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 March 4th paddle

Allapatchee Park (Alligator Creek):The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday March 4th, launching from Allapatchee Park in Punta Gorda with a destination of the South branch of Alligator Creek, then through several new mangrove tunnels and small lakes leading to Charlotte Harbor and return.  This trip will be about 3 1/2 hours in duration, 7-8 miles long, is rated intermediate.

"Launch time of 9:30 a. m." 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 paddle craft launch site.  The ramp is concrete, parking is sand/grass, and is in a residential area. There are no fees and no facilities. The last part of the road is gravel.

Directions: From I-75 Exit 161, go west on Jones Loop Road until it connects to Hwy. 41. Turn left (south) on Hwy. 41 cross the bridge over Alligator Creek, and get in the left hand lane. Turn left onto Acline Road. To the right front of the Hwy. 41 and Acline Rd. intersection, there is a Sweetbay market which makes for a good landmark. There is no traffic light at the intersection. After turning left on to Acline Rd., continue east, cross railroad tracks, and turn left at the first road, which is Oakview Lane. On Oakview Lane, take the first left on to Pine Lane, then left again on to Hickory Ct where you will see a sign for Allapatchee Park. Continue into the Park.  If southbound on Hwy. 41 in Punta Gorda, cross the Burnt Store Road intersection, cross Alligator Creek, and follow the above directions.  This launch ramp is 2.7 miles from I-75 exit 161.

                       SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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​                                        Saturday March 7th Paddle

William R Gaines Jr, Veterans Memorial Park (Sunrise Park)- Port Charlotte: The Venice Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a paddle with a launch time of 9:30 am on Saturday March 7th,  launching from at Sunrise Park with a destination of Triple Lake.  The trip will be about 3 ½ - 4 hours in duration about 10 miles long, rated intermediate.

“Launch time of 9:30 am” 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:  Sunrise Park (William R Gaines Jr Veterans Memorial Park) is comprised of 40 acres of open space with active and passive amenities. It is contiguous to the Sunrise Waterway and adjacent to 114 acres of a State buffer that is part of the Charlotte Harbor State Reserve. PARK AMENITIES include Tennis Courts, Fishing Pier, Walking Trail, Canoe/Kayak Launch, Trash Cans, Picnic Table with Shelter and Restrooms.  The launch area is sand; parking in launch area is shell.  Parking in the Tennis Court/restroom area is blacktop.  There is NO launch or parking fee at this park.

Directions:  From the Venice area take Hwy 41 south through North Port and into Port Charlotte.  Get into the right hand lane and turn right onto Port Charlotte Blvd.  Follow Port Charlotte Blvd south for 1 mile to the stop sign at Edgewater Dr.  Turn right onto Edgewater Dr and follow it for 0.3 of a mile to the (4) intersection on your right.  This is S. Waterway Dr NW.   Turn left into William R Gaines Jr Veterans Memorial Park (Sunrise Park). (Note South Waterway drive is horseshoe shaped so you will see two intersections with the same name.  You want the second one coming from east to west.)

From Sarasota take I 75 south to Exit 191 – North River Road and follow it to Hwy 41.  Turn left onto 41 and follow the above directions.

                       SAFETY COMES FIRST.  ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

​                 ***************************************************************************
                         Wednesday March 11th Paddle

Vamo Park:  The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Wednesday March 11th , 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 (14 cars) area between fences in a residential area. The launch site is a shallow sandy area on the ICW.

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.
                          *************************************************************************
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

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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.