%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F14171%2Fimages%2F1711506031346image-2024-03-27t101909.441.png&w=1200&q=100)
Top-Rated 8-Hour Inshore Fishing | Anna Maria Island
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Anna Maria Island
- $200 - $1,000 price range
- Updated Date: November 29, 2025
Summary
%2F%2Fusers%2F1c9b3a51-9300-413c-8605-ab116ae426d2%2Fratecard%2Fab19.jpeg&w=1200&q=75)
Inshore Action Shots
Cast Your Line: Full Day Fishing on Anna Maria Island
Ready to spend a day chasing fish in some of Florida's most beautiful waters? Our full-day inshore charter on Anna Maria Island is the perfect way to get your line wet and your heart racing. Whether you're an old salt or a total newbie, we've got you covered with everything you need for a day of rod-bending action. From snook hiding in the mangroves to bull redfish cruising the flats, we'll put you on the fish and show you why Anna Maria Island is a angler's paradise.
What to Expect on the Water
Our 8-hour trip kicks off bright and early, so be ready to hit the dock with your game face on. We'll load up the boat with top-notch gear, plenty of bait, and enough ice to keep your catch (and your drinks) cool all day. As we head out, your captain will give you the lowdown on what's biting and where we're likely to find them. We'll hit a mix of spots throughout the day - from grass flats and mangrove shorelines to deeper channels and passes. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - one minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish, the next you could be battling a monster snook under a dock. And don't worry if you're new to this - our guides are patient teachers who love nothing more than seeing a guest land their first big fish.
Fishing Techniques & Gear
Inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island is all about versatility. We'll use a mix of live bait and artificial lures, adjusting our tactics based on what the fish are telling us. You might find yourself tossing a topwater plug for explosive strikes, working a soft plastic jig along the bottom, or free-lining a live pinfish under a mangrove. We provide all the gear you'll need - high-quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, plus a variety of lures and terminal tackle. Our boats are set up for comfort and fishability, with plenty of deck space, stable platforms for casting, and live wells to keep bait frisky. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and polarized sunglasses - they're not just for looks, they'll help you spot fish in the clear shallows.
Top Catches This Season
The inshore waters around Anna Maria Island are teeming with gamefish, and every season brings its own highlights. In the warmer months, big snook move out of the backcountry and prowl the beaches and passes, offering heart-stopping surface strikes. Redfish are a year-round target, but fall brings schools of oversized bulls that can strip line from your reel faster than you can say "fish on!" Spotted seatrout are reliable performers, often found over grass flats and around deeper potholes. And for pure power, nothing beats hooking into a silver king - tarpon season typically peaks from late spring through summer, when these prehistoric giants roll through our waters. No matter when you visit, there's always something worth catching.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Spanish Mackerel: These speedsters are the perfect warm-up fish. They school up in our waters from fall through spring, offering fast action and tasty fillets. Look for birds working the surface - that often means mackerel are pushing bait. A quick-moving spoon or small jig is usually all it takes to get them fired up. They're not huge, averaging 2-4 pounds, but their blistering runs will keep you on your toes.
Snook: The crown jewel of inshore fishing, snook are prized for their fierce fights and crafty nature. These ambush predators love structure, so we'll target them around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings. They're most active at dawn and dusk, which is why an early start can be so crucial. Snook can grow upwards of 40 inches, and their powerful runs and acrobatic leaps make them a bucket-list catch for many anglers. Remember, these are catch-and-release only in our waters, so handle them with care.
Grey Snapper: Don't let their small size fool you - grey snapper (also called mangrove snapper) are some of the wiliest fish in the sea. They're structure-oriented and have keen eyesight, so light leader and stealthy presentations are key. We often find them around docks, reefs, and channel edges. While they average 1-3 pounds, bigger specimens can reach 5-8 pounds. They're also excellent eating fish, so if you're looking to bring home dinner, snapper are a great target.
Tarpon: Known as the "silver king," tarpon are the ultimate gamefish. These prehistoric giants can reach sizes over 150 pounds in our waters. Tarpon fishing is as much about the experience as the catch - watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 6 feet out of the water is something you'll never forget. We typically target them from late spring through summer as they migrate along our coast. Be prepared for long, grueling fights that can last over an hour. It's catch-and-release only, but trust me, you won't mind one bit after feeling the raw power of these fish.
Redfish: If there's one fish that defines inshore fishing in Florida, it's the redfish. These copper-colored brutes are known for their bulldog-like fights and their willingness to eat just about anything. In the shallows, we sight-cast to them, watching for their tails waving above the surface as they root for crabs. In deeper water, we'll use our depth finder to locate schools. Fall brings the famous "bull red" run, when oversized specimens in the 20-40 pound range invade our waters. There's nothing quite like watching your line peel off the reel as one of these giants makes its first run.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Anna Maria Island isn't just about the fishing - it's about the whole package. As we cruise the flats and mangrove shorelines, you'll be treated to some of the most beautiful scenery Florida has to offer. Dolphins often play in our wake, manatees surface lazily nearby, and ospreys dive for their own catch overhead. The calm, protected waters make for a comfortable day even when the open Gulf is rough. And let's not forget the laid-back island vibe - after a day on the water, you can hit one of the local seafood joints and swap fish stories over a cold drink and fresh catch. It's the kind of place that gets under your skin, calling you back year after year.
Time to Book Your Spot
If you're ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer, it's time to get your trip on the calendar. Our full-day charters book up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Whether you're a serious angler looking to cross some species off your list or a family wanting to make some memories on the water, we've got you covered. Pack your sunscreen, grab your lucky hat, and get ready for a day of rod-bending action on the pristine waters of Anna Maria Island. The fish are waiting - are you ready to meet them?
Learn more about the species
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are crafty fish that'll keep you on your toes. You'll find them around structure in 10-100 feet of water - think reefs, wrecks, and mangrove shorelines. They typically run 1-5 pounds, but bigger ones lurk in deeper water. These fish are active year-round, but summer's your best bet for numbers. Anglers love targeting them for their tasty white meat and the challenge they present. Grey Snapper are notoriously wary, so light tackle and stealthy presentations are key. Try using live shrimp or small baitfish on a light fluorocarbon leader. One local trick is to chum with cut bait to get them fired up. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, be ready - these fish are quick to steal bait and duck back into cover. It's a game of patience and finesse, but landing a nice mangrove snapper is always rewarding.
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are a staple of Anna Maria's flats fishing. These copper-colored brutes average 5-10 pounds inshore but can reach 40+ pounds in the open water. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass flats or cruising mangrove shorelines, often in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Fall is prime time as reds school up, but you can catch them year-round. Anglers love sight-fishing for reds - spotting that bronze flash and making the perfect cast is a rush. They're also known for their strong, bulldog-like fights and excellent table fare. To entice a bite, try live shrimp or cut bait. A local trick: look for "nervous water" or muddy spots where reds are rooting for crabs. When you see that characteristic spot near the tail, you know you've found your target. There's nothing quite like the pull of a big red drum in skinny water.
Snook
Snook are the prized catch of Anna Maria's inshore waters. These sleek, powerful fish average 5-15 pounds but can top 30. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and seawalls, especially during warmer months. Snook are ambush predators, so look for them in current breaks and shadows. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps that'll test your skills. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move between inshore and nearshore waters. Anglers love snook for their challenging fight and excellent table fare. To entice a bite, try live bait like pinfish or whitebait. A local tip: work your bait slowly and erratically near structure - snook can't resist an easy meal. Just watch out for their razor-sharp gill plates when handling them. There's nothing quite like the thrill of a big snook crushing your lure in shallow water.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel are speedy swimmers that put up a great fight. You'll find them in schools along both coasts of Florida, typically in 10-40 feet of water near structures like reefs or wrecks. They average 1-3 pounds but can reach up to 12 pounds. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate. Anglers love targeting them for their acrobatic leaps and tasty white meat. To catch Spanish Mackerel, try trolling with small spoons or jigs that mimic their favorite baitfish. A fast retrieve often triggers strikes. Keep an eye out for birds diving - that's a good sign mackerel are feeding near the surface. One local trick is to use a long fluorocarbon leader to prevent their sharp teeth from cutting your line. These fish make for some exciting light tackle action, so be ready for a thrill when you hook into a school of Spanish Mackerel.
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of Anna Maria's waters, and for good reason. These prehistoric giants can top 100 pounds and put on an aerial show like no other fish. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels and along beaches from late spring through summer. Tarpon migrate seasonally, so timing is key. Anglers come from all over to test their skills against these powerful fish. The thrill of a 6-foot tarpon clearing the water after taking your bait is unforgettable. To hook up, try live crabs or pinfish on heavy tackle. Patience is crucial - sometimes you'll see dozens before getting a bite. A local tip: when you feel the weight of the fish, bow to it as it jumps to prevent pulling the hook. Remember, these are catch-and-release only. The fight can last over an hour, but the memory of landing a giant tarpon will last a lifetime.
About the Chasing Limits Charters
%2F%2Fusers%2F1c9b3a51-9300-413c-8605-ab116ae426d2%2Fvehicle_picture%2F39a22cf8-d0df-4ad1-82b4-c03d5114add4.jpeg&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
