Book your Anna Maria fishing charter today to take advantage of the high-flying tarpon season!
Experience the thrill of fishing with AMI Fishing Charters in the beautiful waters of Anna Maria Island.
Southwest Florida is a year-round destination for a lot of reasons: Of course, we have gorgeous beaches and tons of sunshine. We also have fantastic restaurants and incredible culture. And you can’t beat our golf courses, parks, and other outdoor activities.
With AMI Fishing Charters, you can target these magnificent fish and create unforgettable memories.
And in May? In May, we have tarpon. Lots of them.
I love living and running a fishing charter in Anna Maria Island because the fishing here is always beautiful and booming, and the outdoor scenery makes it all the more special. But nothing gets anglers to the area like tarpon. It’s incredible. People come from all over the globe just to pursue a fishing experience you can’t get anywhere else.
And that’s all they need. Tarpon are highly protected species, so people aren’t taking the tarpon home with them (though you know they’re getting a picture of their catch, if they don’t have the whole thing on video). This isn’t a “catch your own dinner” situation. They just want the thrill. The thrill of tarpon fishing is more than enough reason to book a fish-centric vacation.
Here’s what all the fuss is about.
The Fish
Stemming from the same family as ladyfish, tarpon stand out for their brilliant silver appearance, earning the nickname “silver kings.” Honestly, it really is like looking at a precious metal.
And that appearance is especially noticeable because, despite their size (the state record is 243 lbs!), tarpon are commonplace nearshore and inshore. They can even thrive in waters that don’t have a lot of oxygen, because, believe it or not, tarpon can breathe in the air as well as underwater. (Remember that; it’s important in the next section.)
Their presence in shallower waters makes them even easier to find. Earlier in the season, they head out to deeper waters to spawn, so the fishing is especially good in outgoing tides around Longboat Key Pass or up near the entrance to Tampa Bay.
That being said, we can find tarpon virtually anywhere around AMI all summer long.
The Fight
Yes, the bright silver flash of a tarpon is a stunning sight. And that’s especially true when you get one on the line.
Remember how I mentioned that they can breathe air? They use this to their advantage during the fight. Tarpon are famous for their incredible leaps up out of the water when they’re hooked.
It’s quite a show, but you’ll have to earn it. If you expect to simply land the hook and real in your trophy, you’re in for quite a shock. Tarpon fights are epic. These big sport fish are famous for their strength, speed, and endurance. Successfully getting them to the boat can take over an hour.
So yeah, you might not be able to take the fish home with you, but you’ll have some sore muscles to remind you of the experience.
Book Your Tarpon Charter in AMI Today
With all the attention being paid to tarpon this time of year, it helps to have a highly experienced AMI fishing charter captain to guide you to the right spots. The fish might be plentiful, but so is the competition.
That being said, the only real downside to tarpon season is just how busy we are, and how quickly spots get booked. So if you’re looking forward to an epic 2026 fishing experience, now’s the time to mark your calendar. I’m really excited to be your guide on your incredible tarpon adventure!
