What's Biting on Anna Maria Island: A Month-by-Month Fishing Calendar

Anna Maria Island sits at the mouth of Tampa Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast — and that location makes it one of the most productive year-round fisheries in the state. Something is always biting here. The question isn't whether the fish are cooperating; it's which fish, and where, in the month you're planning to visit.

This calendar is built from our own logbook — years of AMI Charters trips and monthly fishing reports across Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Pass, and the southern reaches of Tampa Bay. Use it to plan the right trip at the right time, then book your charter and let one of our USCG-licensed captains put you on them.

Quick answer — when's the best time to fish Anna Maria Island?

Want a bucket-list battle? May through July, when the giant tarpon migration arrives off our beaches.
Want the most non-stop action? September through November, when redfish school up and the fall bite peaks.
Fishing in winter? December through February is prime structure season — sheepshead, black drum, and pompano keep the rods bent.
Honestly, any month works. Below is the month-by-month breakdown.

January — Cool-Water Structure Bite

Winter settles in and the bite moves to structure. Sheepshead stack up around docks, bridges, rock piles, and the passes, and black drum and pompano join them — pompano are often thick in the passes this time of year. Flounder and speckled trout round out a reliable inshore day. Cooler fronts can push fish deeper, but the bite around Anna Maria Island, Longboat Pass, and southern Tampa Bay stays consistent.

Best trip: Inshore fishing charter (4 or 6 hour). Great family option — steady action close to home.
Captain's tip: Live shrimp and fiddler crabs around hard structure are tough to beat right now.

February — Peak Sheepshead Season

The sheepshead “invasion” peaks. February is one of the most dependable months of the year for keeper sheepshead around docks and the passes, with black drum and pompano still in the mix and flounder on the move. A perfect month for anglers who want a cooler full of fish.

Best trip: Inshore fishing charter.
Captain's tip: Bring a light touch — sheepshead are notorious bait-stealers. Our captains will dial you in.

March — Spring Transition Begins

The water starts to warm and the fishery wakes up. Sheepshead are still around early in the month, speckled trout turn on across the flats, and Spanish mackerel begin showing along the beaches and passes as the spring run gets going. Snook become more active in the warming water.

Best trip: Inshore fishing charter; nearshore as the mackerel arrive.
Captain's tip: A great shoulder-season month — fewer crowds, fast-improving bite.

April — Spring in Full Swing

The spring bite is firing. Snook, redfish, and speckled trout are all active inshore, while Spanish mackerel, kingfish, and early cobia show up nearshore. Long days and comfortable water temps make April one of the best all-around months on Anna Maria Island.

Best trip: Inshore for the slam; nearshore for mackerel and kings.
Captain's tip: A classic month to chase an inshore slam — snook, redfish, and trout in a single trip.

May — The Tarpon Arrive

The headline event begins. The tarpon (Megalops Atlanticus) complete their 1,000+ mile migration and stage off Anna Maria Island's beaches and in the passes. These 100+ pound fish are a bucket-list battle, and our May/June trips are built around them. Meanwhile snook stack up near the passes and beaches to spawn, and Spanish mackerel and kingfish keep the nearshore rods busy.

Best trip: Tarpon charter (our seasonal signature trip) — book early, dates go fast.
Captain's tip: Tarpon fishing is largely sight-fishing on a tide. Morning and evening tides are prime.

June — Peak Tarpon

Prime time. Tarpon fishing is at its best off the island, with consistent shots at the silver king on most trips. Snook are thick around the passes and beaches (catch-and-release while the harvest season is closed — we follow all FWC regulations), and mangrove snapper turn on nearshore.

Best trip: Tarpon charter — this is the month.
Captain's tip: These fish migrate over 1,000 miles to get here. Bring a camera; the jumps are unforgettable.

July — Summer Heat & Late Tarpon

Summer is on. Tarpon are still around through the early/mid part of the month, and the inshore waters stay productive in the warm water. Snook, mangrove snapper, nearshore grouper, and sharks all give summer anglers plenty to bend a rod on. Early starts beat the heat and the afternoon storms.

Best trip: Tarpon (early month); inshore or nearshore otherwise; sunset cruise to dodge the midday heat.
Captain's tip: Book the early tide — cooler, calmer, and the fish feed best.

August — Dog Days, Hot Bite

The heat holds and so does the fishing. Snook, mangrove snapper, and nearshore grouper stay active, sharks are a fun summer target, and redfish begin grouping up toward the end of the month ahead of the fall run.

Best trip: Inshore/nearshore; family-friendly half-days; sunset cruises and eco tours for the whole crew.
Captain's tip: A great month for kids and first-timers — lots of bites to keep everyone hooked.

September — Fall Transition & Redfish Schooling

Cooler mornings and shorter days flip the switch. The inshore bite picks back up, and the big story is redfish starting to school up ahead of their fall run. Snook and speckled trout are right there with them.

Best trip: Inshore fishing charter — sight-casting to redfish schools.
Captain's tip: Watch for nervous water and pushing wakes on the flats — that's a redfish school on the move.

October — Kingfish & Redfish Season (Best of the Year)

For many anglers, October is the single best month on Anna Maria Island. Large redfish schools roam the flats, kingfish are thick nearshore, and gag grouper are biting nearshore as well. Comfortable weather and aggressive fish make this a can't-miss month.

Best trip: Inshore for redfish; nearshore for kings and grouper.
Captain's tip: The month to book if you want non-stop action — and it fills up, so plan ahead.

November — Prime Fall Fishing

As water temps slide into the 70s, fish feed aggressively ahead of winter. Speckled trout get thick on the flats, redfish are still strong, gag grouper continue nearshore, and sheepshead begin returning to structure.

Best trip: Inshore fishing charter.
Captain's tip: One of the most comfortable months to be on the water — great light and great fishing.

December — Winter Fishing Kicks In

Winter patterns take over. Sheepshead return in numbers around docks, rock piles, and piers, joined by black drum, speckled trout, and flounder. The holidays are a beautiful, underrated time to fish Anna Maria Island.

Best trip: Inshore fishing charter; sunset cruises for holiday visitors.
Captain's tip: Fiddler crabs and live shrimp around structure are the winter go-to.

Ready to Fish?

No matter the month, our captains know where the fish are holding and how to get you on them. Book your Anna Maria Island fishing charter — half-day, full-day, tarpon, nearshore, or a family trip — and we'll handle the rest.

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Anna Maria Island fishing season chart — what's biting by month