Full Day Inshore Fishing Anna Maria Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targeting snook, redfish, and tarponExperienced local captain provides instruction for all skill levelsEighthour trip includes gear and wildlife viewing opportunities
Eight hours on the water around Anna Maria Island means you're in for some serious fishing. This isn't a quick trip out and back – we're talking about a full commitment to finding fish in some of the most productive inshore waters on Florida's Gulf Coast. Your local captain knows these mangrove-lined flats and protected bays like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod before. The beauty of Anna Maria Island fishing is that you get variety – from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper pockets where tarpon roll. Plus, you'll likely see dolphins working bait, ospreys diving, and maybe even a manatee or two cruising by.
Your day starts early, which is exactly what you want for top-rated inshore fishing. Anna Maria Island's protected waters offer the perfect playground for targeting multiple species without dealing with rough seas. Your captain will read the conditions – tide, wind, water temperature – and adjust the game plan accordingly. Some days that means starting in the mangroves for snook, other days you might hit the flats first for redfish and trout. The boat stays in relatively shallow water, so you won't deal with seasickness like you might on offshore trips. Expect to move around quite a bit throughout the day as your guide chases the bite, and don't be surprised if you end up in spots that look like nothing special but hold plenty of fish. The captain provides all the tackle, bait, and local knowledge – you just need to show up ready to fish and follow instructions.
Inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island is all about versatility and reading the water. Your captain will switch between live bait fishing and artificial lures depending on what the fish want that day. Live shrimp and pilchards are go-to baits, especially when targeting snook around structure or trout on the grass flats. You'll also throw plenty of artificials – soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that can cover water quickly and trigger reaction strikes. The tackle stays relatively light, typically spinning gear in the 15-20 pound class, which gives you a real fight when you hook into a slot redfish or tarpon. Fishing the mangroves requires accuracy – you'll be casting tight to cover where snook like to ambush prey. On the flats, it's more about covering water and looking for nervous baitfish, tailing redfish, or trout slicks. Your guide handles the boat positioning, which is crucial in shallow water, while you focus on making good casts and working your baits properly.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and provide non-stop action when they're around. These sleek fish typically run 1-3 pounds and hit fast-moving lures with authority. They school up heavily during their peak seasons in spring and fall, and when you find them, you can catch them as fast as you can cast. Mackerel love silver spoons and small jigs retrieved quickly through the water column. They're perfect for getting kids or nervous first-timers hooked on fishing because they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size.
Snook are the crown jewel of Anna Maria Island fishing and the reason many anglers become obsessed with these waters. These ambush predators hang around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridges where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. A good snook runs anywhere from 20-35 inches, and the bigger ones will test your drag and your patience. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off in structure. Best fishing happens around moving water during dawn and dusk, though a skilled captain can find them throughout the day in shaded areas.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are crafty bottom dwellers that require finesse and patience. These fish are notorious bait stealers, but when you figure out their game, they provide excellent table fare and a fun challenge. They typically range 12-16 inches around Anna Maria Island, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. Summer months bring the best snapper action, and they're perfect targets when other species slow down during midday heat.
Tarpon are the ultimate inshore game fish and Anna Maria Island's claim to fame. These silver kings can range from juvenile "peanut" tarpon around 10-20 pounds up to massive fish exceeding 100 pounds. Tarpon season peaks in late spring and summer, when migrations bring fish of all sizes through the area. Even a small tarpon will give you a fight you'll never forget, with spectacular jumps and long runs that'll have your arms burning. Most tarpon are released, making this a true sport fishing experience.
Redfish are perhaps the most reliable target species and a customer favorite for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats and mangrove edges, often in schools that can number in the hundreds. A quality red runs 18-27 inches – the coveted "slot" size – and provides a strong, steady fight without the acrobatics of tarpon or snook. Reds are excellent table fare and relatively easy to target, making them perfect for building confidence. They feed year-round but are especially active during cooler months when they school up in large numbers.
Anna Maria Island's inshore fishing scene is world-class, but the best dates fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. This full-day charter gives you maximum time to experience what makes these waters special – diverse species, scenic beauty, and the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. With everything provided except your fishing license, all you need to do is show up ready for a day on the water. Whether you're looking to check tarpon off your bucket list, put some fresh snook on the dinner
This 24' Privateer center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island's productive waters. With its 300 Yamaha engine, you'll reach those hidden mangrove pockets and grass flats where snook, redfish, and tarpon like to hang out. The boat's fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking spooky fish in shallow water. GPS navigation gets you to the hotspots efficiently, and the spacious layout comfortably handles up to 5 anglers without feeling cramped. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long 8-hour days on the water. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working the oyster bars for trout, this rig has everything you need for a productive day of inshore fishing in Tampa Bay's world-class fishery.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are smart, copper-colored fish that usually run 10-14 inches inshore but can reach 3-4 pounds around good structure. These opportunistic feeders love mangroves, docks, rocks, and oyster bars where they can ambush prey. They're active year-round in our warm waters but bite best during moving tides, especially at night when they feed most actively. Guests enjoy them because they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat and they provide steady action once you find them. They're notorious bait stealers though - these fish are smart and will pick apart your offering. The key is using a small 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Patience pays with mangrove snapper - less movement is better.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, typically running 18-27 inches on our shallow flats. These fish love water so shallow their backs sometimes show, cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet. They're most active during moving tides and cooler parts of the day, with consistent action year-round in our area. Guests love redfish because they fight hard, make great table fare with mild, sweet meat, and often provide explosive topwater action. They'll eat everything from live shrimp to big topwater plugs. The trick with reds is staying quiet and making long casts - they spook easily in shallow water. When sight-fishing, lead them by a few feet and let your bait settle naturally rather than working it aggressively.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets, typically running 18-28 inches with that signature black lateral line and sloped forehead. These ambush predators love structure - mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months and around dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. What guests love about snook is their explosive strikes and strong fights, plus they're catch-and-release only which adds to the challenge. They feed on everything from shrimp to mullet, making them fun on both live bait and artificial lures. My go-to tip: work your bait slowly along mangrove edges and be patient - snook will follow a lure for a long time before committing, so don't give up on that perfect cast too quickly.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silvery fish with distinctive yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet and weigh 2-3 pounds around Anna Maria Island. These speedsters love open water near structures and are most active during warmer months, especially spring through fall. You'll find them schooling near the surface around grass flats, oyster bars, and channel edges. What makes them popular with guests is their aggressive strikes and tasty, mild white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They hit fast-moving lures like spoons and jigs, plus live bait like sardines and shrimp. Here's a local trick: when you spot diving birds working baitfish, get there quick - spanish mackerel are usually feeding below them, and a silver spoon trolled through that action will get hammered.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate inshore challenge - these silver giants average 80-100 pounds and can stretch 6 feet long around Anna Maria Island. They patrol shallow flats, channels, and passes, often rolling on the surface during warmer months from April through October. What makes tarpon legendary is their acrobatic jumps - they'll leap 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. Most guests target them for the thrill since they're mainly catch-and-release due to bony, tough meat. They feed on everything from crabs to mullet, and both live bait and flies work well. The biggest mistake anglers make is setting the hook too hard - tarpon have bony mouths, so once you feel the weight, just keep steady pressure and let the fish do the work. When they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip.
Anna Maria Island