Back-to-back good days on the water. After an offshore Goliath grouper morning yesterday, today we stayed inside the bay — and the bay gave us plenty to work with.
I had Sean, Zack, Zoey, and their mom out this morning — a group of four passed along by a friend. First time on the boat for all of them. By the time we wrapped up, we’d put sharks, snapper, grouper, and snook in front of them. Not a bad introduction to what Sarasota inshore fishing can do.
Bonnethead Sharks on the Surface
The highlight of the morning was the sharks. Bonnethead sharks were fired up on the surface — and when I say fired up, I mean they were actively hunting and feeding, fins out of the water, completely aggressive. We caught them on crabs, which is one of my favorite ways to target them. Simple, visual, and when a shark grabs a crab off the surface, everybody on the boat sees it happen. Hard to beat that kind of fishing for pure excitement.
Bonnetheads are a smaller species in the hammerhead family — most of the ones we see in Sarasota Bay run 2 to 4 feet, which is the perfect size for light tackle. Big enough to give you a serious fight, small enough to handle safely. They’re fast, they’re aggressive, and they make a lot of noise when they hit. The kids absolutely loved it.
We caught several before the bite settled down, and we could have stayed on them longer — but we had more water to cover.
About Bonnethead Sharks in Sarasota
Bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) are the most common small hammerhead species in Florida’s inshore waters, and Sarasota Bay holds a healthy population through the summer months. They’re named for their shovel-shaped head, which is a smaller, rounder version of the great hammerhead’s distinctive profile.
What makes them a great target for fishing charters is the combination of accessibility and excitement. They’re often visible on the surface in shallow water — sometimes you can spot them before you even cast. They’re not selective feeders; crabs, small fish, and shrimp will all get their attention. And on light spinning gear, a 3-foot bonnethead is a serious fight.
If you’ve got kids on the boat, bonnethead sharks have a way of making the day. Seeing a fin on the surface, making the cast, watching the shark turn and commit — that sequence never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Keeper Snapper and Grouper in the Bay
After the shark action, we moved and spent time working the bay for snapper and grouper. Good session. We put keeper snapper in the box — mangrove snapper are one of the most reliable fish in Sarasota Bay this time of year, and when you find them on the right structure, they cooperate. These did.
We also picked up a number of smaller grouper. Nothing giant, but honest fish, and it added variety to what was already shaping up to be a well-rounded morning. On an inshore bay trip like this one, the mixed bag is part of the appeal — you’re not grinding for one species, you’re moving around, reading the water, and taking what the day offers.
A Couple of Nice Snook
You can’t have a good inshore morning in Sarasota without at least a snook sighting, and today delivered. A couple of nice ones made their appearance — the kind of fish that remind you why snook have the reputation they do. They’re smart, they’re fast, and they always show up when the conditions feel right.
July is a good time for snook in Sarasota. They’re active around structure, they’re feeding aggressively in low light, and between the passes, the mangrove edges, and the bay flats, there’s no shortage of water to find them. If snook are on your list, summer is the time to be out here.
What Inshore Bay Fishing Looks Like in Sarasota in July
Today’s trip is a good snapshot of what inshore fishing in Sarasota Bay delivers this time of year. On a single morning we had sharks, snapper, grouper, and snook — four completely different species, all caught inside the bay without running offshore.
July inshore fishing in Sarasota is genuinely excellent. The water is warm, the fish are active, and early morning departures give you calm conditions and feeding fish before the heat sets in. Species to expect on an inshore bay trip right now:
- Bonnethead sharks — surface feeding, crab or cut bait, visual and exciting
- Mangrove snapper — holding on structure throughout the bay, reliable keeper-size fish
- Snook — active around mangroves, docks, and passes; summer is prime season
- Redfish — working the flats and mangrove edges, year-round resident
- Sea trout — present on the grass flats, though they prefer cooler water in summer mornings
- Grouper — smaller gag grouper holding on inshore structure
The variety is one of the best things about inshore bay fishing in Sarasota. You’re rarely grinding for just one fish. Most mornings give you a mixed bag — which is exactly what happened today.
Book an Inshore Fishing Charter in Sarasota
Sean, Zack, Zoey, and mom had a great morning — sharks on the surface, fish in the box, and a lot of laughs in between. That’s what an inshore charter out of Sarasota is supposed to look like.
If you’re ready to get on the water, I’ve got inshore trips starting at $500 for a 4-hour charter. Up to 6 guests, private boat, all gear and bait included. No fishing license required.
Call or text me at (941) 284-6274, or fill out the booking form to check availability. I’ll get back to you personally.
Let’s go fishing.
— Captain Eric Paquin Drag-On Fishing Charters · Sarasota, FL
Fishing report from July 9, 2026. Inshore charter in Sarasota Bay departing from Ken Thompson Boat Ramp, Sarasota, FL. Drag-On Charters offers private inshore and offshore fishing charters serving Sarasota, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Venice, North Port, Osprey, Nokomis, and surrounding areas.