Lemon Bay & Charlotte Harbor
Manasota Key Fishing Weather & Tides
Lemon Bay flats and the Gulf beaches north of Stump Pass.
Today on the water
Tuesday, October 20Right now it's 64°F and clear at Manasota Key, with wind NNE 11 mph (gusts 28). The forecast high is 81° with a 0% chance of rain.
Today's tides
- High tide9:02 AM (1.7 ft)
- Low tide5:21 PM (0.6 ft)
Sun
- Sunrise7:32 AM
- Sunset6:56 PM
- UV index7
Fishing Manasota Key
Manasota Key runs between Lemon Bay and the Gulf just north of Stump Pass, offering protected grass flats on the bay side and open surf on the Gulf side. Trout and redfish work the Lemon Bay flats and oyster bars, snook prowl the beach and the pass in summer, and pompano show in the surf on the cleaner water. It's quintessential quiet-water Charlotte County fishing.
Target species
- Spotted seatrout
- Redfish
- Snook
- Pompano
Local tip: Work the Lemon Bay flats on a moving tide; snook slide onto the beach in the summer heat.
Manasota Key fishing & weather FAQ
- What are the tides in Manasota Key today?
- Manasota Key's tide predictions come from the NOAA CO-OPS station at Manasota, Lemon 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 Manasota Key?
- Manasota Key is known for Spotted seatrout, Redfish, Snook, 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 Manasota Key?
- Salty Forecast is built for exactly this stretch of coast — it combines tides for Lemon Bay & the Gulf, 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 Manasota 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.
Guides for Manasota Key
Hurricane Isaias and Southwest Florida: What Happened and What It Meant
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on the evening of October 9, 2026, and has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone in the Tennessee Valley. Southwest Florida was never under a hurricane, tropical storm or storm surge watch or warning. What NHC and NWS Tampa Bay reported for Englewood, Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande, Venice and Fort Myers, with sources.
Storm Surge on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, Explained
Why storm surge on the Charlotte Harbor coast depends on track, wind direction and our shallow Gulf more than category, with real numbers from Ian, Irma, Helene, Idalia and Milton.
Hurricane Prep for Boat Owners on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay
Haul, lift, slip or trailer: how to secure a boat for a hurricane on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, with real line sizes, drain plug rules, timelines and Florida law.
Fishing After a Hurricane in Southwest Florida
What a hurricane does to Charlotte Harbor's water, where snook and redfish go, dirty-water tackle that works, and the safety and conservation calls to make before you go.
Snook Fishing the Englewood to Boca Grande Coast
Expert snook guide for Lemon Bay, Stump Pass, Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande: seasons, temperature limits, tackle, leader, and FWC rules.
Fishing Regulations for the Charlotte Harbor Coast
Snook, redfish, tarpon and red snapper rules for Englewood to Boca Grande — season dates, slot limits, permits, and an FWC link on every number.
Best Tides for Snook Fishing in Lemon Bay & Stump Pass
When to fish Lemon Bay and Stump Pass for snook — which tide stage turns the bite on, why moving water matters, and how to time it around Englewood Beach.
Winter Trout Fishing in Charlotte Harbor: Water Temp & the Cold-Front Bite
How cold fronts move the trout bite in Charlotte Harbor — where fish go when the water cools, and why midday can beat dawn in winter.
Nearby spots
Tides from NOAA CO-OPS (Manasota, Lemon Bay). Forecast from Open-Meteo. Salty Forecast is a free hyperlocal weather app built for anglers — species and local notes are general guidance, not fishing advice. Always check current conditions and regulations before heading out.