Sarasota County is famous for its incredible inshore opportunities, but that doesn’t mean that offshore action should be neglected – far from it. The deep sea fishing Longboat Key has in store is definitely worth experiencing, especially if you’re looking for your next top angling destination.

 

If you plan on hitting the bluewater, you better be ready to travel some time to find and fight the monsters of the deep. The Gulf Stream waters are the playground of some of the most prized fish in the world, including Sailfish, Marlin, and Tuna. If you’re an avid Billfish chaser, then booking a deep sea fishing trip is your recipe for success.

 

The best time to go after Sailfish is from June–August, when they pass by Longboat Key in huge numbers. Sometimes you don’t even have to go that far from shore to hook one, it’s all a matter having a good charter guide and good timing. Tuna fishing is most productive from May-September, and chumming will bring these bad boys to your boat. Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper, Snapper, and Triggerfish are all on the list too.

 

Bear in mind that, to get to the thousand-fathom curve, where the biggest game fish hide, you’ll have to travel 100 miles or more from the shore. This is why anglers that are serious about their fishing quest book overnight trips, often two- or three-day expeditions.

 

These trips are not for the faint-hearted. You’ll be fishing most of the day and when you manage to hook a fish, chances are it will be something massive that will fight with everything it has. The charter you pick should provide all the licenses you need, as well as reliable gear so that you can fight your trophy catch and not have to worry about equipment failure. 

 

For your Longboat Key deep sea fishing adventure, you should prepare both mentally and physically, and pack plenty of food and drinks to last the trip. Not long after that, it’s time to come face-to-gills with some of the most impressive fish you’ve ever had on your line!