Egmont Key
Egmont Key Fishing Charter
The run out to Egmont Key, with nearshore fishing around the island and a snorkel stop on request.
From $425 for three hours · priced per boat, not per person · six anglers maximum
What we fish
Nearshore species around the island.
On request
A snorkel stop at Egmont Key.
Where we launch
801 Riverside Dr E, Bradenton, FL 34208. Free parking on site.
An island you can only reach by boat
Egmont Key sits in the mouth of Tampa Bay as a state park and national wildlife refuge. There is no bridge and no road — every visitor arrives by water.
A lighthouse and a fort
The lighthouse has stood since 1858. The brick remains of Fort Dade, built around the Spanish-American War, are still there, and part of the old fort now sits below the waterline as the shore has moved.
Why boats come here
Clear water on the Gulf side, gopher tortoises on the trails, and the fort ruins visible from the boat. It is a common stop on family trips, and a snorkel stop can be added on request.
Mouth of the bay
An Egmont Key Fishing Charter: Fishing, Snorkelling and History
Egmont Key sits where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, and you can only get there by boat. The water around it fishes well, the lighthouse has stood since 1858, and the ruins of Fort Dade are still on the island.
An Egmont Key fishing charter puts all of that into one day, with a snorkel stop on request.
The run out
Trips leave from 801 Riverside Dr E in Bradenton, with free parking, then run down the Manatee River and across lower Tampa Bay to the island.
The crossing is part of the experience. The 2021 Parker 25′ centre console has a Deep-V hull and twin Yamahas, so it handles open water comfortably, and the run is only made when conditions are right.
What the crossing is like
The run across the lower bay is open water, so it can be bumpy when the wind is up. On calm days it’s an easy, scenic ride, with the lighthouse coming into view as you get close. Anyone prone to motion sickness should take their usual precautions before the trip.
Where the bay meets the Gulf
Tide pours through the shipping channel and the passes either side of the island, and moving water draws fish. Depending on the season, the trip may target snapper, grouper and kingfish over nearshore structure, or snook and tarpon around the passes in summer.
Nearshore fishing here depends on the season and the weather, so call to check what’s running. When the Gulf side is lively, the bay side and the channel edges nearby can still be worth fishing.
Fishing on the way out and back
The run to Egmont Key crosses some good water. Depending on the tide, the trip might stop on the lower bay flats on the way out, fish around the island in the middle of the day, then work a shoreline or channel edge on the way home.
That flexibility is one reason a longer day suits this trip. You’re never tied to one spot, and if one area is slow there’s another on the route.
Snorkelling off the island
The Gulf side of the island often has clear, shallow water, which makes it a good place to stop and swim. Ask for a snorkel stop when you book, and ask about snorkel gear at the same time.
Families like the break. A swim between fishing spots keeps younger anglers fresh for the ride home.
A state park with a past
Egmont Key is a state park and a national wildlife refuge. The lighthouse has guided ships into Tampa Bay since 1858. The brick ruins of Fort Dade still stand, and as the shoreline has shifted, parts of the old fort now sit in the water.
The island is also known for its gopher tortoises and seabirds, and parts of its beaches are protected for nesting wildlife.
Making a day of it
With the run out and back, Egmont Key suits a longer charter. A six or eight hour full day fishing charter leaves time to fish around the island, stop for a swim and fish the bay on the way home without watching the clock.
Bring sun protection you can reapply, a hat and polarised sunglasses, plus a towel and dry clothes if you plan to swim. Ice and bottled water are aboard, so pack lunch and snacks.
Summer storms tend to build over the bay in the afternoon. An early start usually means the calmest crossing.
Who it’s for
Families get fishing, swimming and a bit of history in one trip. Keen anglers get variety, with nearshore fish around the island and the passes on the way. First-time visitors to Bradenton see the river, the bay and the Gulf in a single day.
There’s no minimum age, and every charter is private, for up to six anglers.
Questions people ask
What if it’s too rough to cross?
The run is only made when it’s safe and comfortable. If it isn’t, Charlie will suggest sheltered water in the river or the bay, or talk to you about moving the trip.
Is it a good trip for kids?
Yes. The lighthouse and a swim make it a highlight for a lot of families, and kids’ rods are aboard.
Can we go ashore on the island?
Ask when you book. The trip is planned around fishing and an optional snorkel stop, and what’s possible depends on the day.
In the price
What is Included on a Egmont Key Fishing Charter
Rods, reels and tackle
Bait
Ice
Bottled water
Fish cleaning
Kids’ rods
Your fishing licence
The boat
The Boat - 25ft Parker Centre Console with Twin Yamahas
2021 Parker 25′ centre console
Twin Yamaha outboards
Power Pole Move trolling motor
EPIRB emergency beacon
Deep-V hull
Six anglers maximum
Book a trip
Book a Egmont Key Fishing Charter
Check availability
Nautical Native Fishing Adventures
801 Riverside Dr E, Bradenton, FL 34208
Free parking on site
Charters we run here
