Gone fishin'

Anna Maria Island is a mecca for sun lovers, lovers, and happy families. And it's also a real draw for those who like spending time dangling a shrimp in the hope of hooking into the big one.
Well, what could be more relaxing than spending a day attempting to catch dinner? With the sun shining, a cold drink in your hand, and some good company, you probably won’t care whether the big one gets away, so long as you’re taking it easy.
A lot of folks head for the three bay-side piers for the simple fact that you don’t need a licence and there is a ready supply of bait on hand (although it tends to be on the pricey side). Alternatively you could grab some shrimp from any of the bait shops on the island and head over to the pier on Manatee County public beach, where people fish out of holiday season with some success.
You can also fish from the beaches, but remember to check for regulations as they tend to change quite often. For the most up-to-date advice go to www.MyFlorida.com/fwc or call 1(888) Fish-Florida.
One of the best ways to be sure of taking home some fish is to employ the services of one of the many charter captains setting sail from or nearby Anna Maria Island. Taking a charter trip means you don’t have to worry about getting your bait, tackle, license or a lack of local knowledge – that’s where these guys come in. From heading out into the bright blue yonder in search of the gulf’s deep water species, to stalking the flats and backwaters in search of some hard-fighting prey, Anna Maria Island has a fishing experience for everyone – all you have to do is haul ’em in.