Buttonwood Harbor
The launch is located at appx. 3454 Gulf of Mexico Dr. There is a beach access on the west side of the road with overflow parking on the east side. You’ll park on the east side. Be careful to not park on the land for the old restaurant. Please move your vehicle so that it does not block other users of the launch.
You’ll launch through the mangroves into Buttonwood Harbor. Lot’s of fishy areas from shallow flats to deep edges. The edge heading out to Bishops Point is good, as is the area around Whale Key.
Joan M. Durante Park
This launch will give you access to Long Bar. Turn east off of Gulf of Mexico drive onto GulfBay Drive. This is appx. 5550 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Go to the east end of GulfBay Drive and bear left to the grassy parking area within Durante park. Park smartly so you do not block the launch or the access road.
You’ll launch through the mangroves into a very muddy finder canal. Once you paddle to the end of the finger canal, head due east for about a mile and you’ll be at the west end of Long Bar. You will cross a funneled section of the intercoastal so watch for boats.
North Bridge to Siesta Key
This is off Siesta Drive in Sarasota. You’ll park and launch at the north east corner of the bridge. It is a launch off a seawall but it is into very shallow water. Find the concrete block steps that have been set up. If you have some, bring a block or two and add it to the pile.
Once you launch, you have lots of options depending on what you’re looking for. Check the aerial below.
Phillippi Estate Park
This is a public park with a dedicated canoe/kayak launch on Phillippi Creek. Once you pull in to the park, follow the signs to the launch.
Once you launch, you can fish either up or down the creek. Check out the aerial pic below
Turtle Beach Park
This is a county park at the south end of Siesta Key. Launch in the boat basin and head south. Once you turn the corner, you have several options. Flats, deep water, edges – take your pick.
Blackburn Point
This launch is just west of the historic swing bridge on Blackburn Point Road in south Sarasota. Plenty of directions to head from here. One word of caution – watch the tides. The flow is very heavy through this section of the intercoastal.
North Jetty Park
This launch is in Venice, at the south end of Casey Key. It is right at the Venice Inlet. From the launch, you can head into Lyons, Donna and Roberts Bays. All hold fish at certain times of the year. This is another launch where you want to watch out for heavy current and boat traffic.
