Sarasota rewards boaters who know their tides. As a calm, sun-soaked stretch of the Suncoast built for relaxed days on protected water, it offers Sarasota Bay, Big Pass, and Roberts Bay and a fishery built around Snook, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout. Pick from 18 launch points nearby, watch the wind, and you'll understand why this stretch of coast has such a loyal following.
Top ramps around Sarasota
- Ken Thompson Park Boat Ramp · Salt · Sarasota Bay
- Sarasota Centennial Park · Salt · Sarasota Bay
- Christopher Wheeler Park Kayak Access · Salt · Little Sarasota Bay
- Ken Thompson Park Kayak Beach · Salt · Sarasota Bay
- Lakeview Park Kayak Launch · Fresh · Lake Sarasota
- Myakka River State Park - Boat Ramp · Fresh · Upper Myakka Lake
- Myakka River State Park - Myakka River Kayak Launch · Fresh · Myakka River
- Myakka River State Park - Upper Myakka Lake Kayak Launch · Fresh · Upper Myakka Lake
Browse all Sarasota County ramps →
What's biting & when
Target species:
Best months: May–July tarpon; fall and spring for the best inshore action.
Tides & timing
The nearest NOAA reference station is St. Petersburg. Today's predicted tides:
Full 7-day St. Petersburg tide chart →
Gear tips for Sarasota
Local boaters here fish Sarasota Bay, Big Pass, and Roberts Bay. A dependable chartplotter and trolling motor for working the flats and passes go a long way. Start with our reviews of the best fish finders, marine GPS units, and trolling motors.