Tag Archives: anna maria island fishing captain

On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding action both inshore and nearshore. Fishing inshore yields catches of snook, redfish and trout, depending on tides and temperature. 

On my Just Reel charters, I’m now carrying live shrimp in the bait tank. Casting shrimp along the beaches over reefs, lime rock and hard bottom areas is leading to a variety of catches. Spotted sea rout, mangrove snapper, flounder small grouper and jacks are just a few of the species I’m seeing reeled up to the boat.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing some good catches of snook and redfish although consistency in the bite is slightly lackluster.

Anna Maria island Fishing Report November 5, 2025 Bridging anglers and science: Tagging program strengthens Gulf conservation With fall temperatures in the air, Anna Maria Island anglers are eager to get out on the water and enjoy the mild temperatures. Fishing the Gulf beaches is going strong for another week as migratory species are on […]

Cooler weather brings high-activity fish to local waters Early morning action along the Gulf beaches remains a hot bite for another week around Anna Maria Island. If you’re into hooking into high-speed fish that fight to the end, these species are right up your alley. Spanish mackerel, bonita, kingfish and jack crevalle are infesting the […]

Moving inshore, targeting snook during the higher stage of the tides is working well. A majority of snook catches are 18-24 inches, lucky anglers are catching some in the slot of 28-33 inches. 

On my Just Reel charters, I’m enjoying the “beach bite” which consists of Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevalle and sharks.

Fishing Report October 8, 2025 Cooler temps prompt migratory species to move into our waters As water temperatures slowly drop around Anna Maria Island, the fishing really heats up.  Water temps approaching 90 degrees — like we experienced this past summer — are now behind us. Although we’re still seeing temps in the low 80s, […]

Fishing Report October 1, 2024 Mack attack — Spanish mackerel invade local waters With a large influx of bait fish, like scaled sardines and threadfin herring, surrounding Anna Maria Island, you can bet on finding Spanish mackerel in the nearshore waters of the Gulf and in the waters of Tampa and Sarasota bays.  The high-speed […]

Fishing Report September 24, 2025 Fall equinox marks end of summer, beginning of great fall fishing As we settle into the third week of September, Anna Maria Island angers are asking themselves does the fall equinox effect the fish? Although the fall equinox doesn’t directly affect fish, it can indirectly affect our fishing conditions by […]