Tag: fishing

Local Fishing Charters for Anna Maria Island

Gone Fishin’

Ready for a trip out on the waters off of Anna Maria Island? Because I know I am.

This list of local fishing charters should help you get an idea of how many options there are to choose from, and which one suits what you’re looking for in a fishing trip:

 

Southernaire Fishing Charters
Captain: Danny Stasny 
Phone: (941) 744-7413
Email: southernairefishingcharters@gmail.com
Specializes in: Live-bait backwater and near shore fishing
Boat Type: 23 foot C-Hawk Tower Boat powered by a quiet 200 hp Yamaha 4 stroke motor

Captain Matt Fishing Charters

 

Captain Matt Fishing Charters 
Captain: Matt Ercoli
Phone: (941) 447-9888
Email: captainmatt@captainmatt.com
Specializes in: Inshore fishing, offshore fishing, tarpon fishing, and Tampa Bay fly fishing
Boat Type: 24ft. custom Sheaffer with new 225 Suzuki four stoke

 

Anna Maria Charters
Captain: David White
Phone:  941-725-1860
Specializes in: Inshore spinning & fly fishing, tarpon trips on spinning gear or fly, inshore & nearshore fishing, and offshore fishing.
Types of Boats: 
.  18′ BVT  (Beavertail Skiff), powered by 115hp Mercury 4 stroke. Used for shallow water applications inshore and fly fishing.
. 23’ AQUASPORT powered by 225 hp Yamaha Outboard. Used for inshore and near-shore fishing.
. 24′ ROBIN powered by 300hp 4 stroke. Used for near shore water applications and used up to 9 miles offshore (popular for tarpon fishing).
.  30’ Cobia. Used for offshore fishing.

 

Back Country Sport Fishing

Back Country Sport Fishing
Captain: Todd Romine
Phone: (941) 920-5049
Email: Capttoddrom@aol.com

 

Captain Logan Bystrom
Phone: 941-713-1265
Email: loganbystrom@aol.com
Boat Type: 25′ Dorado Fishing Boat

 

Captain Josh Fishing Charters
Captain: John Peurifoy
Phone: (941) 447-6345
Email: captainjoshcharters@gmail.com
Specializes in: Inshore fishing, offshore fishing, fly fishing, and fun runs

 

AMI Charters

AMI Charters
Captain: Scott
Phone:  (941) 348-2035
Email: scott@amicharters.com
Specializes in: Inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, night fly fishing, family tours, sunset cruises, and fun runs

 

Reel Cortez Charters
Phone: 941-538-4290
Email: Reelcortez@gmail.com
Specializes in: Inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, and offshore fishing
Boat Type: 32′ Luhrs Open

 

Anna Maria Inshore Fishing
Captain: Kyle Taylor
Phone:  (941) 345-7182
Email: annamariainshorefishing@tampabay.rr.com
Specializes in: Inshore fishing
Boat Type: 2016 custom built 24ft T-Craft

 

Grande Tarpon Charters

Grande Tarpon Charters

Captain: Jason Wightman
Phone: (941) 759-3745
Email: Jason@GrandeTarpon.com
Specializes in: Inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, and tarpon fishing
Boat Type: 2310 Action Craft Coastal Bay

 

Cortez Deep Sea Fishing
Captain: Lance Plowman
Phone: (941) 795-6969
Email: info@cortezdeepseafishing.com
Specializes in: Deep sea fishing
Boat: 62’ US Coast Guard Inspected fishing vessel.

 

 

 

 

Annual Anna Maria Island Bayfest

 

If you plan to be on or near Anna Maria Island in mid-October, than you’ll definitely want to check out the annual Anna Maria Island Bayfest on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria City! This is an extremely entertaining , family friendly festival that will definitely please everyone in your group, no matter their age. The event features; a classic car show, a great lineup of live music, tons of yummy food vendors from popular local restaurants, adult beverages, arts and crafts vendors, a kid zone, and of course plenty of fun.

Bayfest usually takes place the third Saturday of October from about 10am to 9pm, and there is no charge for admission. It’s the longest running  music, crafts and food festival, and continues to be one of the most popular Island events every year. If you don’t already have plans to be here, you should make some!

When: Usually the third Saturday of October
Where: Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL, 34216
Time: 10am to 9pm
Ticket Price: FREE
Parking Info: There are a few options for parking/transportation:
. Take a ride on the free island trolley to Pine Ave.
. You can park at Crosspointe Fellowship Church (8605 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217) and hop on the free trolley that will be transporting people from the church, to the City Pier at the end of Pine Ave.
. There is some neighborhood street parking but BE CAUTIOUS. Pay attention to the signs that indicate where parking is permitted, make sure all four tires are off the road and sidewalks, and park with the direction of traffic.

Click here for a vendor application

Crowds gather for the Bayfest event in Anna Maria City

The Annual Cortez Fishing Festival

 

The Cortez Fishing Festival, a local tradition and rightly so with the delicious fresh seafood and old Florida atmosphere it brings. The festival which takes place in Cortez’s historic fishing village is a fun filled day for everyone. Enjoy fantastic live music, nautical art, and plenty of delicious seafood for you to munch on. This event is a favorite for visitors and locals, which is why it draws a crowd of around 20,000 people! The Cortez Fishing Festival certainly keeps growing and getting better each year. The festival is organized entirely by a volunteer committee of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.), a Florida not-for-profit corporation.

*Expert tip: the earlier/later you get to the festival, the less of a crowd there will be. If you don’t enjoy large crowds, avoid going mid-day*

What you need to know:

Where:
Cortez Fishing Village
Cortez, FL 34215

When:
Usually takes place the 3rd weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of February.

Time:
10am to 6pm

Admission:
Adults – $4
Children 12 and under – FREE

Parking:
Every year there is something new at the Festival. Festival goers will want to note that there is a remote parking area in west Bradenton. You can avoid the traffic and enjoy the bus ride with your friends to the Festival ($2.50 round trip). The new parking site is located at G. T. Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton, 34209). Just turn east off of 59th St. onto 33rd Ave. W. You can’t miss it. As in past years, this same shuttle service is being provided from the remote parking area located at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island. Island folks can take the free trolley to the parking site.

Also, the parking area just east of the village off of Cortez Road has been expanded again this year. But get there early or later in the day as this parking area tends to fill up quickly. Parking spots open up later in the day.

Another option is to park in the western part of town. Many folks manage small parking areas throughout the village with some charging a fee depending on how close they are to the village.

Winter Fishing Is Coming

Anna Maria Island Winter fishing is coming! The island is cooling down, and while the fishing is changing from summer patterns to winter, it is still good–especially on a nice outgoing tide.

Anna Maria Island October Fishing

While the bait hasn’t been as thick, there has still been no problem filling the live wells with pin-fish and shiners. I also like to start getting a few dozen shrimp this time of year as well before taking my clients out in pursuit of redfish, snook, trout, tripletail, and even some of the remaining mackerel and bonito off of the beaches.

October/Early November Fishing Tips

Tips: If using live bait, I’m using both circle and j-hooks in size 2 or 4 with a 6 foot 20lb. fluorocarbon leader, hooking the shiners through the nose. Fish up-current of any structure you may be fishing, or in the case of targeting triple-tail (which is both a fun catch and a delicious meal) just get your bait as close as you can to the crab-trap buoy as they are not very picky.

If using artificial bait, I have been having luck with a myriad of options; but primarily weedless silver spoons for mackerel, bonito, trout. Use gold spoons for Redfish, hard jerk-baits for Snook, and DOA shrimp for just about everything (I prefer white) and that has been getting it done consistently.

If fly fishing, light colored bait fish patterns will do the trick if targeting the mackerel, bonito, or triple tail. If targeting schools of redfish I like to use either a crab pattern, or baitfish pattern with a soft outer presentation to avoid spooking them. I use a 20lb. fluorocarbon leader for this as well, but it might not hurt to throw a 25lb. shock tippet on the end of leader as well to combat abrasion.

The seasons are changing and winter is coming, but that doesn’t mean the fishing has to cool off. Get out there and have some fun with Anna Maria Island Winter Fishing!

Tight Lines!

Capt. Scott Kinsman

AMI Charters

scott@amicharters.com

(941) 348-2035

instagram: @ami.charters

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amicharters

Post Irma Fishing Report – Juvenile Tarpon and Snook

Post Irma Fishing Report

In the week following the storm, the water clarity was off as one would expect it to be after Tampa Bay was nearly emptied and refilled by the storm. The fishing is still lights out right now.

Post Irma Fishing Report
Lots of juvenile Tarpon around lately!

Snook

There are still a fair amount of snook stacked up off of the beaches right now, as well as back in some of the bigger inlet mangroves. There are quite a few reports of good redfish days out there as well right now so look to the mangroves at high tide and the flats at low tide. And don’t forget about docks. When using conventional tackle, use 20 lb. fluorocarbon leaders with size 4 hooks. Use large shiners for bait (plenty can still be found off the beaches right now).

If targeting these snook on the fly, your best bet is to hit one of the dock lights at night as there are a lot of them piled up there once the sun goes down. Use 20# leader and the smallest flies you have.

Tarpon

Also, if you can find the right spots (think tucked away), the sunset bite for juvenile tarpon right now is really kicking–and there’s no better way to hook them than on light tackle or on the fly! I keep my rigs the same as above using clean 20# leaders and haven’t had a problem keeping them on.

When fishing for these tarpon on the fly you’ll want to wait until you see a roll or a boil on the surface and cast immediately in front of it. Sight-casting has been far more effective than blind casting for these tarpon. Use a small or medium sized bait fish pattern and make every cast count.

Tight Lines!

Capt. Scott Kinsman

AMI Charters

scott@amicharters.com

(941) 348-2035

instagram: @ami.charters

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amicharters

 

 

Anna Maria Island August Fishing Report – It’s Hot Out There!

Anna Maria Island August fishing has been almost as hot as the weather. While those water temps don’t always translate into the best mid-afternoon fishing, the morning and evening bite has been great – especially on a strong outgoing tide.

Anna Maria Island August Fishing

The bait has been thick, and there has been no problem blacking out the live-wells quickly with plenty of shiners and pin-fish. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to get some shrimp as well for some of the sheepshead I have seen lounging around some of the docks in the area.

After the bait is loaded up, I have been picking my clients up in the morning and taking them to some spots a little further south of the island in pursuit of mangrove snapper, snook, trout, ladyfish, and some spanish mackerel.

August Fishing Tips

Tips: If using live bait, I recommend a size 4 or 6 hook and a 6 foot 20lb. fluorocarbon leader, hooking the shiners through the nose. When you find yourself getting into mackerel (or you get a bite and it breaks you off), switch over to long-shank hooks to combat their toothy bite.

If using artificial bait, I have been having luck with a myriad of options; but primarily weedless silver spoons, topwater spooks, and DOA shrimp (I prefer white) have been getting it done consistently.

If fly fishing, I recommend sight-fishing from the beaches (or dock lights at night) for snook using a small EP glass minnow of the chartreuse/silver/white variety. I use a 20lb. fluorocarbon leader for this as well, but it might not hurt to throw a 25lb. shock tippet on the end of leader as well to combat abrasion.

Regardless of the method, the fishing has been fun out there if you can withstand the heat so remember to get out early, watch the tides, and wear plenty of sunscreen!

Tight Lines!

Capt. Scott Kinsman

AMI Charters

scott@amicharters.com

(941) 348-2035

instagram: @ami.charters

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amicharters

Anna Maria Island August Fishing
Fly Fishing for Snook around Anna Maria Island grass flats.

Best 4 seafood restaurants around Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria- If you’re looking for exceptional seafood, you’re at the right place! With water surrounding almost all of Anna Maria, it’s no doubt our restaurants have access to the best seafood. All within 20 minutes of the island, here are four restaurants that you’re sure to love!

Seafood Restaurants

1. The Ugly Grouper Bar & Grill

Located on the island, The Ugly Grouper is right across the street from our Marina Drive office. They serve delicious food such as grouper sandwiches and mahi fish tacos along with meals for people who don’t care as much for seafood.  Also, all of their fish is fresh off the coast of Anna Maria, so you’re sure to get fresh fish. The Ugly Grouper has a history here on Anna Maria Island, as it was previously The Barefoot Tiki Bar and even before that a gas station! Take a look at the menu here.

The Ugly Grouper seafood restauraunt
Stop in for a bite at the Ugly Grouper! Photo courtesy of www.bradenton.com

2. Derek’s

Found on Manatee Avenue, Derek’s is prided on its ever-changing menu and good food. They serve wild pink shrimp pasta, blackened salmon and much more. Whether you want to have a causal luncheon or a fancy dinner, Derek’s is the perfect place to go. They do accept reservations and are open from 5am-10pm Monday-Saturday.

Derek's seafood
Photo Courtesy of www.dereks-bradenton.com

3. Mar Vista

Mar Vista resides in Longboat Key and is casual place to get great seafood. Some of their best dishes are a Grouper sandwich and Scallops Mar Vista. Another cool aspect of Mar Vista is its history on Longboat Key. It was one of the first structures built by Rufus Jordan in 1912 and has withstood hurricanes and erosion. Still in the original building, Mar Vista is an extremely interesting place to visit that has tasty food!

Mar Vista seafood
Enjoy yummy food along with a historic atmosphere at Mar Vista! Photo from www.tripadvisor.com

4. Starfish Company Market

If you’re wanting to cook your own or buy already cooked seafood Starfish Company is the perfect place to go. Located off Cortez, they sell locally caught seafood such as fish, scallops, and shrimp. Starfish Co. was started in the 1920’s and sits on one of the few remaining working waterfronts. With an absolutely gorgeous view, Starfish Co. is a must visit when vacationing here on Anna Maria.

Seafood at Starfish Company
Come visit Starfish Company for delicious food and a great view!

Anna Maria Island Fishing Charters June 8th – 13th 2015 Fishing Report

Tarpon Fishing Anna Maria Island

This week we have transitioned to a little deeper water with the Mangrove Snapper bite being the most constant around structure in water depths of the 10ft – 20ft range. Most days we are limiting out on Snapper. When we are fishing for Snapper we have been catching Gag Grouper in the 20″-25″ range (the season opens July 1st for Gag Grouper) along with Bonita, Kingfish, and some smaller sharks. The Tarpon bite has slowed down with most of the fish heading offshore to spawn, but we are still managing to hook and Jump Tarpon on the trips we are targeting them (Tarpon Video from this Week). The Inshore bite has been challenging at times and is remaining inconstant. This week we were in-between moon phases and the tide not really moving all that much, which did not help for the inshore bite. We are still managing to catch a lot of 25″ range Snook along grass edges in depths of 2ft-3ft (Snook Video from this Week) and keeper Trout on grass patches in 3ft to 4ft. The Redfish bite has been the most challenging. I’m seeing quite a few Redfish but they don’t seem to want to eat. I have tried all kinds of different methods/ presentations  and the Redfish just have not  been reacting or responding to much.  Next week we will see the New Moon which will bring us better tides and the Inshore bite should get better. If you are looking to book at fishing charter or fishing trip and are near Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete, or Tampa areas book with Anna Maria Inshore Fishing, LCC call Fishing Guide Capt. Kyle (941) 345-7182  www.annamariainshorefishing.com

Grouper Fishing Anna Maria Island

Snook Fishing Longboat Key

2015 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

Cortez – The 33rd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, February 14th-15th from 10:00am – 6:00pm. Art, music and seafood will bring scores of people to the historic Cortez fishing village and you won’t want to miss it!

cortez commercial village festival

Admission – $3.00 for Adults – Children 12 under free

To find Cortez Village on a map, locate Bradenton which is about 50 miles south of Tampa. Find State Road 684, known locally as Cortez Road or 44th Avenue, and go west to the beaches.

Remote Parking for the Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

Every year there is a something new at the Festival. Festival goers will want to note that there is a remote parking area in west Bradenton. You can avoid the traffic and enjoy the bus ride with your friends to the Festival ($2.50 round trip). The new parking site is located at G. T. Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton, 34209). Just turn east off of 59th St. onto 33rd Ave. W. You can’t miss it.

As in past years, this same shuttle service is being provided from the remote parking area located at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island. Island folks can take the free trolley to the parking site.

Also, the parking area just east of the village off of Cortez Road has been expanded again this year. But get there early or later in the day as this parking area tends to fill up quickly. Parking spots open up later in the day.

Another option is to park in the western part of town. Many folks manage small parking areas throughout the village with some charging a fee depending on how close they are to the village.

The Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is organized entirely by a volunteer committee of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.), a Florida not-for-profit corporation.

Fishing, Boat Tours, Charter Tours Anna Maria Island!

Charter Tours Anna Maria Island are fun! There’s no better place to spend a day out fishing and/or boating than the crystal clear Gulf of Mexico!

Charter Tours Anna Maria Island

Grouper, Snapper, Sharks, Trigger Fish, Spanish Mackerel and many other species are found off Anna Maria Island depending on the season. The surrounding water around Anna Maria Island is a small boat fishers’ playground where you’ll find snook as well as red fish.

There are charter guides where you’ll be sure to catch a glimpse of a dolphin or a manatee!  They will bring you around to the shallow parts of the waters to pick up shells, starfish and sand dollars!   Some charters offer sunset sails, Egmont Key Expeditions, full moon sails, private charters, dolphin watching, etc.  Some charters will also include some of the same amenities of home: A/C, head, galley, and soft drinks, along with rods, bait, ice, tackle, license, permits and instructions for new beginners, and will even clean your fish for you.

Here are just some, of many, places that offer fishing, boating & charters:

AMICharters Salt Water Adventures
Captain Scott
(941) 348-2035

Anna Maria Island Fishing Charters
P.O. Box 329 Anna Maria, FL 34216
(941) 778-4498

Captain Mike’s Charters
Kingfish Boat Ramp 752 Manatee Ave W. Holmes Beach, FL 34217
(941) 778-1404

Cortez Kat Party Boat Fishing Charters
12507 Cortez R.West, Cortez.
Bradenton, FL 34215
795-6969
(888) 844-4140

Galati Charter Fishing
900 South Bay Blvd Anna Maria, FL 34216
(941) 778-0755

Kathleen D. Charters
1000 1st Ave. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 870-4349

Rod and Reel Pier
875 North Shore Dr. Anna Maria, FL 34216
(941) 778-1885

Stray Dog Charters
12507 Cortez Road, West
794-5615