Discover the Ultimate Fishing Experience on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island has long been a popular vacation spot for thousands of families, thanks to its stunning beaches, locally owned mom-and-pop stores, and fantastic boating activities around the island. I am a full-time fishing guide here on Anna Maria, and families always tell me how long they have been coming here. Most consider our gorgeous island like a second home. Growing up on the island, there was nothing I’d rather do than run fishing charters. Luckily, Anna Maria Island boasts one of the greatest fisheries in the world, making my job easier! There are many reasons why I believe no place in the world compares to Anna Maria when it comes to fishing. Our local waterways are full of life, bait, and various fish species that can be caught in just a four-hour trip. Some of the species are listed below.
Fishing for Snook on Anna Maria Island
Snook: one of my favorite fish to target on my fishing charters. Anna Maria Island has tons of beautiful grass flats that hold a lot of bait, making it the perfect place for snook to live. Snook are like a huge saltwater bass, with their ability to do crazy acrobatic jumps, big head shakes, long aggressive runs, and aggressive hits. We target snook very often, and they can’t be caught in many places around the world because they only live in very warm water temperatures.
Fishing for Redfish on Anna Maria Island
Redfish: Redfish are some of my favorite fish to catch on our beautiful grass flats because of their long, hard fights and the way they come up to the surface to crush baits and topwaters. They have stunning golden colors and are very cool fish. You can find these fish all along the west and east coasts of our country, but there’s just something special about catching them in our beautiful waterways. They also make excellent table fare, and great restaurants like The Waterfront, The Feast, and Mar Vista can cook your catch after your fishing charter.
Fishing for Trout on Anna Maria Island
Trout: Trout make excellent table fare and can be found on almost any deep grass flat around Anna Maria. They are very plentiful and are a great fish to target when fishing with young kids because you can easily catch 50-60 trout in a couple of hours, keeping the fishing productive for younger anglers!
Fishing for Spanish and King Mackerel on Anna Maria Island
Spanish and King Mackerel: we catch Spanish and kingfish off the beaches, usually above structures like rock piles, hard rocky ledges, reefs, and sometimes just wherever the bait is. These fish are known for their hard fight and fast runs. Built like torpedoes, they can swim through the water at high speeds, making them a blast to catch. Kingfish are the Spanish mackerel’s bigger brother, caught in fall and spring, and can provide some of the most electrifying fishing experiences! Both fish make excellent fish dip and are also delicious when smoked.
Tarpon Fishing on Anna Maria Island
Tarpon: My absolute favorite fish to catch in the summer months when the big 100-pounders are roaming our beaches and bridges. They are the king of trophy fish in Florida, and Anna Maria has one incredible tarpon fishery. These fish are highly protected, can’t be taken out of the water, and we handle them with great care, trying to fight them quickly and efficiently to ensure they swim off strong and can be caught again another day. These fish can leap several feet out of the water, and it’s the most incredible fish to fight… When you see a 150-pound fish jump out of the water, it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
These fish are just a small sample of what we catch on my fishing charters. Anna Maria has a diverse and unique fishery, making it one of the best places in the world to fish. The number of fish we can catch in just four hours is unbelievable, and it’s an experience worth sharing with your family and friends.
