When red snapper are around Sarasota
Red snapper fishing out of Sarasota runs June through August, according to FishingBooker’s Sarasota calendar. Plan your run, your structure and your fuel load around that summer window. For the whole coast, see the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
If you are new to the port, the Sarasota port page describes the water you will be running into. For red snapper across the Gulf, the regional guide covers the wider picture.
Three things shape a Sarasota snapper day:
- The window is June through August.
- The fish are in federal water for the trips that matter.
- The run is long enough that you should plan it the night before.
The Sarasota Offshore Shootout
The Sarasota Offshore Shootout runs in July and carries a Calcutta for top aggregate red snapper weight. If you fish it, your pre-fishing falls in the June part of the window.
How far Sarasota boats run
Sarasota red snapper trips run in federal water, usually up to 70 miles offshore, per FishingBooker. For a sense of how long the day is, Kokomo sells 10-12 hour trips for red snapper, grouper and amberjack. That is a full offshore day, so size your fuel, ice and daylight plan to match.
Run distances from New Pass vary widely:
| Run | Distance from New Pass |
|---|---|
| I-2 Fisher and I-1 Silvertooth reefs | 1.43 to 1.74 nm |
| Cuda Hole / Table Rock and The Gully | 9.54 to 10.29 miles |
| Old Barge and Swiss Cheese | 17.69 to 18 miles |
| Federal red snapper trips | Up to 70 miles |
These figures show where the structure sits. How far you actually run depends on your boat, your fuel and the forecast.
Reading conditions before the run
The nearest NDBC station is C-MAN VENF1 at Venice, FL, 27.072 N 82.453 W. Check wind, wave height and period there, then read the official NWS marine forecast before you leave the dock. VENF1 reports conditions at one point on the coast, which may differ from the water you will be fishing.
Grounds and structure off New Pass
Red snapper fishing out of Sarasota starts with the structure off New Pass. Named reefs sit inside 2 nm, ledges sit near 10 miles, and the deeper grounds are about 18 miles out. Distances are measured from the point listed.
| Spot | Type | Depth (ft) | Bearing (° magnetic) | Distance | Measured from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-2 Fisher | reef | 30 | 239 | 1.43 nm | New Pass |
| I-1 Silvertooth | reef | 25 | 187 | 1.74 nm | New Pass |
| Point of Rocks (Siesta Key) | Off Siesta Key beach | ||||
| Cuda Hole / Table Rock | ledge | 49 | 246 | 9.54 miles | New Pass Gulf marker |
| The Gully | – | 259 | 10.29 miles | New Pass | |
| Casey Key Beach / Grassy Key | ledge | 25 | 152 | 11 nm | |
| Old Barge | 80 | 249.6 | 17.69 miles | New Pass | |
| Swiss Cheese | 70-85+ | about 250 | 18 miles | New Pass |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Chart layers and spot lists are not for navigation. Check every position against your chart and plotter before you run.
Nearshore reefs and ledges
The close structure is the first group of spots to know.
- I-2 Fisher reef: 30 ft, 1.43 nm at 239 degrees magnetic from New Pass.
- I-1 Silvertooth reef: 25 ft, 1.74 nm at 187 degrees magnetic from New Pass.
- Point of Rocks: off Siesta Key beach.
- Casey Key Beach / Grassy Key ledges: 25 ft, 11 nm at 152 degrees magnetic, with 5-8 ft ledges.
The 10-mile ledges
Cuda Hole / Table Rock is a ledge in 49 ft, 246 degrees magnetic and 9.54 miles from the New Pass Gulf marker. The Gully lies 259 degrees magnetic and 10.29 miles from New Pass, so the two bearings are 13 degrees apart.
The 18-mile grounds
Old Barge sits in 80 ft, 249.6 degrees magnetic and 17.69 miles from New Pass. Swiss Cheese sits in 70-85+ ft, about 250 degrees magnetic and 18 miles from New Pass. The two lie on nearly the same heading, so they can be paired on a single run out.
How red snapper are fished here, and who fishes them
Sarasota boats bottom fish for red snapper on wrecks, reefs and ledges. For species-level detail on tackle and handling, see the reef fish guides.
Three groups fish this water:
- Private boats running their own federal-water trips from New Pass.
- Charters such as Kokomo, running 10-12 hour trips for red snapper, grouper and amberjack.
- Tournament teams chasing the July red snapper Calcutta at the Shootout.
FAQ about red snapper fishing out of Sarasota
When is red snapper season in Sarasota?
Red snapper fishing out of Sarasota runs June through August, per FishingBooker’s Sarasota calendar. The Shootout runs in July. Open days are set by the agencies, so check FWC and the federal rules before you go.
How far offshore do you run for red snapper out of Sarasota?
Federal-water trips usually run up to 70 miles offshore. The named grounds sit 17.69 to 18 miles from New Pass. Kokomo’s 10-12 hour trips give an idea of how long a full offshore day runs.
What structure lies near New Pass?
I-2 Fisher and I-1 Silvertooth reefs sit at 1.43 and 1.74 nm. Cuda Hole / Table Rock and The Gully sit near 10 miles. Old Barge and Swiss Cheese sit near 18 miles. Spot lists are not for navigation, so check them against your chart.
What is the Sarasota Offshore Shootout Calcutta?
The Shootout is a July tournament. Its Calcutta pays on top aggregate red snapper weight.
Which buoy should I check before running offshore from Sarasota?
Use NDBC C-MAN VENF1 at Venice, 27.072 N 82.453 W. Check wind, wave height and period there, then read the NWS marine forecast. The station reports conditions at one point on the coast.
Where are the rules for Sarasota red snapper?
The trips run in federal water. Check the federal Gulf reef fish rules and FWC before fishing. This page gives no limits or dates.
