Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide

Located in Florida's Tampa Bay, there's a good reason why Anna Maria Island is one of the nation's hottest fishing spots. Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico and boasting seven miles of pristine white sand beaches, not to mention Florida's famous subtropical climate, Anna Maria Island elevates your saltwater fishing trip to the next level.

Whether you prefer a relaxed afternoon of pier fishing or you'd like to take a fishing charter for a deep-sea excursion, there is no end to the options for getting your line in the water. In fact, the range of methods is only outnumbered by the types of fish you can catch!

A stay on Anna Maria Island is a must-visit for all anglers. Just keep in mind that anyone over the age of 16 needs to get a fishing license before they can go fishing here.

THE TYPES OF FISH YOU CAN CATCH

You'll love the chance to catch a wide range of fish types off the shores of Anna Maria Island. A few of the most common catches are:

• Redfish

• Seatrout

• Kingfish

• Spanish Mackerel

• Snapper

• Grouper

• Amberjack

• Sheepshead

• Pompano

GAME FISH AND TROPHY SPECIES

Experienced anglers should come during the summer months when trophy species like cobia can be hooked from the beach. Game fish like flounder and mangrove snapper are also found in AMI's waters, plus many more species.

Anyone fishing along the Gulf shores has their sights set on redfish and spotted seatrout. Available year-round, these local favorites can be found in abundance in the grassy flats and shallow waters surrounding Anna Maria Island.

Redfish and spotted seatrout are fun and easy to catch and make a tasty main course. If you prefer a more challenging fight, consider trying to hook some snook or tarpon. These monstrous fish offer a great fight and when you finally land one you'll get a great feeling of accomplishment.

For snook, seek out secluded fishing spots. You can find tarpon hiding out in the grassy flats. The best time of year to find these fish starts in May and runs almost through winter. Be aware that tarpon is catch-and-release only, while the limit on snook is only one per angler.

OFFSHORE FISHING

A little further offshore, the Gulf waters are home to some of the most exciting fish for anglers. If you like big fish, look no further than the kingfish. Found in large numbers and putting up an exciting fight, you are really earning your dinner when you land one of these bad boys.

To catch kingfish, you'll want to troll with live bait. Spanish mackerel are like a smaller version of the kingfish. While making a great meal, these fish don't put up quite the fight as their larger counterparts but are still a lot of fun to catch. Trolling with shrimp or mullet is going to help get your cooler full of these little guys. Both Spanish mackerel and kingfish prefer warm water, so the best time to find these fish is in the summer months.

Any Gulf angler knows that snapper and grouper are available year-round. Red snapper season is in June but the yellowtail and mutton snapper are biting all year long. Snappers are not just fun to catch, they will keep you busy all day and make a great meal when you get home. Grouper is available most of the year and always offers some challenge but makes for a hardy dinner. Red and black grouper run late spring through winter while gag grouper season is at the end of the summer.

Cobia and amberjack are perfect for the angler looking to bring in a big fish. These monstrous fish are available year-round. They are found closer to shore in spring and winter but are always available out past the reef. These are both tasty fish, and bringing one in really does take some skill.

Fishing Charters

There is no question that if you want a great experience fishing in a new location, taking out a fishing charter is the way to go. While charters can be a little costly, nothing beats a guided fishing adventure led by local pros, especially if you're a beginner fisherman. Local captains will know just where the fish are biting and the best baits to use, and will be sure to provide an experience you will never forget.

Some of our favorite fishing charters are listed below:

• Anna Maria Charters: Professional charter and guide fishing from AMI and Holmes Beach

• AMI Charters: Saltwater adventures, sunset cruises, and fishing trips

• Captain Casey's Island Fishing Charters: Inshore charters along the bay, flats, or mangroves as well as sunset cruises

• Fish AMI Fishing Charters: AMI, Longboat Key, and Lido Key excursions from Bradenton Beach City Pier

• Just Kickin Back Charters: AMI deep sea and offshore fishing and boat tours, trips daily

• Tarpon Fishing Charters: Custom-tailored tarpon charters in Tampa Bay

Prime Fishing Spots

It doesn't matter if you like to fish from a boat or a sandy shore — Anna Maria Island fishing offers something for every type of angler. Some of our favorite locales include:

• City Pier: Anna Maria Island City Pier is a large 700-foot pier where you can enjoy year-round nearshore and inshore fishing

• Rod and Reel Pier: Such a small island having two fishing piers lets you know that fishing is taken seriously — Rod and Reel Pier is just down the beach and stretches about 350 feet into the bay

• Coquina Beach: Anna Maria Island's most southern beach offers access to Sarasota Bay and the Gulf and is a great location to catch some of those larger nearshore monsters

• The North Side: Local anglers find themselves on the North Side quite often — this area offers jetties and beaches perfect for great fishing as well as some seclusion

• Sarasota Bay: Sarasota Bay is known worldwide for some of the finest inshore fishing

• Tampa Bay: Tarpon and Redfish are always on every angler's must-catch list but there is no shortage of species to catch in these waters

• Any Reef: Fishing Charters are more than likely going to suggest fishing off the reefs and if you really want variety in your fishing excursion, taking this suggestion is highly advised

WILL YOU HOOK A BIG CATCH ON YOUR AMI FISHING TRIP?

With so many fish species calling AMI home, you are guaranteed a memorable fishing experience here. Whether angling or fly fishing, this guide will hopefully have given you all the information you need to sit back, relax, and get ready for your catch of the day!

There's so much to do on Anna Maria Island, so why not gather your friends and family and spend a few days here? We have countless great restaurants, cafes, and bars in Anna Maria City, and our calm ocean waters are fabulous for swimming and kayaking. There's plenty for kids to do, too!

Make your visit extra special by booking an immaculate vacation rental home within walking distance of our best fishing spots.