Sarasota FL - Charter this week and other ?????'s

[PortHunter]

In Sarasota visting the inlaws. On the spur of the moment they would like to go fishing, and charter a boat for a half day. Because I fish in New Elngland they all think I know what I'm doing, needless so say I have no idea. Does anyone have any suggestions on the following:
1. recomendations for charter captins and boats in the sarasota area? We're on longboat key at the moment, but can drive a bit if we need to.
2. What's out there right now? What should we be going after?
3. Any idea on what we should expect to pay for a half day/day of fishing?
4. what should I look for and what should I look out for?

Any other suggestions that you all might have would be greatly apriciated. Someone suggested renting a boat with gear and putting me in charge, but since I'm on my vacation and doubt I would be that effective in these waters I would rather try to avoid that. Plus in new england its easier to find a captin with a boat then a boat and gear on its own for rent - I imagine, and hope, the same applies here. We're thinking o doing this on Tuesday - I know the timing is sorta wazoo but that the way it is - so any help anyone has to offer would be great.

thanks in advance!
jd-

[First Light]

A few days ago when it warmed up, all hell was breaking loose offshore, but it's gonna blow the next few days and get colder so going offshore is not a good option. Inshore there are lots of fish in the bay right now - spanish mackerel, bluefish, flounder, redfish, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, & others. There are lots of good guides with Florida style flats boat plus others who have larger bay boats depending on how many of you there are. A good place to start is Capt. Ed Hurst 925-1871 - has one of the funniest & driest cents of humor in Florida. Or call CB's Outfitters/Bait & Tackle 925-4400 where most of the better guides in Sarasota work out of (including Hurst).

[PortHunter]

thanks for the reply - I'm going to give Capt. Hurst a call tomorow morning and then see where we can go from there.

any other suggestions that folks out there have would be much apreciated!!

[alleydc]

If you are looking for inshore/near-shore, then two more guides come to mind. Rick Grasset and Jonny Walker are both excellent. I don't have the numbers for them, but they are listed in the book. Rick also does night trips for people who want to flyfish for snook under the docks. If you are willing to drive a few minutes up to Bradenton, I can hook you up with Mark Howard (sumotime charters). He is a really great guy.