AMI Charters Fishing Report - March & April 2026

As spring takes hold, the waters around Anna Maria Island and its adjacent passes are delivering outstanding fishing opportunities both inshore and nearshore. The 2026 sheepshead action has carried strong into early March with excellent structure bites, while warming temperatures have ignited snook, redfish, and trout bites that just keep getting better. No matter the day—the bite around Anna Maria Island, Longboat Pass, and Tampa Bay’s southern reaches is hot and full of variety!

The top rated Anna Maria Island fishing charters are ready to put you on the fish!

Inshore Fishing: The flats, mangrove shorelines, and channels around Anna Maria Island provide prime spring action as waters warm. In March, sheepshead remained stacked on docks and pilings taking fiddler crabs or shrimp, while snook moved aggressively onto mangrove edges and grass flats hitting live pinfish, shrimp, or soft plastics. Redfish schooled up along oyster bars and potholes with cut bait or spoons, and speckled seatrout were reliable on grass flats in 3-6 feet with live shrimp or suspending plugs. By April, snook dominated the inshore scene on shorelines, docks, and passes; redfish provided consistent school action on flats and mangroves; trout fishing was excellent in potholes and deeper edges. Flounder added solid bites in channels, with early tarpon rolling in passes on warmer days using live bait.

Nearshore Fishing: In 10-40 feet off the coast, reefs, wrecks, and ledges offer productive bottom and pelagic fishing. March featured strong sheepshead and snapper on structure with crabs or shrimp, alongside arriving king mackerel and Spanish mackerel on trolls and live bait near bait schools. In April, kingfish runs intensified, cobia became more frequent, and snapper, grouper, and other reef species continued to bite well—target artificial reefs and nearshore structure on calmer days, with jacks and Spanish mackerel providing fast action.

Conditions and Tips: Water temperatures climbed from the mid-60s/low 70s in March to the mid-to-upper 70s by April, fueling aggressive feeding. Fewer cold fronts mean more stable weather, but spring winds can still pick up—check forecasts and fish protected areas or nearshore on breezy days. Moving water is key around Longboat Pass and bay mouths for inshore bites, and outgoing tides often spark nearshore action. Use polarized sunglasses to spot fish and structure, and be prepared for longer days and warmer conditions.The spring fishery around Anna Maria Island is peaking through March and April 2026.

For the best AMI charter fishing experience, book with one of our experienced captains to get in on the action!