Extended Half Day Fishing Trip in Anna Maria Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutExpert captain teaches advanced saltwater fishing techniquesMaximum two guests for personalized fishing experience
Looking for a solid fishing trip without the crowds? This extended half-day charter with Flight Risk Charters puts you on some of the most productive inshore waters around Anna Maria Island. Captain's got years of experience working these flats and channels, and he's genuinely stoked to share his favorite spots with just you and one other angler. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or trying to add a shark to your bucket list, this private charter gives you the flexibility to target whatever's got you fired up. The best part? You're learning from a captain who lives and breathes saltwater fishing and loves passing on techniques that actually work.
This trip runs longer than your typical half-day, giving you real time to dial in different techniques and work multiple spots. You'll launch from Anna Maria Island and head into the maze of grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines that make this area so productive. The captain knows where fish hold during different tides and seasons, so you're not just casting blind. Expect to move around - one minute you might be working a sandy pothole for trout, the next you're sight-fishing redfish cruising the shallows. The vibe is relaxed but focused, perfect for anglers who want to actually improve their game while putting fish in the boat. With just two anglers max, you get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time.
The captain covers a mix of artificial and live bait techniques depending on what's working and what you want to learn. You might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads for trout, working topwater plugs over grass beds at dawn, or pitching live shrimp to mangrove roots for snapper. He's got the gear dialed in for these waters - medium-light spinning setups that can handle everything from 14-inch trout to 30-inch reds. Circle hooks for live bait, sharp trebles on the artificials, and leaders heavy enough to turn fish away from structure. If you're new to inshore fishing, he'll walk you through reading water, understanding tides, and picking the right presentation. Experienced anglers appreciate his local knowledge and willingness to try different approaches until something clicks.
Redfish are the bread and butter around Anna Maria Island, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats year-round, feeding in water so shallow their backs break the surface. They're aggressive, fight hard, and give you that satisfying thump when they eat. Spring and fall are prime time when schools of 20-30 fish push onto the flats during moving tides. Summer fishing is more about singles and doubles, but the fish are fat and happy from months of steady feeding.
Sea trout might not get the respect they deserve, but a solid gator trout pulling drag in three feet of water will change your mind quick. These spotted fighters love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during cooler months. They're suckers for a well-placed soft plastic or a popping cork with live shrimp. The bigger females show up in winter, and a 20-inch trout is a fish worth bragging about.
Summer flounder add some variety to the mix, especially around sandy holes and channel edges. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand and crush anything that swims by. Dragging a bucktail or bouncing live bait along the bottom is the ticket. They fight different than other inshore species - more of a bulldog battle than the flashy runs of a redfish.
Bonnethead sharks are like the golden retrievers of the shark world - abundant, fun to catch, and perfect for anglers wanting their first shark on light tackle. They cruise the flats in small schools, rooting around for crabs and shrimp. They'll eat cut bait, live shrimp, even small artificials if you're lucky. Great starter sharks that won't test your drag too hard.
Blacktip sharks bring the real excitement. These guys are pure energy - jumping, spinning, and making blistering runs that'll have your reel singing. They patrol deeper flats and channel edges, especially during warmer months. When you hook a blacktip on 15-pound tackle, you know you're in for a ride. They're aggressive feeders and will crush live bait or fresh cut fish.
This extended half-day trip hits the sweet spot between a quick morning bite and a full-day commitment. You get serious fishing time without burning your whole day, and the captain's teaching approach means you'll come back a better angler. Anna Maria Island's inshore waters fish well year-round, but each season brings different opportunities. Spring means schools of reds, summer brings sharks and tarpon, fall fishing is often the best overall, and winter serves up big trout. The captain's flexibility with techniques and target species means every trip is different. Ready to get on some fish and learn from someone who actually knows these waters? This trip books up, especially during prime seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates.
Ready to chase redfish, snook, and more around Anna Maria Island's prime inshore waters? Captain's got you covered aboard Flight Risk Charters – a well-equipped fishing machine built for serious angling. This boat comes loaded with everything you need: wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish in shallow water, GPS to hit those productive spots, plus a fish finder to locate where the action's happening below. Perfect for two anglers who want their own private fishing experience without crowds. Whether you're after that bucket list snook or just want to load up on mangrove snapper and trout, this setup gets you into the fish. Captain knows these waters inside out and loves sharing techniques that actually work – doesn't matter if you're just starting out or been fishing for years. Anna Maria's inshore grounds are packed with opportunities, and this boat puts you right where you need to be.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world - known for those spectacular jumps when hooked. These sleek sharks average 4-5 feet around Anna Maria with those telltale black-tipped fins. They patrol deeper grass flats and channel edges in 20-60 feet, often following baitfish schools. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active in our waters. What makes blacktips special is their explosive energy - they'll jump repeatedly and make blistering runs that'll test your tackle. They're also excellent fighters that won't quit. Use heavy braid with circle hooks and oily baits like mackerel or herring. Start a chum line to draw them in, then be ready for a wild ride when one takes your bait.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the most approachable sharks we target - small hammerheads with that distinctive shovel-shaped head. They typically run 3-4 feet around Anna Maria and travel in schools of 10-15 fish. You'll find them in shallow bays, grass flats, and near shore structure where they hunt crabs and small fish. Warmer months bring the best action as they migrate through our waters. What's cool about bonnetheads is they're completely harmless to humans but still give you that shark experience - strong runs and head-shaking fights. They're also surprisingly good eating. The trick is using fresh blue crab cut in half on a circle hook. Once you hook one, there's usually more around, so keep your bait in the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore fighter - bronze beauties with that distinctive black spot near their tail. Around Anna Maria, they average 20-30 inches and love super shallow water, sometimes so thin their backs stick out. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats, especially on moving tides. They're year-round residents here, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is that bone-jarring strike and bulldogging fight - they'll test your drag every time. Plus they're great eating when kept within slot limits. My secret weapon is a gold spoon worked slowly over the flats. When you see their wake, cast ahead of them and hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets around Anna Maria Island. These silvery fish with distinct black spots typically run 14-20 inches, though we catch plenty of 3-5 pounders. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're feeding actively. Spring through fall offers the best action, with cooler months bringing bigger schools into deeper channels. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're great for beginners but still challenge experienced anglers. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The key is fishing the grasslines at first light with live shrimp under a popping cork - that combination is hard to beat.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of camouflage - these "chameleons of the sea" blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their flat bodies and color-changing abilities. Around Anna Maria, they typically run 15-20 inches and love hanging in 10-30 feet of water near structure and drop-offs. Both eyes sit on their left side, so they lie flat waiting to ambush prey. Fall through winter is prime time when they're most active and easier to locate. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they grab your bait - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig tipped with live shrimp, bounced slowly along the bottom. Keep your drag light because they'll make strong runs once hooked.
Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA