For those of us who’ve been fishing our whole lives, it’s hard to identify—or even remember—the moment we fell in love with it. It just feels like a passion that’s always been there!
So when I have a chance to share that love with someone, especially young kids, I’m giddy. And when it comes to kid-friendly fishing charters, Anna Maria Island is 100% the place to be.
This area has such a healthy fish population, so many different species and so many different places to fish, that you can darn-near guarantee an exciting day on the water. And when you have an experienced fishing charter guide, Sarasota Bay is basically a playground for beginner anglers.
Mangrove snapper is one of my go-to fish for kids, especially this time of year. Here’s why.
Mangrove Snapper Overview
Mangrove snapper (aka gray snapper) are part of the larger snapper family of fish found in tropical waters all around the world. All the “snapper” species get their name from their noticeable canine teeth.
You can fish mangrove snapper year-round, keeping up to five per person if they’re over 10 inches. That means kids can show off not one, but a whole collection of fish they caught.
Where to Find Mangrove Snapper
No surprises here, they like the mangroves. They’re also partial to reefs and underwater structures like bridges and docks. This time of year, they’re pouring into the Sarasota Bay to spawn.
What’s great about that is that we don’t necessarily have to take kids offshore; we can stick to the calm nearshore and inland waters. I understand how some younger kids can be nervous about encountering larger waves on a boat, especially if they’re new to saltwater. No one should be stressed while fishing!
And that’s one of the many great things about welcoming kids aboard an AMI fishing charter: Sarasota-Bradenton has loads of mangrove snapper hot spots to choose from.
Fishing for Mangrove Snapper
Everything about these fish makes them fun to catch, especially for youngsters and newbies.
Mangrove snapper aren’t nibblers, so you don’t have to wonder if you’re getting interest. When they bite, they bite.
They also hang around in big groups, so once you find them, you’re probably in for enough bites to go around.
Another advantage of mangrove snapper: They put up a fight, but they’re not too big to overpower or frustrate children. It’s that sweet spot of exciting as well as manageable. That’s how you get kids hooked on fishing.
I also love to go into the mangroves this time of year because I can use all the hatch bait I’m catching specifically for these fish. Our summertime small bait doesn’t work for every situation, but in this case it’s perfect. Added bonus: Anyone who’s a little squeamish about live bait has less to worry about.
Catch Your Own Dinner on AMI
What kid wouldn’t want to catch dinner for their whole family? Not only can you catch and take home a boatload of mangrove snapper, but they’re fantastic eating. Any local seafood spot in the area is bound to have snapper on the menu. They’re mild and even a little sweat due to all the shellfish they eat—an easy fish for kids to love. They’re also versatile, so even if you know you’re having snapper, you’ve still got a lot of different options to choose from.
Summertime Kids Fishing Charters, Anna Maria
Whether your family is in town on vacation or you’re just eager to show your kids the fun of fishing, AMI Excursions is here for you. Mangrove snapper are the perfect fish for introducing them to the sport. These tasty species are plentiful in our calm inland waters, they strike fast, and you can take home a lot of them for dinner.
And that’s a recipe for happy little anglers.
