Longboat Pass

Longboat Key Pass is the body of water that separates Longboat Key from Anna Maria Island. It is part of Coquina Beach.

Longboat Pass, located on the west coast of Florida, offers a variety of fish and shark species that can be caught. Some popular targets include Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Tarpon, and Blacktip Sharks.

Address: Longboat Key, FL 34228
Parking Fee: None
Fishing License: Yes, Unless Except

To catch these fish and sharks, you’ll need to use appropriate fishing bait and tackle. Here are some recommendations:

1. Snook: Snook are often attracted to live bait such as pilchards, pinfish, or shrimp. You can also use artificial baits like jerkbaits or soft plastic jigs. For tackle, medium to heavy spinning rods with a 15-30 lb test line are suitable.

2. Redfish: Redfish are known to go for live or cut bait, such as shrimp, mullet, or pinfish. Soft plastic lures resembling baitfish are also effective. Use medium-weight spinning or baitcasting gear, with 10-20 lb test line.

3. Speckled Trout: Speckled Trout can be enticed with live shrimp or small baitfish. Artificial baits like soft plastic paddle-tail jigs or topwater lures work well too. Light to medium spinning rods with 6-12 lb test line are appropriate.

4. Tarpon: Tarpon often prefer live bait such as mullet, crabs, or threadfin herring. Large artificial lures like swimbaits or crankbaits can also be successful. Use heavy spinning or conventional rods with 30-80 lb test line.

5. Blacktip Sharks: For Blacktip Sharks, large chunks of cut bait like mullet, ladyfish, or bonito are effective baits. Strong and sturdy tackle is necessary, such as heavy spinning or conventional rods with 50-80 lb test line and steel leaders.
Inshore/Coastal:

Cobia: Spring-early fall
Gulf flounder: Fall-spring
Ladyfish: Fall-early winter
Mullet: Fall-early winter
Pompano: Fall-spring
Red drum: Year-round
Sheepshead: Fall-early spring
Snook**: Spring-summer
Spotted seatrout**: Year-round
Tarpon: Spring-early summer
Always check local fishing regulations and guidelines before heading out to ensure you are fishing within the law and preserving the ecosystem.