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Premium 4-Hour Sarasota Fishing | Fish Moore
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Sarasota
- $75 - $1,000 price range
Summary
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Sarasota's Finest Catches
More fish, more fun—Fish Moore Charters
Where anglers and nature come together
Cast, connect, catch—it’s what we do
Just one more cast… and another
Calm waters, great gear, endless bites
Fishing stories made on every charter
Local waters, expert guide, endless fun
Fishing Florida’s finest with family and friends
Sarasota views and unforgettable battles
Feel the fight, love the moment
More fish, more fun—Fish Moore Charters
Where anglers and nature come together
Cast, connect, catch—it’s what we do
Just one more cast… and another
Calm waters, great gear, endless bites
Fishing stories made on every charter
Local waters, expert guide, endless fun
Fishing Florida’s finest with family and friends
Sarasota views and unforgettable battles
Feel the fight, love the moment
More fish, more fun—Fish Moore Charters
Where anglers and nature come together
Cast, connect, catch—it’s what we do
Just one more cast… and another
Sarasota's Ultimate Half-Day Fishing Adventure
Ready to reel in some of the best fish Sarasota has to offer? You're in for a treat with our 4-hour charter trip. We'll cruise through Sarasota Bay and beyond, giving you a shot at landing everything from feisty redfish to hard-fighting grouper. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, our experienced captain knows exactly where the fish are biting. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's hit the water for some serious fishing action!
What to Expect on the Water
Our half-day trip is the perfect mix of action and relaxation. We'll start by heading out to some of Sarasota's prime fishing spots – places I've been dialing in for years. You'll get to try your hand at both backcountry and nearshore fishing, depending on where the bite is hot. We provide all the gear you need, from rods and reels to bait and tackle. And don't worry if you're new to this – I'll show you the ropes and have you casting like a pro in no time. Just be ready for that adrenaline rush when you feel the first tug on your line!
Techniques That Land the Big Ones
On our charters, we mix it up to maximize your chances of a great catch. We might start with some light tackle action in the mangroves, sight-casting for snook and redfish. Then we could move out to deeper water and drop some live bait for grouper. If the kingfish are running, we might even do some trolling along the beaches. I'll teach you how to work a popping cork, jig for grouper, or finesse a topwater lure. It's all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Trust me, there's nothing like the feeling of outsmarting a clever snook or muscling in a big red!
Top Catches This Season
Our recent trips have been on fire! Anglers have been pulling in some real beauties. Just last week, we had a father-son duo land a 30-inch gag grouper that put up one heck of a fight. A few days before that, a beginner angler hooked into a monster snook – nearly 40 inches! And let's not forget about the school of redfish we found tailing in a hidden cove. The smiles on my guests' faces say it all. These are the kind of memories that keep folks coming back year after year.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Gag Grouper: These bruisers are the heavyweight champs of our local waters. They love to hang around structure and will test your arms with their powerful runs. Gags are most active in cooler months, and there's nothing like the satisfaction of pulling one up from its rocky lair. They're not just fighters – they make for some fantastic eating too!
Snook: If you ask me, snook are the rock stars of inshore fishing. They're smart, strong, and put on one heck of a show when hooked. We target them year-round, but the action really heats up in the summer. Watching a big snook explode on a topwater lure is something you'll never forget. Just be ready for some acrobatics when they leap clear out of the water!
King Mackerel: When the kings are in town, hold onto your hat! These speedsters can scream off 100 yards of line in seconds. We usually find them in the cooler months, cruising the beaches and passes. Trolling with live bait is the ticket here. There's nothing quite like the chaos when a school of kings moves through – it's all hands on deck!
Redfish: Ah, good old reds – they're the bread and butter of Sarasota inshore fishing. These copper-colored beauties can be found tailing in shallow flats or hanging around oyster bars. They're suckers for a well-presented artificial lure or a juicy piece of cut bait. The 'bullreds' (over 27 inches) will give you a run for your money, and their distinct tail-slap when hooked is music to an angler's ears.
Cobia: These curious fish are like the puppy dogs of the sea. They often follow boats or even sharks, looking for an easy meal. Cobia are known for their strong runs and tasty flesh. Spring is prime time for these guys, and sight-casting to one cruising near the surface is a real thrill. Just be ready for a long fight – these fish don't give up easily!
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
I've been running these waters for years, and let me tell you, there's always something new to see. One day you might be battling a big snook under the mangroves, the next you could be drifting the flats for tailing redfish. The variety keeps things exciting, and there's nothing like the look on a guest's face when they land their personal best. Plus, Sarasota's beauty is hard to beat – from dolphins playing in our wake to ospreys diving for their dinner, there's always a show going on. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just enjoy a relaxing day on the water, we've got you covered.
Time to Book Your Spot
Alright, folks, if you're itching to get out on the water and tangle with some of Sarasota's finest fish, now's the time to lock in your trip. Our 4-hour charters are perfect for both seasoned anglers and families looking for some fun. We'll provide everything you need – just bring your sense of adventure and maybe a snack or two. Remember, the early bird gets the worm (or in this case, the fish), so don't wait too long to book. The fish are biting, the sun is shining, and we're ready to show you the best fishing Sarasota has to offer. Give us a call or hit that 'Book Now' button – your next big catch is waiting!
Learn more about the species
Cobia
Cobia are one of the most unique fish we target. These odd-looking bruisers resemble a cross between a shark and a catfish. They average 20-40 pounds but can top 100. You'll often spot them cruising just under the surface near buoys, wrecks, or even sea turtles. Spring and fall are best as they migrate. Cobia are curious fish - they'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate. That's your chance to pitch a live bait or jig to them. Once hooked, they put up a dogged, powerful fight. The meat is excellent - firm, white fillets perfect for grilling. My go-to trick is to always have a ready rod with a bucktail jig when we're offshore. You never know when a cobia will show up, but you've got to be quick when they do. It's a fish that'll really get your heart pounding.
Gag Grouper
Gag grouper are some of the biggest and baddest fish we target around here. These bruisers average 20-30 pounds but can top 80 pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 60-250 feet of water. They're ambush predators, so look for structure they can hide in. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move between deep and shallow waters. Gags put up a heck of a fight - they'll try to dive back into their holes, so keep that rod tip up and reel fast once you hook one. The meat is excellent eating too. Pro tip: Use a stout rod, heavy line, and a circle hook to improve your chances of landing these tough customers. Nothing beats the thrill of battling a big gag up from the depths.
King Mackerel
King mackerel are speed demons of the Gulf. These sleek, toothy predators can top 5 feet long and 50 pounds, though most run 10-30 pounds. Look for them in open water from 30-150 feet deep, often near bait schools. Spring and fall migrations bring them close to shore. Kings are prized for their blistering runs - when they hit, hold on tight! We usually troll with live bait or spoons, but slow-trolling a blue runner is deadly. Catching kings is all about finding the bait. Watch for birds, bait balls, or marks on the fish finder. Once you locate them, it's often fast action. Just be careful handling these toothy critters. The meat's good eating, but it doesn't freeze well, so keep only what you'll eat fresh. Nothing beats fresh-grilled king mackerel steaks after a day on the water.
Redfish
Redfish are one of our most popular inshore targets. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Most run 5-15 pounds, but bull reds over 40 inches aren't uncommon. Look for their distinctive tail wakes or backs sticking out of the water as they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall is prime time as big schools gather to spawn. Reds put up a stubborn, powerful fight - they'll try to wrap you around every obstacle they can find. Live bait works great, but sight-casting with artificial lures is a blast. My favorite trick is working a gold spoon slowly across a shallow flat on a falling tide. When you see that big copper flash, hang on tight! The meat's excellent too, with a sweet, mild flavor perfect for blackening.
Snook
Snook are one of the craftiest gamefish in Sarasota's waters. These sleek, powerful predators love to hang around mangroves, docks, and other structure in the bay and along beaches. Most run 5-15 pounds, but 30-pounders aren't unheard of. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move between inshore and nearshore waters. Snook put up an acrobatic fight, with sizzling runs and spectacular jumps. They're catch-and-release most of the year, which keeps the fishery healthy. Use live bait like pinfish or lures that mimic their prey. My go-to trick is working a soft plastic jerk bait slowly along mangrove edges during incoming tides. The strike will get your heart racing every time. Just watch out for those razor-sharp gill plates when you're handling them.
