Anna Maria Island Fishing Report February 25, 2026
Wintertime pattern continues with another cold front
Another cold front moved in from the north over the weekend. So Anna Maria Island anglers face cold conditions and windy days on the water.
But with March right around the corner, springtime fishing is in the not-so-distant future.
As for now, anglers fishing inshore are being rewarded with catches of sheepshead, black drum and redfish. Casting live shrimp as bait attracts all three of species to the hook, depending on where you’re fishing.
Reefs and wrecks in Tampa Bay and the Gulf are providing good action on the sheepies.
For the reds and black drum, fishing along the Gulf beaches or in residential canals around docks is working well.
Moving offshore, in depths of 100 feet or more, red grouper seem to be readily available for anglers fishing hard bottom areas. Live and frozen baits are working well.
Snapper fishing is good while offshore. Lane, vermillion and mangrove snapper are being caught frequently.
Lastly, wreck fishing in the Gulf is providing action on amberjack.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing plenty of sheepshead being caught while using live shrimp as bait.
Casting shrimp around structure in the Gulf and Tampa Bay is leading to good numbers of keeper-size fish. There are many smaller sheepshead in the mix.
Fishing along the beaches with shrimp is producing action, especially on black drum and redfish. Both species are responding to baits placed on the bottom with a weighted rig. Spotted seatrout are being located along the beaches where structure exists. Casting artificials like soft plastics on a jig head leads to numerous hook ups on trout, as well as on bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
