sarasota – Page 5 – Riviera Dunes Marina

Hooked On Fishing?

09/21/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Hooked On Fishing?By Hannah M. Reel in The Big One!Are you getting ready for your fishing trip on the sparkling waters of St. John’s River or Lake George? Whether you’re a new angler or “reel” expert, good fishermen are always looking for new tricks to help lure the best catch. Reeling in the big one can be fishy business, but fear no fish! Here are some great tips that will have you ready to tackle anything!Got Bait?When choosing what kind of bait to bring for the ultimate catch, live bait is always preferred! Worms and smaller fish are most commonly used and proven to be most successful. Freshwater fishing? Here’s a basic beginner tackle box guide to start with!Location is KeyToday there are many tools available to aid your fishing needs! Electronic fish finders are widely used and a certain way of leading you directly to the best fishing spots. If you’re new to the game, make sure you bring a...

An Evening on The Town: Sarasota Nightlife

08/31/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The fun never ends in Sarasota!Sarasota, the endless adventure and ideal vacation! If you’re looking to wind down after a day in Sunny Sarasota on the sparkling white sand beaches, there’s plenty of nighttime shenanigans to get in to. The combination of restaurants and bars offering happy hour and seafood specials with a breathtaking waterview makes Sarasota the place to be on The Gulf Coast! Mix in some live music from local artists and you’re sure to have a time to remember. The only dilemma you may face is deciding where go for the night. Below are Sarasota nightlife essentials, and regardless of where you choose, you’re sure to be in for a cool coastal time!Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar Live music, over a dozen frozen daiquiri options, happy hour specials, and an amazing tree top view, Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar is a MUST DO! A deck overlooking The Gulf of Mexico and Lido Beach, with stunning sunset views from the...

Why You Should Vacation to Sarasota, FL

03/23/201803/23/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Why You Should Vacation to Sarasota, FL If you’re on the fence about where your next vacation should be, look no further! When you vacation to Sarasota, you’ll have nonstop fun from the moment you arrive to the second you return home. With stunning nature parks, local events, theme parks and miles of glistening beaches, there is so much to love about a vacation to Sarasota.In case you’re not convinced yet, here are some of the top reasons why you should vacation here: We’re family-friendly!Sarasota is a popular destination for all, but families will especially enjoy our area. From its sandy beaches and amusement parks to its landmarks and abundant outdoor activities, time for fun in the sun never ends when in Sarasota. You’ll never tire of the white sandy beaches.Spend your day among the miles and miles of white sandy beaches during your vacation to Sarasota. Did you know that Siesta Key Beach has been rated the No. 1 beach in...

5 Sportfish You’ll Find in Sarasota

11/16/201711/16/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

5 Sportfish You’ll Find in SarasotaWhen you’re not enjoying a leisurely ride through the waters of Sarasota and the surrounding areas, there are plenty of opportunities for you to go sportfishing here! Here are five of the predominant sportish you will find in our area. Flounder With its lighter brown to darker brown body and whiter underside, flounder is a popular sportfish you’ll discover here. You'll know you've found flounder when you see both of its eyes on the left side of its body. You can find these on sandy bottoms inshore on channel edges. However, males are typically found offshore. Live shrimp, sand fleas and pinfish are great bait to use for flounder. Look in City Island Flats, Big Pass and Tony Saprito Pier to start.Red DrumKnown for their copper-bronze bodies, large scales and spotted tails, red drum are another popular sportfish to you'll see during your afternoon on Sarasota waters. Look to City Island Flats, San Remo Basin and Roberts Bay to begin your search. Like flounder, red drum...

The 2017 Siesta Key Crystal Classic is This Weekend!

11/09/201711/09/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The 2017 Siesta Key Crystal Classic is This Weekend!It's that time of the year! Make sure to clear your schedules because the 8th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic is back again this weekend and ready to wow you with amazing sand masterpieces!Every year, professional sand sculptors from around the world come to Sarasota to participate in this international sandsculpting festival. Luckily, for us, the event is in our own stomping grounds, and we don’t have to travel too far to be a part of this exciting and unique annual event.Here’s everything you need to know about the 2017 Siesta Key Crystal Classic:This year, artists hail from Canada, Czech Republic, Amsterdam, Lithuania, Singapore and various states in the U.S.Kicking off this Friday, you can view and vote for the masterpieces crafted by master sand sculptors. For four days, there will be live music, a party tent and dining tent as well as shopping vendors. Looking to learn more about sandsculpting? There will be demonstrations and lessons...

August 2017: Fun Things to Do in Sarasota

08/11/201708/11/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

August 2017: Fun Things to Do in SarasotaLooking for fun things to do this month? While summer is nearly over, there are still plenty of things to do in the Sarasota area! Here’s your guide for weekend fun in the Sarasota area for August 2017.This weekend, Aug. 11–13, head to Historic Spanish Point in Osprey for a docent-guided walking tour! During this enriching tour, you’ll get to experience the history, architecture and nature of Old Florida. For home goods lovers, you’ll enjoy perusing the vintage and antique goods at Vintiquity Lane’s European-style, monthly market on Aug. 19–20. It’s also important to note that this market opens every third weekend of the month in Sarasota’s Design District, which is located at 1540 N. Lime Ave. At the market, you will discover repurposed, kitschy home treasures, clothing and other unique artifacts from yesteryear. Here are the upcoming market hours:Saturday—8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday—10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.If you haven’t heard by now, Venice, FL is known...

Sarasota’s Siesta Beach is the #1 Beach in the U.S.

06/02/201706/02/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Sarasota's Siesta Beach is the #1 Beach in the U.S.Sarasota's Siesta Beach has been awarded the No. 1 beach in the country by Professor Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman! This is the second time that Siesta Beach has been acclaimed in the last seven years. It's no surprise to us here at Riviera Dunes Marina! With its glistening white sand, Siesta Beach is a beautiful beach to visit year-round! Visitors flock to the beach every year for the crystal clear waters, fantastic shelling opportunities and much more. The beach has also been renovated recently to offer more parking opportunities as well as a free trolley for beachgoers to utilize.Dr. Beach rates beaches from all over the country using 50 different criteria in order to score them for a total of 250 points. Siesta Beach scored a 238 out of 250 points! Some of the criteria included in the list are amenities, noise level, public safety, color of sand, number of sunny days and much more. The...

7 Things We Love About Sarasota, FL

03/31/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

7 Things We Love About Sarasota, FLFrom secret shops to manatees, what's not to love about Sarasota, FL? Whether it's your first visit to Sarasota or your fiftieth, there are many things to discover about this beloved county.Here are our top seven things we love about Sarasota:1. Foodie paradiseCatering to everyone from the vegans to the meat lovers, Sarasota has it all. If you're looking for the freshest vegetables in season, there are also plenty of local farmers markets where you can find delicious, artisanal goods. Our local Sarasota Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. at Main Street and Lemon Avenue.2. Scenic adventures at the riverThe Manatee River is the perfect place to embrace nature and get up-close with wildlife for the afternoon. Go on nature tours, swim with manatees and have a picnic, among many more exciting opportunities to get some fresh, Florida air while at the river.3. The boat lifeOne of our top things to love about Sarasota,...

Learn About Bonito Fishing in Sarasota

11/11/2016 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Learn About Bonito Fishing in SarasotaDo you know about the bonito fish? Let’s learn about this feisty game fish that you may encounter this winter.The bonito fish is a game fish that is known to frequent the Sarasota area. You may hear these fish referred to as ‘bonita’ or even ‘bonehead.’ Bonito fish, named for their aesthetically pleasing exterior, are speedy and powerful game fish. Their speed and power often causes spools to empty very quickly since they put up quite a fight when you’ve hooked them.Bonito often travel in schools and will remain in our waters much longer after most pelagics have migrated. You’ll find that seabirds easily spot them when an underwater commotion arises while they're feeding on small baitfish.Wondering how to catch them? You’ll be successful with small jigs, spoons and flies, which are often used by sportsmen. Try going to nearshore reefs and catching them by way of bottom fishing; you’ll be surprised when they’re suddenly...

Free Fun in Sarasota and Bradenton

10/28/201610/28/2016 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Free Fun in Sarasota and BradentonWhether you're vacationing here in Sarasota and Bradenton or a local to the area, knowing where to find free fun activities is always beneficial. Here are 10 free fun activities you'll enjoy in the Sarasota and Bradenton area.1. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at Bayfront Park in Sarasota. In addition to the breeze you'll encounter from the Sarasota Bay, the whole family will enjoy fishing, a play fountain and a fitness walking area. Bring a picnic, and settle in for a serene afternoon at the park.2. Groove with the drum circles on the beach. Did you know that drum circles regularly gather on Siesta Key Beach and Nokomis Beach? On Sunday evenings at Siesta Key and on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Nokomis, sit back and enjoy this unique show. 3. Brush up on your skills at North Port Skate Park. If you have a skateboard, bike or inline skates, you won't want to miss our local skate park complete with...