About Captain Eric Paquin — your Sarasota fishing guide
Twenty years, 3,500+ charters, and a deep love for these waters. Here’s the person you’ll be spending the morning with.
Get your fish on with Drag-On
I’m Eric Paquin, and Drag-On Charters is me — not a big company, not a fleet of boats. Just one captain who fell in love with Sarasota’s waters and decided to spend his life on them. Over the past 11 years I’ve taken more than 3,500 guests out on the bay and the Gulf, and I still get a little jolt every time someone’s rod bends over.
I grew up fishing, got my USCG captain’s license, and never looked back. These flats, passes, and reefs are my backyard. I know where the snook stack up on a falling tide, where the tarpon roll in May, and which Gulf reefs hold grouper when the water’s calm. That local knowledge is the whole point — it’s the difference between a boat ride and a great day of fishing.
Most of all, I love the people. I’ve taught little kids to cast, helped nervous first-timers land the fish of their life, and watched bachelor parties and grandfathers and entire families make memories out here. Whoever you are, when you step on my boat, you’re fishing with a friend.
My goal on every trip is simple: put you on fish, keep everyone safe, and make sure you leave with a memory you'll talk about for years. That's it.
P.S. — text me anytime. I usually answer between casts. (941) 284-6274
A boat built for these waters
VESSEL
26′ Pathfinder with sight tower
CAPACITY
Up to 6 guests
SAFETY
E.P.I.R.B. + full USCG equipment
CAPABILITY
Inshore flats + offshore Gulf
DEPARTURE
Ken Thompson Boat Ramp, Sarasota
Why families love fishing with Captain Eric
Patient with first-timers
Never held a rod? Perfect. I take the time to teach, bait the hooks, and cheer just as loud for a first fish as for a trophy. Nobody leaves feeling rushed.
Guaranteed action
Kids need bites, not lectures. I keep the rods bending with steady, light-tackle action so there’s always something tugging — and a guarantee you’ll catch fish.
Photos of every catch
I snap photos all morning and even capture POV footage on my Meta glasses, so you head home with the pictures and video to prove the stories true.
Let's fish together.
Bring the family, bring your buddies, or come solo. I’d love to show you my backyard.