Comprehensive Guide to Year-Round and Seasonal Fish Species around AMI

Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Eric Bonneman

Here is a no-nonsense extensive guide to many of the fish species you can catch in and around Anna Maria Island, from what is available year-round, to what changes during the seasons.

Year Round Targets

Anna Maria Island, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, offers a diverse range of inshore fishing opportunities. The inshore waters around the island are brimming with various fish species that are available for fishing year-round. Below is a list of some common fish species that can be found inshore around Anna Maria Island along with an in-depth breakdown for each:

Snook

• Appearance: Snook have a distinctive body shape with a tapered head and snout, large fins, and a prominent black lateral line running the length of their silvery body.
• Habitat: They are typically found around mangrove shorelines, docks, and bridges. Juvenile snook often inhabit estuaries and freshwater.
• Behavior: Snook are ambush predators, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans. They are known for their strong fights and are a popular target for anglers.
• Fishing Tips: Live bait like shrimp or mullet can be effective, especially when fished around structures or during outgoing tides.

Redfish (Red Drum)

• Appearance: Redfish are easily recognized by their bronze/red coloration and a distinct black spot on the upper part of the tail base.
• Habitat: They are found in shallow waters, especially around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats.
• Behavior: They feed on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Redfish are known for their stamina and are a favorite among sport fishermen.
• Fishing Tips: Sight fishing in shallow waters can be very effective. Live baits, as well as spoons and soft plastics, work well.

Spotted Seatrout

• Appearance: These fish have elongated bodies with small scales, a large mouth, and prominent canine teeth. Their back is dark gray or green with a silvery-white underside and distinctive black spots along the back and fins.
• Habitat: Seatrout are primarily found in shallow bays and estuaries with seagrass beds or muddy bottoms.
• Behavior: They are opportunistic predators feeding on baitfish, shrimp, and other small creatures.
• Fishing Tips: Live shrimp or baitfish are effective, as well as various artificial lures like soft plastics.

Flounder

• Appearance: Flounder have a unique flat body with both eyes on one side. Their coloration often mimics the ocean floor, providing excellent camouflage.
• Habitat: They are commonly found on sandy or muddy bottoms near bridges, docks, and other structures.
• Behavior: Flounder are ambush predators, lying in wait for their prey to pass by before striking.
• Fishing Tips: Live bait such as minnows or mud minnows can be very effective. Jigging near the bottom around structures can yield good results.

Mangrove Snapper

• Appearance: These fish have a slender body, are gray or dark brown with red-orange spots in rows along the sides, and have a pointed snout.
• Habitat: As their name suggests, they are often found around mangroves, as well as docks, piers, and reefs.
• Behavior: They feed on a variety of organisms including shrimp, crabs, and smaller fish.
• Fishing Tips: Small live bait like shrimp or small fish works well. They can be wary, so a stealthy approach and light tackle are beneficial.

Spring Season (March to May) – Inshore Species:

Updates for Year-Round Species:

Snook

• Spring Update: Snook start their spawning run, moving towards the beaches and passes. They are very active and feed aggressively to prepare for spawning.

Redfish

• Spring Update: Redfish are found tailing in shallow flats more frequently, feeding on crustaceans and baitfish brought in by the warmer waters.

Spotted Seatrout

• Spring Update: Larger schools of Seatrout are present, and they are more aggressive as the spawning season approaches.

Flounder

• Spring Update: Flounder migration inshore begins, and they are more commonly found around sandy bottoms and structures.

Mangrove Snapper

• Spring Update: Mangrove Snapper become more active and start moving towards more open waters but are still accessible inshore near structures.

Introduced in Spring – Detailed Breakdown:

Cobia

• Appearance: Long, slender body with a dark brown back and a white belly, known for their prominent lateral line.
• Habitat: While more common offshore, Cobia can be found in inshore waters during their migration, especially near structures such as buoys, markers, and wrecks.
• Behavior: Curious and aggressive, Cobia feed on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They are known for their fighting strength.
• Fishing Tips: Sight fishing is popular. Use heavy tackle and live bait such as crabs, pinfish, or eels. Keep an eye on surface activity and near structure.

Spanish Mackerel

• Appearance: Slender body with a greenish back, silver sides, and distinct yellow spots.
• Habitat: During their migration, Spanish Mackerel come closer to inshore waters, often found near passes, grass flats, and along beaches.
• Behavior: Fast swimmers and aggressive feeders, they hunt in schools and chase baitfish.
• Fishing Tips: Use fast-moving lures or small, shiny spoons. Trolling or casting near schools of baitfish can be effective.

Pompano

• Appearance: Small, flat-bodied fish with silvery sides and a yellowish belly.
• Habitat: Found in inshore waters, particularly around sandy bottoms, inlets, and passes.
• Behavior: Pompano feed on bottom-dwelling organisms like sand fleas, crabs, and small fish.
• Fishing Tips: Use small jigs or live bait such as sand fleas. Fishing near the bottom close to sandy areas can yield good results.

Sheepshead

• Appearance: Silver-gray body with vertical black bars and a distinct protruding mouth with human-like teeth.
• Habitat: Common around structures like piers, docks, and oyster bars in inshore waters.
• Behavior: They feed primarily on crustaceans, using their strong teeth to crush shells.
• Fishing Tips: Use small live baits like fiddler crabs, shrimp, or barnacles. Fishing close to structures and making sure the bait is near the bottom is key.

Jack Crevalle

• Appearance: Powerful, torpedo-shaped body, bluish-green on the back transitioning to a silvery belly, with a prominent yellow dorsal fin.
• Habitat: Jacks are found in a variety of inshore waters including bays, lagoons, and occasionally up freshwater rivers.
• Behavior: Known for their strength and endurance, they are aggressive feeders, often chasing baitfish in shallow waters.
• Fishing Tips: Use live bait like mullet or artificial lures that mimic small fish. Sight fishing can be exciting, especially when they are feeding in a frenzy.

Tarpon

• Appearance: Large, silver fish with a thick body and a distinctive dorsal fin. Notable for their shiny, metallic scales and large mouth.
• Habitat: Tarpon migrate through inshore waters and are often found around passes, inlets, and sometimes in the backwaters of bays and estuaries.
• Behavior: Known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked, tarpon feed on fish and crustaceans.
• Fishing Tips: Use heavy tackle due to their size and strength. Live bait such as mullet or crabs works well, as do large artificial lures and flies. Early morning or late evening are typically the best times.

Black Drum

• Appearance: Large, chunky fish with a high back and a gray or blackish body. Juveniles have distinctive vertical black stripes.
• Habitat: Found in inshore waters around structures like docks, bridges, and oyster beds.
• Behavior: Bottom feeders, primarily eating mollusks, crabs, and shrimp.
• Fishing Tips: Use natural baits like shrimp, crabs, or cut bait. Fishing on the bottom near structures or in channels can be effective.

Tripletail

• Appearance: Laterally compressed body with a rounded shape, brownish coloration, and often seen floating on its side.
• Habitat: Often found inshore around buoys, markers, and debris, where it lies in wait for its prey.
• Behavior: Opportunistic feeders, tripletails disguise themselves as floating debris to ambush prey like small fish and crustaceans.
• Fishing Tips: Use live shrimp or small fish for bait. Sight fishing around structures or floating objects can be very effective.

Permit

• Appearance: Similar in shape to pompano but larger, with a deep, compressed body and a forked tail.
• Habitat: Inshore, often found on flats and around wrecks or reefs.
• Behavior: Feed on bottom-dwelling creatures like crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
• Fishing Tips: Sight fishing on shallow flats with live crabs or shrimp can be successful. Permit can be wary, so a stealthy approach is essential.

Summer Season (June to August) – Inshore Species Updates & Additions:

Updates for Year-Round and Previously Introduced Species:

Snook

• Summer Update: Continues active behavior around beaches and passes for spawning, with post-spawn movements back into estuaries and backwaters.

Redfish

• Summer Update: Remains visible on flats and around mangroves, with peak feeding activity in the cooler early morning and late afternoon.

Spotted Seatrout

• Summer Update: Larger trout seek deeper, cooler waters during the heat of the day, with dawn and dusk being optimal fishing times.

Flounder

• Summer Update: Prefers cooler, deeper inshore waters. Fishing near the bottom around structures is most effective.

Mangrove Snapper

• Summer Update: Larger and more aggressive around structures and mangroves, with increased feeding activity.

Tarpon

• Summer Update: Peak season with high activity, especially near passes and beaches.

Cobia

• Summer Update: Some remain in the area, found around inshore structures and near the surface.

Spanish Mackerel

• Summer Update: Continue to be present in schools closer to shore due to warmer water temperatures.

Pompano

• Summer Update: Found in slightly deeper and cooler inshore waters during the hottest parts of the day.

Sheepshead

• Summer Update: Slightly less abundant but still present around inshore structures.

Jack Crevalle

• Summer Update: Active in inshore waters, frequently seen chasing bait in frenzied schools.

Permit

• Summer Update: Continue to be found on inshore flats and around wrecks or reefs, feeding on bottom-dwelling creatures.

Additional Summer Species – Detailed Breakdown:

Bonefish

• Appearance: Slim, silvery body with a blue-gray back and a deeply forked tail.
• Habitat: Prefer shallow flats, particularly over sandy or muddy bottoms.
• Behavior: Elusive and fast, they feed on benthic organisms like crabs and shrimp.
• Fishing Tips: Sight fishing with small crabs, shrimp, or flies. Stealth and precision in casting are crucial.

Barracuda

• Appearance: Long, slender body with a pointed head, large eyes, and prominent, sharp teeth.
• Habitat: Common around reefs, wrecks, and seagrass beds in inshore waters.
• Behavior: Aggressive and fast, known for their explosive attacks on prey and lures.
• Fishing Tips: Use lures that mimic small fish or shiny spoons. Wire leaders are a must due to their sharp teeth.

Ladyfish

• Appearance: Slender and silvery, resembling a smaller version of a tarpon.
• Habitat: Found in bays, estuaries, and along beaches within inshore waters.
• Behavior: Known for their acrobatic jumps and fast runs when hooked.
• Fishing Tips: Respond well to small lures or live bait like minnows or shrimp. Fast retrieval can be effective due to their aggressive feeding.

Bluefish

• Appearance: Stout-bodied with a broad, forked tail, and a pointed snout. Coloration ranges from bluish-green on the back to silvery on the sides.
• Habitat: Coastal waters, often found near the surface, especially around schools of small fish.
• Behavior: Aggressive feeders, known for their sharp teeth and strong, fast runs.
• Fishing Tips: Use cut bait, spoons, or shiny lures. Wire leaders are recommended due to their sharp teeth.

Goliath Grouper

• Appearance: Massive fish with a broad head and a stout body, mottled with dark brown or greenish patterns.
• Habitat: Juveniles are often found inshore around mangroves, docks, and bridges. Adults may be found in deeper waters but juveniles stay inshore.
• Behavior: Known for their size and strength, Goliath Groupers are formidable predators, feeding on crustaceans and fish.
• Fishing Tips: Due to their protected status, targeting Goliath Grouper often requires catch and release. Use heavy tackle if you do encounter them, and be prepared for a strong fight.

Snapper Species (e.g., Mutton, Yellowtail)

• Appearance: Colorful fish, often with distinct tails and vibrant body patterns. Mutton Snapper has a dark band through the eye and a blue line below the eye.
• Habitat: Found inshore around structures like reefs, wrecks, and ledges.
• Behavior: These snappers are aggressive feeders, often feeding on smaller fish and invertebrates.
• Fishing Tips: Use light tackle with live or cut bait. Chumming can be effective to attract them. Focus on fishing around structures.

Hogfish

• Appearance: Unique, hog-like snout, and a laterally compressed body. Color can vary but often reddish-orange with a darker top.
• Habitat: Inshore waters, especially around reefs and rocky bottoms.
• Behavior: Primarily feed on crustaceans, using their elongated snouts to root around the seabed.
• Fishing Tips: Best caught by spearfishing, but can be caught with hook and line using live shrimp or crabs.

Greater Amberjack

• Appearance: Dark stripe (from nose to front of dorsal fin) that becomes prominent when the fish is feeding or excited.
• Habitat: Young amberjacks are often found inshore around wrecks and reefs.
• Behavior: Known for their power and stamina, they feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans.
• Fishing Tips: Use live bait such as pinfish or mullet, and fish around inshore structures. Be prepared for a tough fight.

Fall Season (September to November) – Inshore Species Updates:

Snook

• Fall Update: Begin migrating back towards estuaries and river mouths, feeding actively in preparation for winter.

Redfish

• Fall Update: Often found in large schools in shallow flats, with larger “bull” redfish caught inshore.

Spotted Seatrout

• Fall Update: More active in shallower waters as the water cools, feeding aggressively.

Flounder

• Fall Update: Actively feeding inshore before migrating offshore later in the fall.

Mangrove Snapper

• Fall Update: Remain active but start moving towards deeper structures as the water temperature drops.

Tarpon

• Fall Update: Numbers start to decrease as many fish begin moving south or offshore, with sightings and catches less frequent.

Cobia

• Fall Update: Some may linger in inshore waters around structures, though many start moving offshore as the water cools.

Spanish Mackerel

• Fall Update: Continue to be present but start migrating southward as the water temperature drops.

Pompano

• Fall Update: May start moving to slightly deeper, warmer waters but still present inshore.

Sheepshead

• Fall Update: Start to become more abundant in inshore waters, preparing for their spawning season in late winter and early spring.

Jack Crevalle

• Fall Update: Remain active and aggressive in inshore waters, chasing baitfish in schools.

Gag Grouper

• Fall Update: Juvenile Gag Grouper may start moving towards offshore waters but some can still be found around inshore structures and ledges.

Bonefish

• Fall Update: May become less abundant in shallow flats as water temperatures begin to cool.

Barracuda

• Fall Update: Continue to provide thrilling catches in inshore waters, though some may start moving to offshore reefs.

Ladyfish

• Fall Update: Remain active, often found in large schools, providing exciting light-tackle fishing.

Bluefish

• Fall Update: May start moving south as the water cools but are still present and feeding aggressively in inshore waters.

Mullet

• Fall Update: Start their spawning migrations, with large schools visible in inshore waters.

New Inshore Game Fish Detailed Breakdown:

Whiting (Gulf Kingfish)

• Appearance: Slender body with silver-gray coloration and a small, downturned mouth.
• Habitat: Common in inshore waters, often found near sandy bottoms and in surf zones.
• Behavior: Bottom feeders that primarily feed on small invertebrates and fish.
• Fishing Tips: Use small hooks with pieces of shrimp, squid, or cut bait. Fishing near the bottom, especially in surf zones or just beyond breakers, can be very productive.

Atlantic Croaker

• Appearance: Small to medium-sized fish with a silvery-gray or bronze body and a faint pinkish hue.
• Habitat: Inshore waters, particularly over muddy or sandy bottoms, estuaries, and bays.
• Behavior: Known for the “croaking” or drumming sound they produce. They feed on small fish, crustaceans, and worms.
• Fishing Tips: Effective baits include shrimp, crabs, and cut bait. Bottom fishing near structures or in channels often yields good results.

Red Drum (Bull Reds)

• Appearance: Coppery or reddish body color with one or more distinctive black spots at the base of the tail.
• Habitat: Juveniles are found inshore around grassy flats and estuaries. Larger “Bull Reds” often come closer to shore during their spawning season in the fall.
• Behavior: Strong and determined fighters, they feed on crustaceans, fish, and mollusks.
• Fishing Tips: Use live bait such as crabs, shrimp, or mullet. Fishing near structures, in channels, or on grassy flats can be especially productive during their spawning period.

Winter Season (December to February) – Inshore Species Updates:

Sheepshead

• Winter Update: This is the prime season for Sheepshead fishing as they spawn during this time. They are especially active around structures such as piers, docks, and oyster bars.

Spotted Seatrout

• Winter Update: Seatrout seek deeper, warmer waters during cold spells but can be found in shallower waters on sunny days. Larger “gator trout” are often targeted during this season.

Redfish

• Winter Update: Redfish can be found in deeper channels during cold periods but will move onto shallow flats to feed when the sun warms the water.

Pompano

• Winter Update: Pompano can be found in deeper holes and channels during colder temperatures but will venture into flats on warmer, sunny days.

Black Drum

• Winter Update: Similar to Redfish, Black Drum can be found in deeper waters during colder periods but are known to feed actively in shallower waters when it’s warmer.

Mullet

• Winter Update: Large schools of mullet are common inshore during the winter. They are a key food source for many predators and can often be seen jumping.

Winter Season (December to February) – Newly Introduced Inshore Game Fish:

Weakfish (Grey Trout)

• Appearance: Similar to Spotted Seatrout but with a more muted coloration, typically gray or greenish, with a white underbelly and faint spots.
• Habitat: Inshore waters, including bays, estuaries, and the surf zone.
• Behavior: Feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Known for its delicate mouth, which can easily tear if the fish is handled too aggressively.
• Fishing Tips: Light tackle is recommended due to their soft mouths. Use live or artificial baits such as shrimp or soft plastics.

Southern Flounder

• Appearance: Flat, oval-shaped body with both eyes on one side. They have a brownish color with various spots and blotches, helping them blend with the sea floor.
• Habitat: Found inshore around sandy or muddy bottoms, especially in areas with structures like piers or near estuary mouths.
• Behavior: Ambush predators, they lie in wait for prey, feeding mainly on small fish and crustaceans.
• Fishing Tips: Use live bait such as minnows or finger mullet, fished along the bottom. Flounder gigging is also popular in some areas.

Tautog (Blackfish)

• Appearance: Stout body with a blunt nose and thick lips. Coloration is generally dark, ranging from brown to gray, with mottling and irregular markings.
• Habitat: Inshore structures such as rock piles, wrecks, and jetties.
• Behavior: Feeds primarily on shellfish, crustaceans, and mollusks, using their strong teeth to crush shells.
• Fishing Tips: Use small crabs, shrimp, or cut bait. Fishing tight to structure is often necessary to entice a bite.

Striped Bass (Rockfish)

• Appearance: Distinctive with its high, arching back, silvery body, and horizontal black stripes running from head to tail.
• Habitat: Can be found in inshore waters during winter, especially near estuaries, river mouths, and coastal areas.
• Behavior: Predatory fish feeding on smaller fish such as menhaden, anchovies, and shad.
• Fishing Tips: Use lures that mimic their prey, like swimbaits or topwater plugs. Live lining smaller fish can also be effective.

If you’re ready to hit the water and do not know where to start, get in touch with Captain Nate and see how he can help you get on the water.