Advanced Half Day Fishing in Anna Maria Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour advanced inshore fishing trip with expert Captain Norvin EubankTarget redfish, snook, trout and mangrove snapper using advanced techniquesPrivate charter for two guests focusing on trophy catches
Ready to step up your inshore game? This isn't your typical family fishing trip. Captain Norvin Eubank runs a tight ship when it comes to advanced saltwater techniques, and this 5-hour private charter is designed for anglers who know their way around a rod. You'll be working the flats, channels, and structure around Anna Maria Island with someone who's spent decades perfecting the art of finding and landing trophy fish. Whether you're looking to dial in your sight fishing or master live bait presentations, this trip puts you in prime waters where redfish, snook, and sharks cruise year-round.
This is fishing education at its finest. Captain Norvin doesn't just put you on fish – he shows you why they're there, how to read the water, and what makes the difference between good anglers and great ones. You'll cover multiple spots throughout the day, from shallow grass flats where redfish tail in two feet of water to deeper channels where snook ambush baitfish. The beauty of Anna Maria Island's inshore waters is the variety. One minute you're sight casting to cruising reds, the next you're working structure for mangrove snapper. With only two anglers max, you get personalized instruction on everything from lure selection to boat positioning. Captain Norvin brings his own vessel, so you know you're fishing from a platform designed for success. The pace stays steady but focused – this isn't about quantity, it's about quality fishing and learning techniques that'll make you a better angler for life.
This trip revolves around skill-building with proven saltwater methods. You'll work with both artificial lures and live bait, learning when each approach shines. Sight fishing takes center stage when conditions allow – there's nothing quite like spotting a tailing redfish and making the perfect cast. Captain Norvin emphasizes reading water structure, understanding tidal flow, and recognizing feeding behavior. You'll practice precision casting to mangroves, working topwater lures over grass flats, and presenting baits in current breaks where predators wait. The gear setup varies based on target species, from lighter tackle for trout to heavier rigs when sharks show up. Expect to learn about leader selection, knot tying under pressure, and fighting fish efficiently. The captain shares real-time decision making – why we're moving spots, what the birds are telling us, and how weather affects fish behavior. These are the details that separate weekend warriors from serious saltwater anglers.
Summer Flounder have been showing up in excellent numbers around Anna Maria Island's sandy bottoms and channel edges. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 14-20 inches here, with some doormat-sized fish pushing 24 inches or better. Early morning and late afternoon produce the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes flounder so rewarding is the challenge – you need to feel that subtle tick when they inhale your bait, then wait for the right moment to set the hook. They fight differently than other species, using their flat profile to create maximum resistance.
Sea Trout remain the bread and butter of Anna Maria Island fishing. These spotted beauties love grass flats and can be found year-round in varying numbers. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 12-inchers to hefty 20-inch gator trout. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live shrimp and artificial lures. The key is finding the right depth – they move shallow to feed then retreat to deeper water during midday heat. Their distinctive spotted pattern and tender mouths make them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and Anna Maria Island's expanses of shallow water create perfect red drum habitat. These bronze fighters average 18-27 inches, with occasional bulls over 30 inches testing your drag system. Fall and winter months bring the biggest schools, but singles and small groups cruise the flats year-round. What sets reds apart is their willingness to feed in skinny water – watching one crush a topwater plug in two feet of water gets your heart racing every time. They're smart, spooky, and incredibly strong fighters that use their broad tails and stamina to test every knot.
Bonnethead Sharks add serious excitement when they show up in the shallows. These smaller members of the hammerhead family average 2-3 feet but pack surprising power. Summer months bring the best bonnethead action as they cruise grass flats hunting crabs and small fish. They're actually quite selective feeders, often requiring precise presentations to trigger strikes. Once hooked, they make blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that'll have you questioning your tackle choices. The distinctive shovel-shaped head makes them instantly recognizable and always photo-worthy.
Blacktip Sharks represent the apex predator experience most anglers crave. These sleek hunters patrol deeper channels and structure around Anna Maria Island, especially during warmer months. They typically run 3-5 feet, with larger specimens pushing 6 feet and testing even experienced anglers. Blacktips are known for spectacular aerial displays when hooked – multiple jumps and tailwalking that creates memories lasting long after the trip ends. They require heavier tackle and wire leaders, making them the ultimate test of angling skills and equipment. The combination of speed, power, and acrobatics makes every blacktip encounter special.
Captain Norvin's advanced fishing trips fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. This isn't just another guided trip – it's an investment in becoming a better angler. The techniques you'll learn, spots you'll fish, and species you'll target make this a standout experience for serious saltwater enthusiasts. With only two anglers per trip, you're guaranteed personalized attention and hands
Meet your fishing machine for this advanced Anna Maria Island adventure - a purpose-built motorboat from Flight Risk Charters that's rigged for serious anglers. This sleek vessel comes loaded with a wireless trolling motor that lets Captain Norvin position you silently over prime redfish and snook spots without spooking the fish. The onboard GPS keeps you locked onto productive waters, while the fish finder reveals exactly where those trophy catches are hiding below. Perfect for two dedicated anglers, this boat gives you the mobility to work the flats, mangroves, and deeper channels where the big ones lurk. With Captain Norvin's expert guidance and this well-equipped platform beneath you, you'll have everything needed to master advanced saltwater techniques and put some serious fish in the boat.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are exciting sharks known for their acrobatic jumps and those distinctive black-tipped fins. These streamlined fighters average 4-5 feet but can reach 8+ feet and really test your tackle. They patrol deeper flats, channel edges, and around structure in 20-100 feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best action when they're actively feeding near shore. Guests love them because they're aggressive feeders and put on quite a show - jumping completely out of the water when hooked. They're also good eating when prepared properly. The trick is using oily baits like mackerel or sardines and creating a good chum slick. Heavy tackle is a must - 30-50 lb gear with circle hooks. Once you hook one, hold on tight!
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the smallest hammerheads around, typically 3-4 feet long with that distinctive shovel-shaped head. These shy sharks cruise shallow bays, grass flats, and sandy channels in schools of 5-15 fish. They're most active during warmer months when they move into our shallow waters to feed on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. What guests love is they're beginner-friendly sharks - not too big but still give a great fight on lighter tackle. They're surprisingly good eating too, with firm white meat. Look for them in 2-8 feet of water around structure. Best bait is fresh blue crab cut in half - hook it through a leg joint. Use a 20-30 lb setup with circle hooks and be patient. Once you find a school, you'll usually catch several.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore gamefish, running anywhere from slot-size 18-27 inchers to bull reds over 40 inches. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs are out of the water. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats where they tail and cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests love sight-fishing for them because of their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights. Plus, slot fish make excellent table fare. The key is staying quiet and making long, accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. Use a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning - they can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches with that beautiful spotted pattern. These guys love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. You'll find them year-round here, but cooler months bring the bigger fish into deeper holes. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also fantastic eating with tender, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. During winter, look for schools in deeper channels where they stack up. My go-to trick is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the sound draws them in from a distance.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are fascinating flatfish that lie sideways on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. These "chameleons of the sea" can change color to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but you can find some real doormat-sized fish pushing 26+ pounds. They're active ambush predators that love shallow sandy areas, especially around structure. Fall months (September-November) are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of sight-fishing for them and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat. Pro tip: hook your baitfish through the eye socket and keep it moving slowly along the bottom. They bite sideways, so give them time to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA