Anna Maria Island Family Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour morning charter accommodates kids and experienced anglers alikeCustomizable trip combines fishing, dolphin watching, and sandbar swimming optionsAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses included
Captain Gunner Reid's morning family charter is exactly what you need when you want to get the kids out on the water without committing to a full day. This two-hour inshore trip around Anna Maria Island gives families the perfect taste of Florida fishing while keeping things flexible and fun. Whether you've got little ones who've never held a rod or experienced anglers looking for a quick fishing fix, this charter adapts to what your crew wants to do.
You'll meet Captain Gunner bright and early for a morning departure that takes advantage of the cooler temperatures and active fish. The beauty of this charter is its flexibility – if the kids get restless with fishing, you can switch gears and cruise the shallow waters looking for dolphins and manatees. There's even the option to hit a sandbar for some swimming if the mood strikes. The catch-and-release approach keeps things conservation-minded, but don't worry – if someone hooks into a keeper-sized fish and wants to take it home, Captain Gunner will let you know when it's appropriate. All your gear is covered, from rods and reels to bait and tackle, plus fishing licenses for everyone on board. With a maximum of four guests, there's plenty of room for everyone to cast without tangling lines.
Captain Gunner runs his charters in the productive inshore waters around Anna Maria Island, focusing on grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and shallow structure where the target species love to hang out. You'll be using light tackle spinning gear that's perfect for kids and beginners – nothing too heavy or complicated. The techniques vary based on what's biting, but expect to do plenty of bottom fishing with live and cut bait for species like sheepshead and redfish. When targeting snook around the mangroves, you might switch to casting lures or live bait near structure. The shallow water fishing means you'll see a lot of the action happen, which gets kids excited when they watch their line get picked up. Captain Gunner keeps multiple rods rigged and ready, so there's minimal downtime between bites. The boat stays in protected waters, making for a comfortable ride even for those who might get a little seasick on rougher offshore trips.
Southern Flounder are one of the most exciting catches for kids because they're such unique-looking fish. These flatfish blend perfectly with the sandy bottom and can grow up to 20 inches in local waters. Spring through fall offers the best action, and they're ambush predators that hit baits hard when they decide to feed. Kids love the way they fight differently from other fish, staying deep and trying to bury back into the bottom. Snook are the premier inshore gamefish around Anna Maria Island, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These silver-sided beauties can reach 30+ inches and are most active during warmer months around dawn and dusk. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around docks, mangrove roots, and bridge pilings, making them perfect targets for short morning trips. Sheepshead are the perfect species for teaching kids about fishing because they're plentiful year-round and have a distinctive black and white striped pattern that's easy to identify. They rarely exceed 15 inches but make up for their size with their notorious bait-stealing abilities – you'll need to stay sharp on the hook set. Grey Triggerfish add some variety to the day with their unique body shape and feisty attitude. These bottom dwellers are most common in late summer and fall, usually running 12-16 inches, and they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few. Redfish are the bread and butter of Anna Maria Island inshore fishing, offering consistent action throughout the year with peak seasons in spring and fall. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches to oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches, and they're known for their powerful runs when hooked.
This top-rated morning charter with Ami Charter Fishing gives your family the perfect introduction to Anna Maria Island's world-class inshore fishing scene. Captain Gunner's flexible approach means everyone leaves happy, whether you spent the whole time fishing or mixed in some sightseeing and swimming. The two-hour format is ideal for keeping younger anglers engaged without wearing them out, and the morning departure gets you back to shore with plenty of day left for other vacation activities. Don't wait to secure your spot – these customer-favorite family charters fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and families are looking for that perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our newly restored 24-foot Carolina Skiff center console, the perfect vessel for exploring Anna Maria Island's productive inshore waters. This spacious boat comfortably handles up to 4 guests and features a reliable 115HP Tohatsu engine that'll get you to the fishing spots quickly, cruising at speeds up to 35 knots. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the fishing action while providing plenty of room to move around when fighting that perfect catch. Our fish finder helps locate schools of snook, redfish, and trout hiding in the grass flats, while the GPS keeps us on track to the hottest fishing holes. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them, and the built-in icebox keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh. Whether you're teaching the kids to cast or targeting that trophy red drum, this boat handles everything from shallow backwater creeks to open bay fishing with confidence and comfort.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggers are tough little fighters that pack more punch than their size suggests. Most run 12-17 inches but fight like fish twice their size. They hang around hard bottom areas, ledges, and any structure in 20-180 feet of water. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most aggressive. What guests love is their attitude - they'll hit almost any bait and put up a scrappy fight with lots of head shakes. Plus they're great eating with firm, white meat. These fish are smart though, often nibbling before committing. Here's what works: use squid chunks about an inch wide since it stays on the hook better. Drop your bait around other fish like snapper - triggers get competitive and will charge in to steal the meal.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and signature black eyespot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches, perfect eating size. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them on grass flats, around oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round but are hottest in fall and spring. What makes them special is that explosive strike on topwater lures and their strong fighting ability. The meat is excellent too - mild and sweet. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sit still. Movement spooks them in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth - kids get a kick out of seeing those chompers. They average 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, hanging tight around any structure with barnacles. Docks, bridges, and oyster bars are prime spots. They bite best in cooler months from late fall through early spring when they're most active. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves - you really have to pay attention to those subtle nibbles. The meat is fantastic, sweet and flaky like snapper. Here's the key: use small hooks and keep your bait tight to the structure. When you feel that gentle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. They'll clean your hook in seconds if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized gamefish around Anna Maria, with their distinctive black lateral line and sloped heads. They typically range 20-28 inches in our waters, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, under docks, and near any structure that provides ambush cover. They're most active during warmer months and love moving water around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is that powerful strike and the way they jump when hooked - always gets everyone excited. They're also excellent table fare when kept legally. My tip: cast your bait right into the structure, not near it. Snook won't chase far from cover, so get that lure tight to the mangroves or pilings.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we occasionally see them pushing 25+ inches. You'll spot them on shallow flats, around docks, and sandy areas where they blend in perfectly. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique "flounder look" kids love. They bite year-round but are most active during cooler months when they move through our passes. The meat is excellent - sweet and flaky. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them mouth it for a second, then give a firm hookset. They're notorious for just barely grabbing bait.
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