Longboat Key Fishing Weather & Tides

Fishing Longboat Key

Longboat Key is eleven miles of barrier island with a pass at each end, and those two cuts — Longboat Pass to the north and New Pass to the south — are where the fishing concentrates. Snook stack on the bridge and jetty structure with the current, and the sand at the north end near Greer Island fishes well for reds and trout on the right water. In late spring and early summer, tarpon move down the beach in strings within easy sight of the sand, part of the same migration that makes Boca Grande famous. The beach itself is quiet and low-rise by Florida standards, good for a long walk or a paddle inside the bay. Behind the island, Sarasota Bay's grass flats hold trout year-round.

Local tip: Fish the passes on a strong moving tide, especially the outgoing; beach tarpon want calm, clear water and a light morning wind.

Longboat Key fishing & weather FAQ

What are the tides in Longboat Key today?

Longboat Key's tide predictions come from the NOAA CO-OPS station at Whitfield Estates, Sarasota Bay. Today's high and low tide times are shown above and update through the day on the live dashboard.

What fish can you catch at Longboat Key?

Longboat Key is known for Snook, Redfish, Spotted seatrout, and more. The mix shifts with the season, water temperature, and tide — check the live conditions before you run.

What's the best weather app for fishing Longboat Key?

Salty Forecast is built for exactly this stretch of coast — it combines tides for Sarasota Bay & Longboat Pass, wind and gust forecasts, water temperature from nearby NOAA buoys, live radar, and offshore swell in one clean, free view aimed at anglers.

Is the wind good for fishing Longboat Key right now?

Wind direction and speed make or break a day on the water. The live Salty Forecast dashboard shows current wind and gusts, an hourly wind forecast, and an animated wind map so you can pick the calmest window and the most protected water.