeter sx2250 Bay, stocked with modern fishing gear, electronics, and safety equipment, you and up to three family members or friends can spend four, six, or eight hours with some drinks, food, good company, and good times.
Capt. Davie offers a four- or six-hour special in which he will fish with you!
Fishing rods, reels, bait, and tackle are all provided by Inshore Addict, along with a cooler and ice for the cooler. You bring food, drinks, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a determination to make the biggest catch of your life. Night fishing trips are also offered, as well as sightseeing tours and photo adventures.
Sarasota Fishing Charters
Fish in Sarasota local waters as well as the coastal waters of Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, and Longboat Key with Captain Jack Hartman of Sarasota Fishing Charters.
Beginners and experts are welcome, in groups of up to three anglers. Four-hour family specials are available for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. There’s also a single angler, four-hour trip. Six- and eight-hour trips for groups of three to four anglers are available as well.
The only problem you’ll find when chartering a fishing trip with Sarasota Fishing Charters? The time passes too quickly! Sarasota Fishing Charters is located across the street from the Mote Mammal Center.
Siesta Key Fishing Charters
Boasting the “largest charter fishing service on the Gulf Coast,” Siesta Key Fishing Charters offers customized inshore and offshore fishing charters for all ages and levels of experience. TripAdvisor rates Siesta Key Fishing Charters five stars!
Charters of four, five, six, and eight hours are offered for inshore, nearshore, and offshore excursions. Up to six guests are taken out for each trip. Inshore charters are live casting with live tackle, in the bay and intercoastal grass flats and docks. Nearshore is three- to four miles off the beach, with trolling and bottom fishing. Finally, offshore is eight-plus miles from shore, with trolling and bottom fishing as well.
Charter captains for inshore trips bring more than 20 years of experience, while nearshore and offshore guides have 35 years of experience in Sarasota fishing waters. Any fish you catch and bring back is cleaned and packaged for you—Siesta Key Fishing Charters do not keep any of your catches. The company also offers dolphin tours and sunset charters.
Siesta Key Fishing Charters is located on Siesta Drive in Sarasota.
Magic Fishing
Among other Lido Key fishing charters getting top ratings from TripAdvisor is Magic Fishing Adventures on Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota.
Captain Alan Routh, a “third-generation Sarasotan,” has lived and fished in the area for 40+ years. His new, spacious 23-foot Aeon fishing boat was custom built for inshore/offshore saltwater fishing. The boat has professional rods, reels, and tackle, and both live and artificial bait can be selected.
The charter’s pickup point is conveniently located on the islands between Lido Key and Longboat Key, providing instant access to both the Gulf and Sarasota Bay. The location is marked by the New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, where you can purchase food, drinks, and other items you might need for your trip. Magic Fishing provides you with ice and cooler, artificial lures and bait, a camera, and modern safety equipment.
Trips of four and six hours for up to four anglers are available.
How to Prepare
There’s a bit more to fishing charters in Lido Key than hopping on a boat and casting a line. What might you expect? What items are not provided? Here is some helpful information to help you plan a perfect day on the Sarasota waters.
What to Bring
While Lido Key fishing charters will provide all equipment and bait as well as a cooler and ice, it’s up to you to bring along sandwiches, snacks, or other foods, drinks, and sunscreen. Sunglasses and a sun hat are good ideas, too. You might also consider a light jacket, as it can be quite cool, especially miles offshore.
What to Expect
When you choose one of the top Lido Key fishing charters, you can expect to get a fishing guide who is knowledgeable about the fish in the area and has extensive experience in fishing the Gulf and bay waters.
You can expect to take a lot of pictures, not only of your party and catches but the wonderful sights you’ll experience on your trip. Most of all, you can expect to make lifetime memories!
Hours / Payment
Depending on which of the Lido Key fishing charters you select, your fishing trip can last anywhere between four and eight hours. Rates vary depending on whether you’re inshore, nearshore, or offshore fishing.
A four-hour trip can range from $350 to $600 for two to four anglers. Single angler specials for four- to six hours can fall in the same range. Six-hour trips can start at $550 and be upwards of $1,075 for offshore fishing. An eight-hour fishing charter can cost anywhere between $750 and $1,350, again depending on whether you’re staying close to the shore or fishing miles offshore.
Gratuities, of course, are welcome.
Plan Your Visit
Many top rentals in Lido Key are offered by Lido Key Vacations. We specialize in custom 3-6+ bedroom vacation homes with as many as five baths and accommodations for up to 19 guests. Plenty of room and comfort for large families or groups!
