Sarasota Bay Fishing Charters

Sarasota Bay Fishing Charters is Captain Tony Blizzard's light tackle fishing service. Tony grew up fishing in Michigan and now guides Sarasota's bays, passes and nearby Gulf reefs. His charter is designed for guests who want to handle the fishing themselves with instruction from the captain.

Contact and booking details

Hands-on fishing with Tony

Live shrimp are a favorite bait in Tony's description, supplemented by live fish, crabs and artificial lures. He mentions shrimp imitations over grass, jigs in the passes and spoons for mackerel. The method changes with the fish and conditions.

His stated priority is finding active fish before narrowing the day to one target. Possible catches include trout, redfish, snapper, sheepshead, pompano and mackerel. Gulf options may add other reef species. A request for one particular fish can mean accepting fewer bites if that species is not active.

The Panga Marquesas

The listed boat is a 23-foot Panga Marquesas with a 2007 hull and a 2019 Yamaha 150 motor. A custom T-top, bait well, built-in coolers and navigation and fishing electronics are described on the boat page.

Its layout allows bay fishing and nearby coastal trips when conditions suit. Confirm the passenger limit and current boat arrangements if your party has non-anglers or young children. Tony specifically asks for advance notice of small children so he can prepare lighter rods matched to their size.

Four-hour rates and payment

Published four-hour rates are $450 for one or two anglers and $500 for three or four. Longer outings are priced by direct inquiry. The rate includes bait, tackle, fishing-license coverage, ice, bottled water and cleaning and filleting of lawful dinner fish.

Trips normally start at 8 a.m., with some flexibility offered. The contact page says no deposit is required. Payment instructions list cash, checks, travelers checks or money orders and say cards are not accepted. Confirm current payment arrangements when agreeing the date.

Getting to Dock 3

The usual departure is the Ken Thompson boat ramp area at 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Dock 3. The site also calls it City Island Boat Ramp. New Pass gives access to both Sarasota Bay and nearby Gulf water without a long initial run.

Obtain the precise boarding instructions from Tony rather than relying only on older directions mentioning nearby attractions. Parking and marina surroundings can change. Ask whether your proposed outing stays in the bay or includes the Gulf, since that influences clothing and comfort expectations.

Pack lightly and contact the captain

Use 941-952-8312 or fishwithtony@gmail.com. A second site email is tony@fishingsarasotabay.com. Provide the number of anglers, desired duration and any young guests when booking. Ask for the current customer cancellation and weather arrangements, which are not fully detailed in the reviewed price table.

Tony recommends sun protection, secure hats, soft non-marking shoes and refreshments. Storage is limited, so avoid bulky bags and large onboard coolers. If you plan to take fish home, leave a transport cooler in the car. Winter mornings can require warmer clothing than a visitor expects.

Details checked October 11, 2026, using the operator’s published information. Rates, boats, meeting points and policies can change; confirm the final trip details directly. Listed species describe possible targets, not a guaranteed catch or an open harvest season.

Featured photo: Captain Tony Blizzard's Panga fishing boat underway. Photo from Sarasota Bay Fishing Charters.

Explore more Florida fishing charters or check local tides and weather before planning your day.