MEET THE CAPTAINS AT AMI CHARTERS
CAPTAIN WILL
Captain Will Hakes is the USCG-licensed owner and operator of AMI Charters on Anna Maria Island, Florida. A lifelong angler, Captain Will started fishing at the age of six and has been fishing the waters off Anna Maria Island with legendary Captain Scott — the previous owner of AMI Charters — since he was 12. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of South Florida’s Muma School of Business — yet his true passion has always been on the water.
Specialties:
-
Nearshore and inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island
-
Family-friendly trips for beginners
-
Serious fishing for experienced anglers chasing trophy snook, redfish, and more
Captain Will excels at putting every guest on fish while making sure the day is fun, safe, and memorable.
When he’s not running charters, you’ll find him on the water with his dog Maggie or enjoying a burger, dog (or three) at Duffy’s.
Boat: 24′ T-Craft — designed and manufactured locally in Palmetto, FL by T-Craft Boatworks specifically to serve the fisheries and waters of Anna Maria Island. Stable, spacious, and fully equipped for comfortable, productive saltwater adventures.
Book your trip with Captain Will and experience the difference a true local captain makes.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL
Captain Michael Micocero is a third-generation fisherman, tournament champion, and dedicated year-round waterman with AMI Charters on Anna Maria Island, Florida.
Born and raised in Bradenton, Captain Michael is a USGC-licensed captain and has spent a lifetime mastering these waters — from the shallow backwaters and lush grass flats to the deep sea. Carrying on a proud family legacy built on skill, intuition, and deep respect for the ocean, he began guiding others as a teenager and has never looked back.
Today he specializes in targeting Florida’s most sought-after inshore species — snook, redfish, trout, gag grouper, and mangrove snapper — navigating the bay and grass flats with unmatched precision. His competitive spirit has earned him multiple tournament titles, including 1st place at the 2025 Suncoast Shootout.
Even in the off-season, you’ll still find Captain Mike on the water cast netting mullet or managing stone crab traps. With him, every trip is more than just a fishing charter — it’s a chance to truly experience the beautiful waters of Anna Maria Island.
Specialties:
-
Premier inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay
-
Targeting snook, redfish, trout, gag grouper, and mangrove snapper
-
Skilled, high-success trips for anglers of all ages and skill levels
Boat: 24′ Hanson Center Console — a versatile, shallow-draft vessel perfectly suited for the bay, grass flats, and nearshore waters of Anna Maria Island.
Book your trip with Captain Michael and fish with a true local champion who lives and breathes these waters.
CAPTAIN BLAKE
Captain Blake Chitwood is a USCG-licensed 25-Ton Master Captain with AMI Charters on Anna Maria Island, Florida.
Raised on and around the waters of Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay, Captain Blake realized early in life that his true passion was saltwater fishing. After graduating from Roanoke College with a degree in Business/Finance and spending several years in the corporate world, he made the decision to leave the office behind and pursue his dream on the water full-time.
Earning his 25-Ton Master Captain’s license, Blake now focuses on delivering memorable inshore and nearshore fishing experiences. Whether he’s chasing game fish around Anna Maria Island, exploring mountain lakes in Virginia, or targeting coastal species in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic, he’s always in pursuit of the most productive bites and the best days on the water.
What truly drives Captain Blake is seeing his guests light up with excitement. He’ll be the first to tell you it’s no longer about catching fish himself — it’s about the thrill of watching others reel in their own success. He’d happily never catch another fish if it meant his customers went home smiling and laughing every single trip.
Specialties:
-
Inshore and nearshore fishing around Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay
-
Targeting trophy snook, redfish, trout, and other popular Gulf game fish
-
Fun, high-success trips for anglers of all ages and skill level
When he’s not running charters, you’ll almost always find him scouting the next honey hole on the water — or, on rare occasions, catching a reggae concert in the area.
Boat: 24′ T-Craft — designed and manufactured locally in Palmetto, FL by T-Craft Boatworks specifically to serve the fisheries and waters of Anna Maria Island. Stable, spacious, and fully equipped for comfortable, productive saltwater adventures.
“For me, the reward is seeing people smile and laughing; that’s what it’s all about. Leave your worries at the dock and let’s get after it!”
Book your trip with Captain Blake and experience the difference a captain who lives for your success makes on the water.
CAPTAIN JUSTIN
Captain Justin – USCG Licensed Captain, 25-Year Veteran Firefighter, 200+ Day/Year Guide & Tournament Angler | AMI Charters, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Captain Justin has been fishing the waters of Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay since he was a kid and now spends over 200 days a year on the water as a full-time professional fishing guide with AMI Charters. With more than 25 years of dedicated service as a local firefighter, his commitment to safety, discipline, and excellence translates directly into every charter he runs.
In addition to guiding, Captain Justin is a seasoned tournament angler who consistently ranks as a top performer in the area’s premier events, including the Suncoast Shootout, Crosthwait Memorial, Fire Charity Tournament, and the Triple Crown.Whether you’re looking for a laid-back family cruise or an action-packed day targeting snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, or the legendary tarpon, Captain Justin delivers safe, memorable, and high-success experiences on the water.
Specialties
• Premier inshore fishing charters Anna Maria Island & Tampa Bay
• Snook, redfish, spotted seatrout & trophy tarpon fishing
• Relaxed family trips or high-action guided fishing for all skill levels
• Safety-first charters led by a 25-year veteran firefighter Boat
Spacious 27′ T-Craft — designed and manufactured locally in Palmetto, FL by T-Craft Boatworks specifically to serve the fisheries and waters of Anna Maria Island. Stable, spacious, and fully equipped for comfortable, productive saltwater adventures.
Book your Anna Maria Island inshore fishing charter with Captain Justin and experience the waters with a passionate local captain who lives and breathes these waters while bringing firefighter-level professionalism and safety to every trip.
CAPTAIN TONY
Captain Tony – USCG Licensed Captain Since Age 18, Worldwide Fishing Guide & AMI Charters Expert | Anna Maria Island, Florida
Captain Tony is a USCG licensed captain since the age of 18 and brings decades of worldwide professional guiding experience to AMI Charters on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Born and raised in Michigan, he launched his first business at 18 guiding smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair, then honed his skills as an apprentice to top fly-fishing captains across Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and New Mexico. At 17 he became a professional guide in the tundra of Southern Alaska, and his expertise has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, ESPN The Magazine, and numerous national fishing publications.
In 2006 he founded San Diego Pacific Adventures, targeting bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore tuna along the Baja Peninsula. In 2013 he launched Miami Light Tackle Adventures, specializing in offshore pelagics including mahi mahi, tuna, kingfish, and sailfish. In 2016 Captain Tony moved to Anna Maria Island to fulfill his lifelong dream of guiding on Florida’s Gulf Coast — where he believes the fishing is the most active anywhere. Today he delivers exceptional charters with unmatched customer service, sharing a lifetime of global knowledge with every angler.
Whether you want inshore action, nearshore excitement, or a relaxed day on the water, Captain Tony’s experience across freshwater, saltwater, fly fishing, and offshore tactics makes every trip unforgettable.
Specialties
• Premier Anna Maria Island & Tampa Bay fishing charters
• Versatile inshore, nearshore, and light-tackle offshore fishing
• Snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon
• Family-friendly to advanced trips with world-class customer service
27′ Whitewater — a stable, versatile center console perfectly suited for the bay, grass flats, nearshore, and Gulf waters of Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay.
Book your Anna Maria Island fishing charter with Captain Tony and fish with a true worldwide expert who lives and breathes these Gulf Coast waters every day. Experience the best guided fishing Florida has to offer from a captain who has guided everywhere — and now calls Anna Maria Island home.
CAPTAIN CHANDLER
Captain Chandler Brown is a USCG-licensed captain with AMI Charters on Anna Maria Island, Florida.
Born and raised in Bradenton, Captain Chandler has spent his life mastering the waters of Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay. His deep-rooted connection to these productive estuaries began in childhood, where he developed an intimate understanding of the local marine ecosystem and fish behavior.
With years of hands-on experience navigating these waters, Captain Chandler has an exceptional ability to track seasonal fish movements and predict exactly where different species are biting. His expertise goes well beyond simply finding fish — it’s rooted in a thorough knowledge of their habits, patterns, and the environmental factors that influence them throughout the year.
Specialties:
-
Inshore and nearshore fishing in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and around Anna Maria Island
-
Seasonal strategies for snook, redfish, trout, tarpon, and more
-
Memorable, educational trips for anglers of all skill levels
Boat: 24′ T-Craft — designed and manufactured locally in Palmetto, FL by T-Craft Boatworks specifically to serve the fisheries and waters of Anna Maria Island and the greater Tampa Bay area. Stable, spacious, and fully equipped for comfortable, productive saltwater adventures.
Book your trip with Captain Chandler and experience the difference expert local knowledge makes on the water.