Fishing on Anna Maria Island

Fishing on Anna Maria Island brings visitors from far and wide as it’s well known for its fabulous fishing and crystal clear waters.

To make your fishing trips simple and enjoyable we’ve done a bit of a round up of what you find locally – from where to buy bait from, where and how to fish, where to moor your boat and where to hire boats and equipment should you decide to get out onto the water too!
Anna Maria’s three piers mean you have a choice of experienced Sea Captains ready to take you on the fishing trip of your dreams. The wide range range of Charter, Marina and Support Services ensures you have everything on hand to get the most out of your trip, the excellence and experience you find here brings fishermen and boaters back to Anna Maria Island year after year.

FISHING

Anna Maria Island truly is an angler’s paradise in which you are spoilt for choice at every turn. Fish from a boat, the beach, or one of the piers or bridges joining the island to the mainland and be prepared for a run in with many species swimming in our beautiful blue waters. From bluefish to bonefish, trout to tarpon, grouper to flounder and everything in between including mackerel, drum, amberjack, snapper, sea bass, snook and shark.

Choose from any of the following fishing piers…

ANNA MARIA ISLAND CITY PIER

Anglers fishing from the city pier catch a wide variety of saltwater fish. For those who don’t, located at the end of the pier is the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, a great place to watch a perfect sunset and think about the one that got away.

BRADENTON BEACH HISTORICAL BRIDGE STREET PIER

This is a popular spot to fish for grouper, flounder, mullet, bluefish and ladyfish. The pier has been recently refurbished and includes a restaurant located at the entrance to the pier.

ROD AND REEL PIER

Back in 1979, one legendary angler reeled in a giant 1,386 pound hammerhead shark, a world record, from this pier – will you bring in the next record? It was and still is the largest shark ever caught off a fishing pier.

This is a good place to fish for a wide variety of species and is another perfect spot for just relaxing in the Sunshine State, and enjoying some great food at the Rod and Reel Restaurant.

Check out this video of Rod Reel Pier to see what it’s really like!

CHARTER FISHING

One of the best ways to be sure of taking home some fish as well as your perfect memories is to employ the services of one of the many charter captains on Anna Maria Island. Taking a charter trip means you don’t have to worry about getting your bait, tackle, license or a lack of local knowledge – that’s where these guys comes in.

With years of experience and being able to reach some of the hottest fish-filled spots in our waters, Anna Maria Island’s charter boat captains give you the best chance of filling your boots and going home with arm-ache. From heading out into the bright blue yonder in search of the Gulf’s deep water species, to stalking the flats and backwaters in search of some hard-fighting prey, Anna Maria Island has a fishing experience for everyone.

Here are some of the best local charter captains in Anna Maria Island and the surrounding area.

FLORIDA FISHING ADVENTURE

This is perfect for beginners or avid anglers, wanting to experience light-tackle, inshore and near shore fishing at its best. Adventures Captains are top premier guides whose knowledge and skill give you the opportunity to experience a spectacular world-class fishing adventure.

CAPTAIN JOSH CHARTERS

Captain Josh is a Florida native, and full time professional fishing guide with over 20 years experience. He has guided from Tampa Bay to Key West, but is based out of the beautiful waters of Anna Maria Island, in Southwest Florida. Having fished these waters all his life, Captain Josh knows every little secret spot around, when the fish will be there, and what and when they like to eat. Captain Josh will custom build each fishing trip individually to make sure you have the most exciting or relaxing experience in Anna Maria’s waters.

CAPTAIN MIKE’S CHARTERS

Captain Mike Greig has spent 35 years fishing the local Florida waters of Anna Maria Island, Tampa Bay and Sarasota. He knows the waters, the fish and where to find them. When you’re looking for an exciting full day of offshore fishing, or a full- or half-day trip inshore, Captain Mike can hook you up!

STRAY DOG FISHING CHARTERS

Stray Dog Charters offer a variety of fishing trips ranging from the ‘family fun’ 4 and 6hr trips to the full day 8 and 10hr trips to the longer range of 12, 14 and 16 hour trips. US Coast guard equipped to carry groups up to six passengers (including children), plus crew.

FISHING RULES, REGULATIONS & LICENSE FOR ANNA MARIA ISLAND

If you are going to go fishing in the waters off Anna Maria Island you MUST purchase a fishing license and you have to obey the fishing regulations.

It is necessary to buy a saltwater fishing license when fishing in the coastal waters of the state of Florida (or taking marine species). The waters off the shores of Anna Maria Island are included. The license is required for finfish, shellfish and shells. Separate permit stamps are required for taking Snook and crawfish. A special stamp is needed to take and possess a single tarpon. No stamp is needed to catch and release Snook or tarpon. Go to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation for full details on how to purchase a license.

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