Anna Maria Island Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore fishing trip targeting Snook, Redfish, and TarponCaptain Nathan provides gear, licenses, and catch cleaning servicesSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests per charter
Captain Nathan's 4-hour inshore charter puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's best fishing waters. Anna Maria Island sits perfectly positioned where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, creating a fish-rich environment that keeps both seasoned anglers and first-timers coming back. You'll launch at 8 a.m. with everything you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, and all the licenses sorted. The boat can handle up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for family trips or small groups of friends looking to test their luck against the area's top gamefish.
This isn't your typical pier fishing trip. Captain Nathan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish within a 9-mile range of the island. The morning start time puts you on the water during prime feeding hours when fish are most active. You'll work the flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where big fish hunt for baitfish. The captain provides all the gear, handles the boat positioning, and coaches you through fighting fish – all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a cooler for your catch. Snacks and drinks are included to keep you fueled between hookups.
The fishing style varies based on conditions and target species. You'll likely throw live shrimp under popping corks over grass flats for trout and redfish, while snook fishing often means working jigs or live bait around structure like docks and mangrove edges. For the bigger species like cobia and king mackerel, expect to troll or drift with cut bait in deeper water. Captain Nathan reads the tides, water temperature, and bait movement to determine the best spots each day. The boat's electronics help locate schools of baitfish, and once you find the bait, the gamefish usually aren't far behind. All tackle is matched to the target species – lighter gear for trout and reds, heavier setups when kings and cobia are on the menu.
Snook are the crown jewel of Anna Maria Island fishing. These ambush predators love hanging around structure – think dock pilings, mangrove roots, and bridge shadows. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps when hooked and their bulldogging runs toward cover. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. A slot snook (28-33 inches) makes for excellent table fare and bragging rights back at the dock.
King Mackerel show up in good numbers from spring through fall, especially when the water temperature hits that sweet spot in the mid-70s. These speed demons can peel line off your reel in seconds, making screaming runs that test your drag system. They're typically found in 20-40 feet of water chasing schools of sardines or threadfin herring. A 20-pound king is a respectable catch, but don't be surprised if you hook into something pushing 40 pounds – they grow big in these Gulf waters.
Sea Trout are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species get finicky. They school up over grass flats and respond well to both live and artificial baits. The bigger "gator" trout (over 20 inches) are smart fish that require finesse, but when you find a good school, you can catch a dozen in an hour. They're excellent eating and perfect for anglers looking to build confidence with lighter tackle.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats. These copper-colored fighters use their broad tails to make powerful runs in shallow water. They're year-round residents but fishing peaks in fall when they school up for their spawning runs. A bull red over 27 inches will give you a workout, especially in 3 feet of water where they can use their strength against the shallow bottom. Their keen sense of smell makes them suckers for fresh cut bait.
Cobia are the wild cards that can turn a good day into a great one. These curious fish often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart pumping. They're strong fighters that make long runs and aren't afraid to dive under the boat to break you off. Peak season runs from March through June, with fish ranging from 20 to 50 pounds. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf.
Anna Maria Island's fishing scene stays hot year-round, but the best days fill up fast with Captain Nathan. The 4-hour trip gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and target different species without wearing you out. With all gear, licenses, and catch cleaning included, you're getting serious value for a top-rated charter experience. The small group size means personalized attention whether you're learning to cast or trying to land your personal best. Don't wait around – the fish are biting and your spot on the boat is just a phone call away.
Jump aboard Captain Nathan's 23' Hanson Bay boat and get ready to chase some serious fish around Anna Maria Island's productive inshore waters. This 2007 vessel got a complete makeover in 2016 and runs smooth with a powerful 250HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hot spots fast – we're talking up to 45 knots when conditions are right. The boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. You'll have everything you need onboard: GPS to mark those honey holes, fish finder to locate schools, wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and store your catch. Captain Nathan knows exactly where to find Snook, Redfish, Trout, Gag Grouper, and massive Tarpon in these waters. All your gear, licenses, snacks, drinks, and fish cleaning are included – just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of the Gulf - built thick and ready to fight. These brown, shark-looking fish average 30-50 pounds around here, with some real bruisers pushing 80+ pounds. We typically find them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water, though during spring migration they cruise shallower. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're moving and feeding heavily before spawning. What makes cobia fishing exciting is the sight fishing aspect - you'll actually see them swimming just under the surface. They're also phenomenal table fare, with firm white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf. The fight is pure power - long, determined runs that'll test your drag. Pro tip: when you spot a cobia, present your bait ahead of where they're swimming, not right on top of them. A bucktail jig or live crab usually seals the deal.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your tackle and your nerves. These silver bullets typically weigh 15-30 pounds around here, but don't be surprised if something twice that size hits your line. We usually find them in 40-150 feet of water, cruising the edges of structure or following baitfish schools. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What guests love about kings is the blistering run when they first get hooked - nothing quite like watching your reel scream as line disappears. They're also solid table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect on the grill. One key tip: always use a wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. When trolling, vary your speeds - sometimes a quick burst triggers strikes from following fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore gamefish - they're abundant, fight hard, and those distinctive black spots make them easy to identify. Around Anna Maria Island, most reds run 20-30 inches, with slot fish being perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them in ridiculously shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of the water on the flats, around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass beds. They bite year-round, but fall and winter often produce the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful, sustained fight and willingness to eat just about anything - topwater plugs, soft plastics, live bait, you name it. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. The key to consistent redfish success is polarized sunglasses and staying quiet. These fish spook easily in shallow water, so pole or drift when you can. A weedless gold spoon works magic in the grass.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a bread-and-butter species that consistently produces action. Most fish we catch run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, with some nice gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds in deeper water. They love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. Trout are popular because they're scrappy fighters for their size and make fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. During winter, look for them in deeper channels where they group up. My go-to technique is drifting grass flats with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Work it slow and steady - trout have soft mouths, so don't set the hook too hard or you'll pull it right out.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Anna Maria Island, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we see some real trophies pushing 3-4 feet. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in shallow water, moving between salt and fresh water easily. Best fishing is during the warmer months from spring through fall, especially around new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll jump, run, and use every trick to shake the hook. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: fish the shadow lines along mangroves with live shrimp or soft plastics. Keep your drag loose - they'll snap you off in a heartbeat if you horse them.
Anna Maria Island