If one of your earliest memories is fishing with a grandparent, we are right there with you. There is nothing quite like making a perfect cast, reeling in slow, then having a big fish take the bait and put up a good fight.
Fishing on Anna Maria Island is a year-round activity. It earns a reputation as the recreational fishing capital of the world. Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, along with the Intracoastal waterways of Anna Maria Sound, anglers find plenty of places to get their hook wet.
And there are plenty of fish to catch. Redfish and spotted sea trout are fun and easy to catch. And make for a tasty meal, as well. Put a shrimp or mullet on your line and troll for Kingfish and Spanish mackerel.
Let’s start with where to fish. Anna Maria Island has two fishing piers. The City Pier is 700-foot-long, and you can snag inshore and nearshore fish. Admission is free. Rod and Reel Pier is just down the beach and only stretches about 350 feet into the bay. There is a fee to fish at the Rod and Reel Pier. Both piers provide great fishing and are open year-round.
The jetties and beaches on the north side of AMI are great places to cast. They are usually less crowded, as is the Coquina Beach Jetty. You can also fish off any of AMI’s beaches, but the less crowded areas make for better catches.
In addition to mullet and shrimp, bait options include sand fleas and cut squid. Lures and soft plastics also work well. How do you know if fish are biting? There are a couple of clues. Watch for fish jumping and birds circling their prey.
If you don’t want to go it alone, book a fishing excursion with AMI Charters, which offers two-hour to eight-hour trips. Their experienced guides take anglers to the best inshore and nearshore fishing holes to target sharks, snook, redfish, trout, pompano, permit, cobia, and other species.
Anglers need a Florida fishing license. Charter trips include the fishing license.
Whether you fish from a boat, a pier, or the beach, wear sunscreen and stay hydrated.