Anna Maria Island’s offshore fishing is recognized as the best in the nation and some of the best in the world. The Islands offshore reefs are fed by the fertile breeding grounds of Florida largest estuary Tampa Bay. Which supplies the gulf with a large percentage of its breading grounds for bait and Florida’s favorite game fish that feed on them. The rich Tampa Bay waters mix with the clear blue waters of the gulf. This is what make the area unique in the diversity of fish species the number of fish the surrounding gulf waters are able to support. Anna Maria island charter boats catch Kingfish, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Goliath Grouper, Scamp, Flounder, Mangrove Snapper, Red Snapper, Lane Snapper, Mackerel, False Albacore, Amberjack, Permit, Cobia and a large variety of sharks off the coast of the island. When the offshore fishing is hot it can literally be as fast as you can drop your line in the water. Many of the species listed can be caught in one location so angler never know what may bite the line next. The Snapper, grouper, and flounder are some of the highest quality of eating fish available anywhere and because of their large numbers they are a consistent target. The Kingfish are some of the area’s most exciting fish to catch, because the action is fast, the fish are extremely powerful and can sometimes approach 50 pounds. The permit are the highest prized game fish on earth, many up to 40 pounds are caught off the island reefs every year. If an angler is looking to do battle with a true see monster Goliath grouper from 100 to 500 pounds are readily available, and feed dependable. Hooking one is not the challenge hanging on to a 400-pound goliath and landing him is.
Anna Maria island has year round consistent offshore fishing. The spring and the fall is exceptionally good when the pelagic fish (migratory fish) are moving through. It’s at that time of year when you sit in one spot never pull anchor and catch everything under the sun. In the summer and winter the fishing is still very good but tends to be more of a bottom fishery for resident Grouper and snapper.
The guides affiliated with fishing team work hard to provide their customs with the best Anna Maria Island offshore fishing charters available.