The question and answer exchange below is copied from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” section (/category/ask-your-neighbor/). Captain Samet’s note confirms what some of us have long known, namely, that both of Sarasota’s inlets are perennially in poor condition!

We are departing Ft. Lauderdale headed to the northern Gulf Coast next week and one of our intended stops is Sarasota. Is New Pass the better to use between Big Pass and New Pass, or should both be avoided? I wouldn’t attempt either in questionable conditions, but assuming fair weather and daylight can either be reasonably run without local knowledge.
Thanks.
Reed
M/V Cahoots

Neither are recommended. The suggestion is that Big Pass is okay to exit on a radial of 210 degrees from marker 7, but 7 has been moved from a previous location,so it is impossible to plot the starting point to go in.
I suggest you enter in Venice inlet to the south or go to the north end of LBK and go in Longboat Key Pass.
Norman Samet