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.

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

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!

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

Anna Maria City Pier with Tami

Tami pier

Hiya friends! It’s Tami Turtle here again! Have you been to the Anna Maria City Pier this year? I have! Here are a few fun facts about one of Anna Maria’s most historic sites!

  • The pier is 750 feet long!
  • Located at the end of the pier is the City Pier Restaurant and Gift Shop, a favorite for locals.
  • The pier was originally built as a dock in 1911 for trade and travel.
  • The Anna Maria City Pier is one of the top fishing spots in the entire Bradenton area!
  • The pier has suffered severe hurricane damage four times, yet still stands strong in its (almost) original form.

Bradenton Beach Marina Boat Rentals

Bradenton Beach MarinaThe Bradenton Beach Marina has the largest fleet of boat rentals on Anna Maria Island.  It is located at 402 Church Ave, in Bradenton Beach.  BBM purchased many new boats in 2013 including 18’ Bowriders.  They rent everything from Jet Skis to large pontoon boats by the hour or by the day.

Anna Maria Island’s geographical location creates lots of opportunities to explore.  The Gulf of Mexico opens up to its east, Tampa Bay to the North, the Manatee River to the west and Sarasota Bay to the south.  With a boat or Jet Ski, you can explore it all.  Perhaps you’d enjoy a day trip to Egmont Key, or a quick run to Sarasota for dinner.

For more information, check out their website or give them a call (941) 778-2288.

Need some Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals that allow for docking a boat?  No problem, we have the answers for your perfect vacation home on a canal.  Be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

Seaduced Watercraft Adventures: Power meets water

Power meets the sea with Seaduced Watercraft Adventures.  Seaduced, is located at Mainsail Marina just south of Island Real Estate’s main office in Holmes Beach.  Seduced Watercraft Adventures rents everything from power fishing boats to large pontoons and deck boats.

Anna Maria Island’s geographical location creates lots of opportunities to explore.  The Gulf of Mexico opens up to its east, Tampa Bay to the North, the Manatee River to the west and Sarasota Bay to the south.  No matter which direction you choose to explore, Seaduced has the equipment and expertise to make it an unforgettable adventure.  It now offers excursions, including nature tours, sunset sails and discovery sailing courses.

For more information, check out their website or give them a call (866) 835-7995.

Want more great information on boats and watercraft?  Island Real Estate has plenty of information to help with your prefect Anna Maria Island Vacation.  Visit our fishing and boat tour information page.

31st Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

cortez commercial fishing festival

What were you doing 31 years ago? In Cortez, just 10 minutes south of Anna Maria Island, the 1st Annual Commercial Fishing Festival was fast approaching.

February 16 -17, 2013 will bring the 31st Annual Cortez Fishing Festival to the community along with live music, children’s activities, nautical arts & crafts, environmental exhibits, beer, and were we forgetting something? Oh yeah, seafood!

This event is a must for anyone considering themselves a fisher or looking for a fun filled festival, and attracts an average crowd of around 25,000 guests. Entertainment will include live music from Passerine, Shanty Singers, Eric von Hahmann, Soul R Coaster, Razing Cane, Soupy Davis and his Band, Shotgun Justice, and Scott’s Garage. Check below for a full schedule of live music! Proceeds benefit the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.) Preserve.

Bring the whole family for some fun! Admission is $3 for adults. Kids 12 and under attend free! The event runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on both days.

Parking can be found at Coquina Beach with shuttles to Cortez ($2 round trip). Expanded free parking will also be available one block east of 119th Street off Cortez Road, in the village (5 minute walk).

Cortez Village
119th Street
Bradenton, FL 34209

Main Stage Schedule

Saturday February 16th

10:00 – 11:30 am Passerine
11:30 – 12:00 pm Shanty Singers
12:00 – 12:15 pm Awards and Introductions
12:30 – 2:00 pm Eric von Hahmann
2:30 – 4:00 pm Soul R Coaster
4:30 – 6:00 pm Razing Cane

Sunday February 17th

10:30 – 11:30 am Soupy Davis and his Band
12:00 – 1:30 pm Eric von Hahmann
2:00 – 3:30 pm Shotgun Justice
4:00 – 5:30 pm Scott’s Garage