5.0(8 Reviews)Anna Maria Island Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(8 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Expert local captains guide inshore fishing trips for all skill levelsTarget redfish, snook, and trout in mangroves and shallow flatsAccommodates up to 5 guests with relaxed family-friendly atmosphere
When it comes to Florida's Gulf Coast fishing, Anna Maria Island delivers some of the most consistent inshore action you'll find anywhere. Captain Andrew and the Chasing Limits crew have been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and they know exactly where to find the bite. You'll cruise through pristine mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and backcountry estuaries where redfish, snook, and trout call home. This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing trip – it's a personalized day on the water with a captain who eats, sleeps, and breathes these fisheries. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore game, you're in for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your day starts early with Captain Andrew, who's already been checking conditions and plotting the best spots based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity. This is shallow water fishing at its finest – you'll work depths from two to fifteen feet, sight casting to fish you can actually see and targeting structure that holds quality fish year-round. The boat stays comfortable with a maximum of five anglers, so everyone gets plenty of personal attention and coaching. You'll cover a lot of water during your trip, hitting everything from oyster bars and dock pilings to expansive grass flats where speckled trout love to ambush baitfish. The captain provides all tackle, bait, and fishing licenses, plus he'll clean your catch at the end of the day. All you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, drinks, and a cooler to haul home your fresh fillets.
Inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island means adapting your approach to match the conditions and target species. You'll primarily fish with medium-action spinning rods loaded with 15-20 pound braided line – perfect for the structure and cover you'll be working. Live bait is king out here, and Captain Andrew keeps the wells stocked with pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp depending on what the fish are keying on. You'll learn to work jigs around mangrove roots, drift live baits over grass flats, and sight cast to redfish tailing in skinny water. The captain also carries an arsenal of artificial lures including soft plastics, topwater plugs, and suspending twitch baits for when the fish are being picky. Don't worry if you're new to saltwater fishing – Captain Andrew breaks down each technique step by step, from proper hook sets to fighting fish around structure without getting broken off.
"Captain Andrew Bennett helped me and my cousins catch tons of fish. He knew the area very well with tons of great spots and knew exactly how to get the fish to bite. We went home with tons of meat for dinner! Would highly recommend Chasing Limits Fishing Charter!" - Liam. "We booked three Charters for our group of 14. We were a few minutes late arriving, and the other two groups had chosen their boats. We also learned the ad hoc rules for our groups fishing tournament; most fish by weight. Our group of five had the good fortune to be hooked up with Capt. Andrew. Like the charter says Chasing Limits - we limited for trout and redfish before 10:30 AM. That didn't stop Capt. Andrew from taking us to his favorite mangrove snapper and snook spots. All of us caught many multiples of every species. It was an epic day of fishing. Oh… no weigh in necessary. We won with over 40 fish caught and over 25 coming home with us. The next closest boat had maybe 12 fish. Don't even consider another guy, Captain Andrew is an absolute fishing machine lol" - Brian. "We had a nice half day inshore with Andrew. He was super knowledgeable, well prepared with the rig setup/bait, knew where to go and got us hooked up with a bunch of fish. Also, very important to mention that he was a super nice guy and great with the 4 kids in our group of 6. Would highly recommend" - Dale.
Gag Grouper are the heavyweight champions of Anna Maria Island's inshore scene. These bruisers hang around hard bottom, rocky ledges, and artificial reefs in 20-40 feet of water. What makes gag grouper so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldog fight – they'll try to get back to their hole the second they feel the hook. Peak season runs from October through March when they're most active in shallower water. You'll typically find them in the 3-8 pound range inshore, though bigger fish are always possible. Captain Andrew targets them with live pinfish and large soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom.
Grey Snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are one of the most abundant and fun species you'll encounter on these flats. They're notorious bait thieves with excellent eyesight and a knack for stealing your offering without getting hooked. These fish love structure – docks, mangrove roots, oyster bars, and bridge pilings all hold good numbers. They bite year-round but fishing is hottest during summer months when they're most active. Most fish run 12-16 inches, perfect for the dinner table. The trick is using light tackle and small hooks with fresh cut bait or live shrimp.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped characters that provide some of the most challenging and rewarding inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans, and they're masters at picking baits clean without getting hooked. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles, oysters, or crabs – their primary food sources. Winter months from December through March offer the
Get ready to hit the prime fishing spots around Anna Maria Island aboard this well-equipped 24' Privateer center console. With a reliable 300 Yamaha engine pushing you through the shallows, you'll reach those productive mangrove edges and grass flats where redfish and snook love to hang out. The boat's fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while the wireless trolling motor lets you drift quietly into position without spooking your targets. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and trust the GPS to navigate the intricate backcountry waters. Built to handle up to 5 anglers comfortably, this center console gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The wheelchair accessible design means everyone can join the action on Florida's Gulf Coast waters.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll test your tackle around Anna Maria's nearshore reefs and structure. These gray, marbled fish average 20 inches but can hit 4+ feet and 80 pounds. They hang around rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs in 40-100 feet of water. Fall through spring offers the best action when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is the tug-of-war fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover trying to break you off in the rocks. The meat is firm, white, and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: keep your drag locked tight and horse them up quick before they can reach their hiding spots. Live bait like pinfish or cut squid works best.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are smart fish that'll keep you sharp around Anna Maria's docks and structure. These copper-colored snappers typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them around bridges, piers, and mangrove edges where they ambush prey. They're active year-round but bite best during warmer months and around new moons. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with those small mouths and sharp teeth. The reward is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to trick: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it settle near bottom, then barely lift it off structure. Patience wins with these fish.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are the reef's bulldozers with pig-like snouts and bright orange fins that make them stand out around Anna Maria's hard bottom areas. These colorful wrasse average 2-5 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds on deeper reefs. You'll find them rooting through sand and rubble in 10-60 feet, especially around live bottom and coral patches. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and summer produce the most consistent action. Guests enjoy the unique challenge of sight fishing for these curious fish and the reward of some of the sweetest meat in the Gulf - even better than grouper. Pro trick: they're attracted to noise, so bang on the boat hull to draw them in. Use live shrimp on light tackle and be ready for quick strikes.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are pure speed demons that'll peel drag like few fish can around Anna Maria's nearshore waters. These silver rockets typically weigh 15-30 pounds but can top 50+ pounds during good runs. Find them in 40-150 feet trolling along temperature breaks and bait schools. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially when Spanish sardines and blue runners are thick. What gets guests fired up is that blistering first run - kings can strip 100 yards in seconds with their razor-sharp teeth. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked or grilled. Essential tip: always use wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind. Kings love hitting the tail section of live bait.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with black stripes and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles around Anna Maria's bridges and docks. These gray beauties typically weigh 2-8 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds around deeper structure. Look for them on any hard bottom - bridge pilings, docks, and rock piles in 5-30 feet. Winter through early spring is prime time when they spawn around passes and jetties. Guests love the challenge of outsmarting these bait-stealing masters and the reward of sweet, white meat that rivals grouper. They're notorious for nibbling bait clean off hooks. Key trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, get tight to structure, and set the hook hard at first nibble. Don't wait for a big bite.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Andrew is my go to guide. He knows the water and is a tremendous boater. Always have a great time. Never a guarantee to catch...
We booked three Charters for our group of 14. We were a few minutes late arriving, and the other two groups had chosen their boats...
Captain Andrew Bennett helped me and my cousins catch tons of fish. He knew the area very well with tons of great spots and knew e...
Hands down the best fishing experience I’ve ever had! We caught well over 20 fish per person. Captain Bennett knew many different ...
Had an amazing time he’s very helpful, and I would recommend him to anyone that’s looking for a charter!! 10/10 experience we caug...
We had a nice half day inshore with Andrew. He was super knowledgeable, well prepared with the rig setup/bait, knew where to go a...
If you are wanting to have an unforgettable time this trip is for you! I've been on a countless number of chartered fishing trips ...
Captain Andrew did a great job taking us out to the best spots! We caught a lot of fish!. He was patient with my 6 yr old grandson...
Anna Maria Island