5.0(7 Reviews)Premium Inshore Fishing Charters Anna Maria Island
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Expert captains guide inshore fishing trips around mangroves and flats.Target redfish, snook, and trout in shallow Gulf Coast waters.Familyfriendly charters accommodate up to five guests per trip.
Anna Maria Island's inshore waters are pure gold for anglers looking to hook into some serious action. Captain Andrew and the Chasing Limits Charters crew know these shallow waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that'll make your day. We're talking about pristine mangrove shorelines, grass flats that stretch for miles, and backcountry spots where the fish stack up thick. Whether you're bringing the family for their first fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler wanting to dial in your technique, this trip delivers the goods every single time.
Your day starts with Captain Andrew rigging up the perfect setup for whatever's biting that morning. We fish the shallow inshore waters around Anna Maria Island, targeting everything from the iconic redfish cruising the grass flats to snook hanging tight to the mangrove edges. The boat holds up to 5 anglers comfortably, so you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. These waters are protected, so even when it's breezy offshore, we're usually fishing in calm conditions perfect for sight casting and working the shallows. Captain Andrew's got the local knowledge dialed in – he knows which tides work best at each spot, what baits the fish are keying on, and how to read the water to put you on the bite.
We fish these inshore waters using a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what's working that day. You'll be casting to structure – think dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars where fish love to ambush baitfish. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, from spinning reels spooled with the right line weight to a selection of jigs, soft plastics, and live shrimp that'll get the job done. We're fishing in water anywhere from 2 to 15 feet deep, so you'll be sight fishing a lot of the time, watching fish eat your bait right in front of you. The grass flats hold trout and reds, while the deeper edges and structure are where you'll find snapper, grouper, and other bottom dwellers. Captain Andrew will coach you through different techniques – from popping cork rigs for trout to free-lining live bait for snook.
"Capt 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 fish but we almost always limit out. He's a fun dude and plays great music. I strongly recommend him." - Law For
"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
"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 but none quite like his. There was never a dull moment on the entire trip. He is a knowledgeable, hardworking young guy who absolutely loves what he does and I think he knows he is one of the best in the area. Everyone else on the water knows it too...his boat has some great speakers and when he hooked me up on a monster tarpon he had those speakers bumping! I could go on and on with stories but just DO NOT make the mistake of NOT booking this trip with Captain Andrew." - Hayden
Gag Grouper are the heavy hitters of the inshore scene around Anna Maria Island. These bruisers love hanging around hard bottom, rocky areas, and deeper grass flats where they can ambush passing baitfish. Gags are known for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights – once hooked, they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off. The best fishing for gag grouper happens during the cooler months when they move into shallower water. What makes them special is their incredible table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer. Plus, landing a 20-pound gag grouper on light tackle will definitely get your heart pumping.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as we call them locally, are one of the most fun fish to target in these waters. They're smart, finicky, and will test your skills as an angler. You'll find them around any kind of structure – docks, mangrove roots, rock piles, and oyster bars. These fish are active year-round but really turn on during the warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes mangrove snapper so popular is their combination of fight and flavor. They'll make multiple runs and try every trick in the book to throw the hook. On the table, they're hard to beat with firm, mild white meat that's perfect for just about any recipe.
Sheepshead are the trickiest fish you'll target on this trip, and that's exactly why anglers love them. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure with their powerful jaws, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. Sheepshea
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a reliable 24' Privateer center console, built to handle Anna Maria Island's inshore waters with ease. Powered by a 300 Yamaha engine, this boat gets you to the best fishing spots quickly while the GPS and fish finder help locate where redfish, snook, and trout are hiding in the mangroves and grass flats. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up quietly on feeding fish without spooking them. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus wheelchair accessibility for all anglers, this setup handles up to 5 guests comfortably. The shallow draft design is perfect for navigating the backcountry waters where the biggest fish like to hang out around oyster bars and creek mouths.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisThese robust bottom dwellers average 20 inches but can grow up to 4 feet and 80 pounds. Gag grouper love hanging around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 40-150 feet of water. They're ambush predators with powerful jaws that'll test your drag system once hooked. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move closer to shore. They hit live bait like pinfish and mullet hard, but here's the key: once you hook one, keep that drag locked tight and pull them straight up. If you let them run back to structure, they'll cut your line on the rocks every time. These fish are worth the fight.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called mangrove snapper, these copper-colored fish typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, though offshore specimens can hit 20 pounds. They're opportunistic feeders that love structure - docks, mangroves, grass flats, and any cover they can find. Grey snapper are active year-round but fish best during warmer months and at night when they come out to hunt. Guests love them because they're smart, making each catch satisfying, plus they're some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick with these guys is patience - they're notorious bait thieves. Use a live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just enough to stay off structure. When you feel that subtle tap, don't jerk - let them take it before setting the hook.
Lachnolaimus MaximusThese pig-snouted members of the wrasse family are some of the most prized fish we target. Most run 2-8 pounds and use that distinctive snout to root through sand and rubble for crabs and shellfish. You'll find them around hard bottom areas, coral patches, and rocky structure in 15-60 feet of water. They're curious fish that'll actually swim up to check out divers and boats. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps are warm. What makes hogfish special is their incredible eating quality - sweet, flaky meat that rivals lobster. They're also a unique catch with their bright colors and interesting behavior. The trick is using live shrimp or small crabs on light tackle, and making some noise by tapping the hull - they're attracted to vibrations thinking it's food. Quick reflexes help too since they're fast strikers that can steal bait in a flash.
Scomberomorus CavallaThese silver speedsters are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Kings typically weigh 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds during peak season. They patrol open water from 40-150 feet deep, following baitfish and temperature breaks. Best action happens spring through fall when they migrate through our waters chasing schools of sardines and blue runners. What gets anglers excited is their blistering runs - they're one of the fastest fish in the Gulf and will test your equipment. Plus, they're excellent smoked or grilled when prepared right. The secret is trolling with live bait rigged on a wire leader with two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit bait from the back, so that stinger hook is crucial. When one hits, clear the lines fast because these fish can tangle everything in seconds with their powerful runs.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese black-and-white striped fish earned the nickname "convict fish" for obvious reasons. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure where they scrape off their favorite food. Sheepshead have human-like teeth perfectly designed for crushing shellfish and crabs. Spring months from February through April are prime time when they spawn around structures. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're notorious bait stealers with light bites that'll clean your hook without you knowing. The payoff is excellent table fare with mild, sweet white meat. My go-to trick is using fiddler crabs or live shrimp, getting as close to structure as possible, and keeping that bait pinned tight to the hook. When you feel them nibbling, set the hook hard immediately - their bony mouths require a strong hookset.
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 ...
Anna Maria Island