Anna Maria Island Fishing Report — January & February 2025: Wintertime Bites Stay Hot

With cooler temperatures, sheepshead and black drum fishing remained excellent, and pompano were still thick in the passes.

Offshore, amberjack season opened, and deepwater wrecks were loaded with big fish, making for drag-screaming action. Red grouper were also biting well, keeping offshore trips productive.

🔹 Best Bait: Shrimp for inshore species; live pinfish for offshore amberjack

🔹 Hot Spots: Nearshore reefs for sheepshead; deep wrecks for amberjack