Some trips have a moment that makes the whole morning. For the Barnet family, it was a shark — and the fact that mom was the one who caught it made it even better.
The Barnets came out for a 4-hour charter, a group of four with a young son who had one thing on his list: catch a shark. We targeted snapper, snook, grouper, and shark around Siesta Key and Sarasota Bay — and we found all of them. But I’ll let the shark story lead.
Mom Catches the Shark
One of the things I love about family charters is that they’re unpredictable in the best way. The kids have goals. The parents are just trying to keep up. And sometimes the fish have other plans entirely.
The Barnet son had his heart set on catching a shark. We were working for it — and when the shark finally bit, mom got to it first. She fought it, landed it, and the whole boat loved it. Her son wasn’t going to let her forget it any time soon, either.
The great news: the Barnets are already planning to come back. And next time, we’re getting that shark in the kid’s hands. I don’t leave unfinished business on the water.
Bonnethead sharks are one of my favorite species to target on family inshore charters. They’re active, they’re visual, and they give everyone on the boat something to react to. A shark eat is not a subtle thing — and for a kid who wants fishing to be exciting, there’s nothing better.
Snapper for the Dinner Table on Siesta Key
The other story of the morning was snapper. We found them in good numbers around Siesta Key and in Sarasota Bay, and the Barnets left with plenty of fish for dinner. Mangrove snapper are one of the most reliable catches on an inshore charter in Sarasota this time of year, and when you put them in the right spot on the right tide, they cooperate.
Snapper fishing near Siesta Key is one of those things that looks easy from the outside — drop the bait, catch a fish. The reality is there’s a lot of reading the water involved. Structure, current, depth, what bait they want on a given day. Get those variables right and you can catch snapper until you’re tired of catching snapper. The Barnets had plenty for the table.
We also worked through snook and grouper during the session, staying mobile and covering water until we found what was biting. Moving spots is part of it — I’d rather run to where the fish are than wait for fish that aren’t showing up.
Fishing Near Siesta Key — What to Know
Siesta Key is one of the most productive inshore fisheries in the Sarasota area, and it’s one of my most consistent destinations on a 4-hour charter. The combination of Sarasota Bay, the flats, the mangrove edges, and the passes around Siesta Key gives you access to a wide range of species without having to run far.
What makes Siesta Key fishing particularly good in the summer:
- Mangrove snapper are holding on structure throughout the bay and near the passes — reliable keeper-size fish and excellent table fare
- Snook are active around the mangrove shorelines and dock pilings, especially in the early morning
- Bonnethead sharks feed on the flats and in shallow water — visible, exciting, and great on light tackle
- Gag grouper hold on inshore structure and ledges within the bay
- Redfish work the grass flats and mangrove edges year-round
On a 4-hour charter targeting Siesta Key, I typically cover the bay, work structure for snapper and grouper, run the edges for snook, and look for sharks on the flats. It’s a lot of fishing in four hours — which is exactly what the Barnets experienced.
What the Barnet Family Said
The Barnets are the kind of guests who make this job everything it is. They fish every year on vacation, no matter where they go — and they took the time to leave this review after their trip:
“We went on a Fishing trip today with Captain Eric & had a Blast! Every year, no matter where we vacation we always do a fishing trip with our Family. So far, Eric has been the Best Captain we’ve ever had!! He had us on Fish Super Quick & if they weren’t biting in a spot he moved us along quickly. He always had bait on our poles (4 people), we caught multiple different types of Fish, even a Shark!! It was a Great Day & we would highly recommend a day with Eric.”
— The Barnet Family
Best Captain they’ve ever had. I don’t take that lightly. Every family that comes out on this boat deserves to have a morning like theirs — fish in the box, a story to tell, and a reason to come back.
Book a Siesta Key Fishing Charter
If you’re visiting Sarasota or Siesta Key and want a fishing trip your family will actually talk about — sharks, snapper, snook, and everything in between — I’m your captain.
Four-hour inshore charters start at $500 for up to 6 guests. Private boat, all gear and bait included, no fishing license required. I depart from Ken Thompson Boat Ramp in Sarasota, just minutes from Siesta Key.
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 15, 2026. 4-hour inshore charter fishing Siesta Key and Sarasota Bay, departing from Ken Thompson Boat Ramp, Sarasota, FL. Drag-On Charters offers private fishing charters serving Sarasota, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Venice, Osprey, Nokomis, and surrounding areas.