This Weeks Schedule

Venice LemonBay Kayakers

Economy Tackle / Dolphin Paddlesports

6018 S. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL. 34231.
941-922-9671
www.economytackle.com
www.floridakayak.com

Where we buy our equipment.

All kayaks and kayakers must observe all State and Federal Regulations regarding safety and navigation rules. This includes carrying a CG approved PFD that is "readily accessible" (not inside a hatch or under your seat) and an effective sound producing device such as a whistle or horn.

Special Announcement

2026 Paddling Film Festival World Tour: Economy Tackle is excited to host the 2026 Paddling Film Festival World Tour - April 22nd (Earth day) at Burns Court Cinema in Sarasota, Florida.

Be inspired to explore! Be encouraged to push boundaries! Come together in community and watch these amazing paddling films.

Doors open at 5:30pm and the show starts at 6pm. Length of show will be about 2 hours plus a 15 minute intermission.

Tickets are being sold on line at: (https://floridakayak.com/store/2026-paddling-film-festival-world-tour-ticket) and in-store.

NOTE: Paddles are subject to cancellation or change. Please check the website before you leave for the latest update.

Saturday March 14th Paddle

DeSoto Deep Creek Ramp - Nav-A-Gator: The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip on Saturday March 14th launching from DeSoto Deep Creek Ramp (by the Nav-A-Gator) east of Port Charlotte at 9:30 am. We will paddle the waters in the area. The trip will be about 3 ½ hours in duration, 7- 8 miles long, is rated as intermediate.

"Launch time of 9:30 a.m." means that you are in the water and are ready paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks, and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: The DeSoto County Deep Creek launch ramp is concrete; the Park has restroom facilities and free parking for vehicles and trailers.

Directions: If you are using I 75 use exit 170 “Kings Highway”. Go East on Kings Highway (past Wal-Mart) for 2.9 miles and turn right onto SW Peace River St. There is black and yellow billboard advertising the Navigator Bar and Grill at the turn. Follow SW Peace River St for 1.4 miles until it ends at the public boat launch. Parking is in the DeSoto Deep Creek Park. If southbound on Hwy, 41 from Venice/North Port turn left at the junction of SR 776 and 41, at Port Charlotte Town Center, onto Veterans Blvd. Follow the turns and curves on Veterans Blvd until you junction with Kings Hwy (SR769) near I 75. Turn left onto Kings Hwy and follow it under I 75 and continue to your right turn onto Peace River St.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Wednesday March 18th Paddle

Telegraph Creek: The Venice Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30am on, Wednesday March 18th, launching from the WP Franklin Lock South Recreation Area on the Caloosahatchee River just east of Fort Myers. The destination is west on the Caloosahatchee for a short distance then into Telegraph Creek. The trip will be about 4 hours in duration, 6 to 8 miles long, depending on how far you paddle up Telegraph Creek, rated intermediate.

“Launch time of 9:30am” means you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: Located on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River section of the Okeechobee Waterway, W.P. Franklin Lock Recreation Area has a tropical atmosphere that provides an excellent setting for visitors to swim, fish, picnic, boat, or enjoy hours of quiet contemplation. Visitors can view manatees, abundant bird life, and watch boats locking.

Directions: From the Venice area take I-75 south to exit 141 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd). Turn left onto State Road 80 east for about 7½ miles. Look for and follow the large brown WP Franklin Lock sign on Hwy 80 for the left turn onto Old Olga Rd (this will be the second Old Olga Rd intersection you will see) then follow the brown signs leading you into the Franklin Lock Recreation Area. Drive straight ahead into the “Observation Area” parking. Do not turn left into the “Beach or Boat ramp” area. This launch site is 6 miles farther down Hwy 80 than “Manatee Park Orange River” we have paddled several times.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Saturday March 21st Paddle

Ponce De Leon Park: The Venice Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30am on Saturday March 21st, launching from Ponce De Leon Park in Punta Gorda. The destination will be to several canals and mangrove tunnels in the area and return. The trip will be about 3 ½ hours in duration, 7 miles long, is rated as easy/intermediate. The recommended launch site is the beach to the right, just pass the wildlife rehabilitation center.

“Launch time of 9:30am” means that you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: The Park has full facilities. The ramp is concrete and parking is asphalt. Nearby is a wildlife rehabilitation center. This is a Punta Gorda city park so there are no Charlotte County fees to park or launch.

Directions: If southbound on I-75 take exit 164 at Punta Gorda down to the stoplight. Then turn left heading west on Hwy 17 (Marion Ave). Follow Marion Ave and it will take you right into the park. If southbound on Hwy. 41 from the North Port area cross the Peace River Bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge, turn right (west) at a traffic light onto Marion Ave. and follow it west into the Park. If northbound on Hwy. 41 in Punta Gorda, continue northward to the traffic light at West Marion Ave., turn right and follow the above directions.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Wednesday March 25th Paddle

Snook Haven County Park Boat Ramp - The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Wednesday March 25th, at the Snook Haven County Park Boat Ramp east of Venice with a destination of paddling up or the Myakka River and return. This trip will be about 3-4 hours in duration, 7-8 miles long, rated intermediate.

NOTE: After the paddle there will be a potluck lunch (bring dish to share) and a meeting to select April paddles.

“Launch time of 9:30 am,” means you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: The Snook Haven launch area is a boat ramp; parking is sand, grass and gravel. There are porta-potty and picnic tables.

Directions: From I-75 Exit 191, go south on River Road to Venice Avenue. Turn left at the light onto Venice Ave, a dirt road leading to Snook Haven Restaurant, and follow it until you see the “Boat Ramp” sign on the left and Camp Venice Retreat on the right.

From Hwy. 41 in South Venice turn north at the traffic light onto River Road and go about 4.5 miles to Venice Ave, a dirt road leading to Snook Haven Restaurant, and follow it until you see the “Boat Ramp” sign on the left and Camp Venice Retreat on the right.

From Hwy. 41 in “central” Venice go east about six miles on Venice Ave and continue straight at the traffic light crossing River Rd onto the dirt road leading to Snook Haven Restaurant, and follow it until you see the “Boat Ramp” sign on the left and Camp Venice Retreat on the right.

THINK SAFETY FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Saturday March 28th Paddle

Blackburn Point West: The Venice Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Saturday March 28th, launching from Blackburn Point Park West Kayak Launch site (just west of the ICW on the north side of the road) to waters in the area. This trip will be about 3-4 hours in duration, 6 – 7 miles long, is rated intermediate.

Launch time of 9:30am means that you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: There are picnic tables, trashcans, BBQ grills, and restrooms..

Directions: From Hwy 41 in Osprey turn west onto Blackburn Point Rd. Cross over the bridge, Blackburn Point Park West Kayak Launch site on your right, across from the Case Key Fish House. Parking lot is shared with the Sarasota County Rowing Club.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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All trips have a Launch Time of 9:30am. unless shown otherwise in the trip details.

"Launch Time" means you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow sufficient time for travel, unloading equipment and preparing for the trip.

On any trip extending past official sunset all kayaks must carry a White light that is visible for at least one mile or be equipped with approved Red, Green and White navigation lights.