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.

   Wednesday April 22nd Paddle

Shell Creek – Hathaway Park: The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Wednesday April 22nd launching from Hathaway Park (north east of Punta Gorda) with a destination of paddling down the scenic Shell Creek to the dam and return. The trip will be 3 ½ to 4 hours in duration, 8 ½ to 9 miles long, rated as intermediate.

Note:   After the paddle there will be potluck lunch (bring a dish to share); hot dogs & buns will be provided.   After lunch we will select the paddle locations for May.

"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 Park has porta-potty, picnic tables, and trashcans.

Directions: Going south on I-75. At Punta Gorda, take Exit 164 and go northeast on Hwy. 17 toward Acadia. Go about 4.2 miles and look right for the Royal Thai Restaurant, go just beyond a large yellowish “Shell Creek Park” billboard and turn right onto Washington Loop Road which is also marked as CR 764. Go about 4.5 miles and watch for the Shell Creek Mobile Home Park on the left; just beyond that on the left is the entrance to Hathaway Park. The first left goes to the boat ramp.   The second left takes you to the paddle craft site If driving south on Hwy 41 cross the Peace River into Punta Gorda and get into the left hand lane. Turn left on Olympia Ave (which is Hwy 17) and follow it east under I 75, through Cleveland, to your turn onto Washington Loop Rd.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

***************************************************************************

Saturday April 25th Paddle

Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area: The Venice Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30am on Saturday April 25th, launching from the # 1 boat ramp at Webb Lake in the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area with a destination of paddling around the Islands and Bays in Webb Lake. This trip will be about 7 miles long, 3 hours in duration, rated intermediate.

NOTE: The launch site is boat ramp #1.

“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: This is a State of Florida Fish & Wildlife Management Area and you will find a collection point at the entrance of the Area. There is a $3.00 per person fee $6.00 max per vehicle to enter the Preserve. It is free if you are 65 or older and a Florida resident, children under 16, or certified disabled persons. (Cash ONLY) We will be launching from # 1 boat ramp off the sand/gravel/grass areas on either side of the concrete ramp. There is ample parking at the launch site. No other facilities are at this launch site but there are restrooms at the entrance and on the ½ mile drive along the lake.

Address: Tuckers Grade, Punta Gorda, FL 33982

Directions: Going south on I-75, take exit 158, Truckers Grade/Cecil B. Webb exit. At the end of the off ramp turn left, go under I-75 and you will enter the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Preserve. If you are under 65 stop and put 3 dollars per person into a provided envelope and drop it into the receptacle. Then proceed straight ahead to the Ranger Station and turn right (south) and follow the paved road along the lake for 1/2 miles to the # 1 boat ramp. The launch area in on the left.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

*********************************************************************
Saturday April 29th Paddle

Vamo Park: The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Saturday April 29th, launching from Vamo Park in Sarasota Bay and paddle in mangroves, than cross over to Midnight Pass Beach and waters in the area. The trip will be about 3 ½ hours in duration, 7 miles long, 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 no facilities at Vamo. There is a relatively small sandy parking (10 cars) area between fences in a residential area. The launch site is a shallow sandy area on the ICW.

Address: 1690 Vamo Dr, Sarasota, FL 34231

Directions: When traveling southeast on Hwy. 41 in South Sarasota turn right (south) onto Vamo Way at the traffic light at the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall. Continue south and look to the right for two off-white stucco columns and turn right (west) onto Vamo Drive into Vamo County Park. If northbound from Venice on Hwy. 41 go just north of McIntosh and North Point Roads (the entrance Palmer Ranch is on the right and the Oaks Preserve is on the left) and get in the left-hand lane. Turn left (west) and cross over southbound Hwy. 41 (there is no traffic light here) onto Vamo Way. Just as the road turns right (north), look left for the stucco columns then go left onto Vamo Drive into the Park.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD.

*********************************************************************

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.