If you’re looking for a kayak shop in Sarasota, you’re looking for Economy Tackle. We’re a full-service kayak and fishing tackle dealer on S. Tamiami Trail — stocking fishing kayaks, pedal drive systems, electric motor kits, paddles, life jackets, and everything you need to get on Sarasota Bay water and stay there.
Our staff is working anglers who fish Sarasota Bay year-round. When you buy a kayak from us, you’re getting a recommendation from someone who has paddled the same flats you’re heading to — not a salesperson reading a spec sheet.
We’ve curated our kayak inventory around what actually performs on Sarasota Bay’s shallow flats, mangrove creeks, and open water. Every brand we carry has been selected for local conditions:
Our featured pedal-drive line. Native’s Propel system delivers hands-free fishing with the added advantage of simultaneous pedal and electric motor capability on compatible models — a meaningful upgrade for anglers who want maximum versatility. The Native Slayer LTE 10 is our most popular kayak in this line, a compact, lightweight pedal kayak that has proven itself on Sarasota Bay’s shallow flats and mangrove creeks. It’s a great fit for a wide range of anglers, from first-time pedal buyers to experienced fishermen looking for a nimble, go-anywhere boat.
The Bonafide XTR130 is one of the most popular motor-ready fishing kayaks we carry. Its fully riggable platform accepts a Newport electric motor (NT300 or NK300) and can be configured with a tandem swivel seat for fishing with a partner. Stable, capable, and built for all-day use.
The Crescent Crew tandem is a customer favorite for couples and fishing partners who want a shared experience on the water. Pairs naturally with the Bixpy transom mount motor system for easy, effortless paddling.
Thermoformed ABS construction delivers significant weight savings over standard polyethylene. The Hurricane Skimmer 116 at 44 lbs is a dramatically more manageable alternative to heavy rotomolded fishing kayaks — ideal for solo car-toppers and anglers who want to keep things light.
Not every angler wants a pedal drive, and for tight mangrove creek fishing, a traditional paddle kayak is often the right tool. Economy Tackle carries the Pelican Catch series and the Wilderness Systems Tarpon series, two proven paddle kayak lines that handle Sarasota Bay’s backcountry fishing beautifully at an accessible price point. Both are stable, fish-ready platforms that work as well on Shakett Creek as they do on the open bay flats.
Economy Tackle carries Hobie Kayaks, and we will continue to carry them. Hobie’s MirageDrive fin-drive pedal system has a loyal following among experienced kayak anglers, and for good reason: it’s proven, reliable, and exceptionally smooth in open water. If you’re a Hobie angler or want to compare the MirageDrive against the Native Propel system side by side, come in and we’ll walk you through both.
Economy Tackle is one of the few shops in the Sarasota area with real hands-on expertise in kayak electric motor systems. We carry and install:
Transom mount and drivewell adapter for Hobie kayaks; compact, jet-drive system with proprietary lithium battery
NT300 (tiller steering) and NK300 (pedal-drive steering) — sold in kits with the Bonafide XTR130
We are a Minn Kota dealer and can order and mount stern-mount trolling motors on any kayak we sell
The only setup that allows simultaneous pedal and motor use without removing either system
Buying a kayak without paddling it first is a mistake we help you avoid. Economy Tackle can arrange on-water demos for most of the kayaks we carry — a 20-minute paddle on Sarasota Bay water tells you more than any spec sheet. Ask about demo availability when you call or stop in.
A complete Sarasota kayak shop means more than just kayaks. At Economy Tackle you’ll also find:
Economy Tackle is centrally located on S. Tamiami Trail, making us the natural stop for anglers and paddlers coming from Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, Siesta Key, and Englewood. We’re on the way to most of the area’s best kayak launches.
Whether you’re buying your first kayak, upgrading to a pedal drive, adding an electric motor, or just stocking up on tackle and live bait before a morning on the flats — Economy Tackle is Sarasota’s kayak shop.
See our complete guide to kayak fishing in Sarasota Bay for full gear, techniques, and species guides.
