Fishing is a ‘must’ on Anna Maria Island. It makes for a great excuse to get out of your cozy Anna Maria Island vacation rentals and explore the outdoors. Whether you are an experienced fisherman (or fisherwoman) or new to the rod and reel, you can book one of these Anna Maria Island fishing charters and enjoy the Anna Maria Island weather and a day of fishing on the wide-open turquoise water.
On a Mission Fishing Charters
Head on out from your beachfront rental and journey down to On a Mission Fishing Charters in Bradenton. Captain Taylor Cowieson is an experienced fishing guide who spends somewhere between 250-300+ days on the water each year! He knows the waters of Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, and the Gulf from Siesta Key in the north to Fort Desoto and Egmont Key in the south. He fishes for Snook, Tarpon, Kingfish, Seatrout, Redfish, Snapper, Grouper, Kingfish, and Sharks. Total beginners are welcome aboard, and Captain Cowieson does his best to make sure kids who come aboard have a fun time fishing over the side of the deck.
You can choose to fish inshore (in the bay) or nearshore (around 9 miles of the Gulf of Mexico) along Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, Sarasota Bay, Longboat Key, Tampa Bay, and the Manatee River.
Trips can be set at either 4, 6, or 8 hours, and up to 5 anglers can fish aboard Captain Cowieson’s 23-foot vessel.
Inshore fishing goes around Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay, sticking to the grass flats, oyster bars, and mangroves. There, you’ll find a lot of Redfish, Snook, and Trout. You might even find Pompano, Flounder, Ladyfish, or Jack Crevelle. Live baits and lures are used, as is a light tackle. Bonus: You’re always just 10-20 minutes from a restroom!
Nearshore charters are fun for experienced adult anglers and kids alike. These can go out 9 miles into the Gulf and use a few techniques at the spots where they stop. You can drop your bait to the bottom by using weights or trolling plugs from behind the boat to lure in pelagic fish that swim higher in the water. You might wind up hooking a Permit, Cobia, or even a Shark out there! Light and medium tackle are used on these charters, in addition to trolling setups. There is also a hand line for those amazing Goliath Groupers.
If you plan to do Tarpon fishing, those charters run from May to July and happen along Anna Maria Island beaches and major passes of Sarasota and Bradenton.
Bass n Bay Charters
Bass n Bay Charters features saltwater and freshwater fishing trips. Take a saltwater charter around Bradenton and Anna Maria or do some freshwater fishing around Tampa, Palmetto, and Sarasota. You can even book alligator hunts for August and September each year. Around the same time, you can take a Largemouth Bass fishing trip around Lake Okeechobee and Lake Istokpoga.
You can choose to do artificial bait trips for novices, which includes a lot of one-on-one training with Captain Brady. There are even sightseeing tours for folks who just want to relax and maybe see some dolphins and manatees.
Plan Your Vacation
If you are looking to book the perfect home away from home to retreat to after a day of fishing on the water, contact us today and find your Anna Maria Island vacation rental!
Book a half- or full-day trip. Half-day trips last 4 hours. You can also do 3 trips in 2 days on Lake Okeechobee where you stand a good chance of catching some Florida Largemouth Bass. You can also add an inshore, offshore, or combination that takes you around Tampa Bay.
You’ll spend enough time in the water, whether you’re in one of the pools at our Anna Maria Island rentals or at the beach. However, getting out on the water and doing some Anna Maria Island fishing is a thrilling way to spend the day. You never know what you might end up reeling in, and beginners will feel just as at-ease as advanced anglers.
