Tarpon fishing in Sarasota County
5 rated shore spots in Sarasota County hold tarpon — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Tarpon forecast map for Sarasota County
Every spot colored by how it fishes for tarpon right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the ebb tide.
Size, bag and season rules in Sarasota County
Catch and release only
Sarasota County
Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Keeping
- Return every fish
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · checked Sep 30, 2026
A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.
Check FWC rulesBest tarpon spots in Sarasota County
1North Jetty, NokomisGood · 77ReliableRolling at the inlet mouth at dawn in early summer; hard to land from rocks, so release them quickly in the water.2Venice Fishing PierGood · 78Worth a tryEarly-summer migrants roll past the end; live threadfin under a float, and release them without lifting from the water.3Nokomis Community ParkGood · 76Worth a tryJuvenile fish roll in the creek on calm summer mornings; small plugs or live shrimp, released in the water.4Indian Mound Park, EnglewoodGood · 78Shows occasionallyJuvenile fish roll in the bay on calm summer mornings; small plugs or live bait, released in the water.5Siesta BeachGood · 76Shows occasionallyBig schools pass along Sarasota's beaches in June but are rarely hooked from the sand; follow FWC release rules.
Tactics for tarpon
Top baits, best first
- Threadfin Herring
- Finger Mullet
- Blue Crab
- Live Pinfish
Rigs that work, best first
- Tarpon Circle-Hook Rig
- Freeline Live Bait
- Slip Float Rig
