Sarasota Deep Sea Fishing may not be what the area is best known for. But there are still great deep sea species around if you are willing to make the trek. Many species can be found all year round, while the main pelagic favorites are most present during the hot summer months.
What to catch and where to find it
You can find big Amberjack in the deeper waters around Sarasota, as well as plenty of monster Snapper and Grouper. Most Sarasota party boat fishing will focus on these species, going around 20 miles out. They won’t usually be willing to make the long treks required to target big pelagic species. This makes the upgrade to a private charter well worth it for serious big game anglers.
If you are looking to catch Wahoo, Sailfish, or decent sized Tuna, the best deep sea fishing spots like The Elbow and the West Drop are a good 50 miles away. This means that you will need a full day charter if you want some decent fishing time once you get there. Competition is fierce among Sarasota deep sea fishing charters, though, and you will find plenty of captains ready to make the long trip out to these deeper waters.
When to fish
Large bottom fish can be found year-round a few miles out from Sarasota. This makes for productive bottom fishing in deeper waters, even in the blessedly cool and dry winter months. The best time to target Billfish is from late spring onwards when they follow the baitfish closer towards the shore. By the heat of summer, you have a decent chance of catching Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Sailfish on a standard eight-hour charter, although you may want more time if you are looking for a trophy specimen.
