Saltwater Licenses
Anglers must buy a saltwater fishing license when fishing in the coastal
waters of the state or taking marine species. The license is required
for finfish, shellfish and shells.
Separate permit stamps costing $2 each are required for taking snook and
crawfish. A special $50 stamp is needed to take and possess a single
tarpon. No stamp is needed to catch and release snook or tarpon. Florida
residents pay $13.50 per year or $11.50 for 10 days. Nonresidents pay
$31.50 per year, $16.50 for seven days and $6.50 for three days.
The following persons are exempt:
• Children younger than 16 and Florida residents older than 65.
• Florida residents fishing in saltwater from land or a structure
fixed to land.
• Persons fishing with a licensed operator of a boat charging fees for
fishing.
• Florida residents who are members of the United States Armed Forces,
stationed out of state and home on leave.
• Handicapped residents and residents certified totally and
permanently disabled.
• Non-Florida residents fishing from a pier that has paid a license
fee
A good rule of thumb is that if you have to pay to fish,
you don't need a license, but ALWAYS make sure.
Current legal lengths for fishing
Amber Jack 28 inches
bill fish sailfish 57 inches
blue Marlin 86 inches
White Marlin 62 inches
Bluefish 12 inches
FISHING PIERS
Anna Maria Island Historic City
101 Bay Blvd.
The pier is at the end of Pine Avenue. Stretching 710' into Tampa Bay,
this is the perfect spot to drop in a line and catch a wide variety of
saltwater fish. The pier was first built in 1910. Located at the end of
the pier is the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, a perfect place to enjoy a gulf
island sunset.
Bradenton Beach Historical Bridge Street Pier
200 Bridge Street, Bradenton, FL
(941) 779-1706
Located on the bay side. This is a great spot to fish for grouper,
flounder, mullet, bluefish, ladyfish. A restaurant is located on the
first part of the pier. Pier is open 24-hours a day.
Anglers flock to this popular spot, which is at the end of historic —
and newly refurbished — Bridge Street.
BRADENTON MEMORIAL PIER
Downtown, north end of 12th St. West.
GREEN BRIDGE PIER BAIT & TACKLE
101 8th Avenue West, Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 722-5700
Rents rods and reels, sells bait for fishing. No alcohol allowed. A
family-oriented fishing spot. Fishing classes for kids; rents rod and
reel offers bait for $1.25 per kid. Good wholesome fun for the whole
family.
JIGG'S LANDING
6106 Braden River Road, Bradenton, FL
(941) 756-6745 Open daily from 6:30 am.
Enjoy fresh water fishing and boating on the pastoral Braden River.
Fishing, tackle and bait shop.
Longboat Pass Bridge
There always seems to be someone casting a line from the bridge that
connects Bradenton Beach to the north end of Longboat Key.
ROD AND REEL PIER
875 North shore Drive, Anna Maria, FL,
(941) 778-1885
Open from 7:00 am - 10:00 PM.
website:
Here’s a nice spot to cast a line — and maybe swap some fish tales.
Pier stretches 350' into Tampa Bay. Back in 1979 a whopping 17 ft, 1,386
pound Hammerhead Shark was caught off the Rod & Reel Pier, the world
record Hammerhead Shark. It is the largest shark ever caught off a
fishing pier. Good place to drop a line in for Tarpon, Snook, Red fish,
Trout or Flounder. Even if you don't get a 1,300 pound fish off the Pier
you can still catch a plentiful variety of Jacks, Mackerel,
Snappers, Drums, Snook, Cobia, Barracuda, King Fish, Ladyfish, Tarpon,
Sand Perch, Sheepshead, Trout, Red Fish, Grouper and a variety of
Sharks. Perfect for fishing, manatee watching or dining at the Rod and
Reel Restaurant.
Sunshine Skyway State Fishing Pier
One 1/2 mile long pier is open 24-hours a day.This is the world's longest fishing pier.
4901 US 19 South Palmetto, FL 34221 Phone: 941/729-0117Fax: 727/906-8085
Park and fish on the world's longest fishing pier. A unique fishing location, directly off I-275 between St. Petersburg and Bradenton on Tampa Bay. View of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. No fishing license required. Complete bait shop. Rod rental available.
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The pier provides a home to a zillion hungry
sheepshead, Key West
grunts, mangrove snapper, red and gag grouper, cobia, black seabass,
Spanish mackerel, spot-tailed bream, sandperch, snook, redfish, black
drum and other tasty species.
Fishing Boat
Cortez X of the Cortez Fleet
12507 Cortez Rd. 794-1223
Take a fishing trip out into the Gulf of Mexico aboard the 65-foot
Cortez X of the Cortez Fleet, with 4-, 6- and 9-hour deep-sea fishing
trips offered. No license is required, and rod, bait, tackle and
stringers are included in the price, with children, senior and
non-fishing rates available. For the 4-hour trip, the basic fishing rate
is $22.50, while seniors pay $20.50, and children are charged $12. The
4-hour, non-fishing rate is $12, while children pay $6.75. There is no
special senior rate for the non-fishing 4-hour trip. Reservations are
recommended.
A snack bar on board serves prepackaged sandwiches, chips, sodas, beer
and candy. People may bring their own coolers (and make sure you pack
along a supply of sunscreen). The boat can carry up to 60 people.
CHARTER FISHING BOAT
ANNIE'S OF CORTEZ
(941) 794-3580
4334 127th St. W., Cortez, FL
CANE PATCH
Capt. Calvin Brannen
15408 Waterline Road,
(941) 748-8274
Backwater fishing
CANNONS MARINA
6040 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL,
(941) 383-1311 Call for charter information.
CAPTAIN C's CHARTERS
Palmetto, FL,
(941) 722-7080
CAPTAIN CRUNCH
(941) 758-5953
Deep sea / offshore fishing
CAPTAIN "DOC" LEE
GUIDE SERVICE
(941) 758-7670
Fly fishing, freshwater fishing
CAPTAINS MARINA
5501 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
(941) 778-1977
Call for Full and Half-day rates.
Enjoy an Around-the-Sound Cruise and see the world from a different
angle! Take a sunset Cruise, famous for dolphin watch potential or
choose our Midnight Shark Expedition, monster fishing at night when the
sharks bite.
CAPT'N JL DAVIS
(941) 729-4005
Flats, backwater fishing
CAPTAIN MIKES CHARTERS
Capt. Heifend Anna Maria Island,
(941) 778-1404
Deep sea fishing
CAPTAIN THOM SMITH
(941) 776-1187
saltwater and backcountry fishing charters.
CORTEZ CAT CHARTERS
The Cortez Fishing Center
12507 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, FL 34215,
(941) 795-6969
We offer deep-sea, backwater, fly-fishing, diving, snorkeling trips for
individuals or groups. Or if you feel like relaxing, come aboard for
dolphin and manatee watching with your favorite picnic. Or for you
history buffs, come enjoy a scenic trip to Egmont Key. Call for rates
and reservations.
CORTEZ FLEET Party Boat
4330 127th St. W., Cortez, FL 34215,
(941) 794-1223
1/2 day & full day trips.
CORTEZ X
4330 127th St. W., Cortez, FL 34215,
(941) 794-1223
Party boat trips. 65 ft. vessel for 4-, 6- & 9-hour trips
Dee Jay II
Capt. Zak Zacharias
Annies Bait & Tackle
4334 127th St. W., Cortez, FL,
(941) 778-1725 or795-5026
Day, near shore, flats and backwater fishing.
Cast a line for snook, trout, redfish, tarpon and more with Capt. J.A.
“Zach” Zacharias aboard the 22-foot center-console boat Dee Jay II.
Zacharias takes parties of up to three people out for light tackle, bay
and beach fishing trips that go everywhere from Sarasota Bay to the
Sunshine Skyway. Half-day , three-quarter-day ,and full-day trips . Included in the price are bait,
tackle, ice and license, so just bring along something to eat and drink
DOLPHIN DREAM CHARTERS
306-A 58th Street, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
(941) 748-4498 Anna Maria Island
Capt. Tom Chaya takes parties of one to four people out on his 25-foot
boat for gulf and inshore sport fishing. Bait, tackle and license are
included in the price, with half-day and full-day
trips . Plan to bring your own food and drink, and also a
good supply of sunscreen, as you cast a line for everything from snook
to redfish to sharks.
FANDANGO
(941) 966-1737
FISH HOOK
Capt. Mitch Cockrell
(941) 745-1361
Tampa Bay flats fishing, 1/2 day, full day, night fishing.
FISHY BUSINESS II
Capt. Rick Gross
(941) 794-3308
Backwater and flats fishing.
FLATS LADY CHARTER
Capt. Tom Smith
(941) 795-7637 or 776-1187
Backwater, flats fishing.
Capt. Dave Pinkham
7809 San Juan Ave., Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 794-0652
Offshore, deep sea fishing.
Magic Charters
10125 Manatee Ave. W.
Apt E-5
Bradenton, FL 34209 795-8299
Manatee Airboat Tours, Inc.
12310 Manatee Ave W
Bradenton 34209 795-5353
The Mystic Dolphin Sight-Seeing
Water-Taxi
5325 Marina Dr
Holmes Beach 34217 778-2761
NEVA-MISS
12507 Cortez Rd., Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-5835
31-ft. fishing charter boat, up to 6 people.
Reef Reacher
PO Box 594
Anna Maria 34216 778-2727
Galati Yacht Basin
Bay Blvd. S., Anna Maria 778-2727
When Capt. Phil Shields takes people out on deep-sea fishing and
sightseeing trips, it’s with this in mind: “It’s like we’re
going out and just taking some friends along.” Shields, who lives in
Anna Maria, offers half-day ($300) and full-day ($525) trips on his
31-foot custom sports fishing boat, with six people maximum. Ice, bait,
tackle and fishing license are included in the price. And don’t worry
if you don’t have six people to share the expense: Shields said he
will “split” charters and try to find others to share a charter with
you.
REEL ADVENTURE
(941) 747-7328
REGATTA POINTE MARINA
985 Riverside Drive, Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 729-6021
Ripe
Tide Charter
(941)778-0662 http://www.riptidefishing.com/
Docked at Captain's Marina ,5501 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, Florida
34217
6hr - 9hr - 11hr Nights & Custom Trips
Fish For :Grouper - Snapper - Tuna - Spanish & King Mackerel Bonita
- Cobia - Amberjack - Barracuda - Shark - Mahi Mahi
USCG Licensed Master, USCG Approved Safety Equipment, License, Bait,
Tackle & Ice Provided, Courteous Crew - Full Electronics, Free
Filleting
SNOOK-FIN-ADDICT II
Capt. Rick Grasset
(941) 923-7799
Flats, backwater fishing
Spice Sailing Charters
902 Bay Blvd S
PO Box 4101
Anna Maria 34216 778-3240
SUNSAIL YACHT CHARTERS
1015 Riverside Drive
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone - 941-723-1610 Fax - 941-729-7520
e-mail: yachtit@aol.com
If you ever dreamed of a tropical sailing vacation, your dream can come
true at Sunsail Yacht Charters. Go bareboating for a weekend or a week,
lots of places to cruise on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
BOAT RENTALS, SALES & SERVICE
Anna Maria Boat Club
5322 Marina Dr.
Holmes Beach, FL 34217 /778-7990
Bradenton Beach Marina
402 Church Ave.
Bradenton Beach 34217 778-2288
Cannons Marina
6040 Gulf of Mexico Dr.
Longboat Key, FL 34228 / 383-1311
Captain's Marina
5501 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, 34217 778-1977
Cortez Parasail, Inc.
12507 Cortez Road West
PO Box 581
Cortez 34215
795-2700
Galati's Marine
900 South Bay Blvd
PO Box 862
Anna Maria 34216 778-0755
Mahinola La Catamaran
402 Church Street
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 / 713-8000
Stem To Stern Boat Care
5807 Imperiore Ave.
Holmes Beach FL 34217 / 778-0436
Water & Bridge
BRADEN RIVER
Off SR 64 bridge.
COQUINA BEACH
Bay side of Coquina.
EMERSON POINT
Redfish, sheepshead and spotted seatrout are available. During spring
and summer, a good concentration of sharks can be found.
FROG CREEK
US 41 north of Palmetto - fish from bridge.
INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY EDGES
Southward from markers 45 and 46 at Longboat Pass to marker 15.
Sheepshead, black drum and spotted seatrout in the winter, mangrove
snapper, redfish, flounder and some surprisingly big gag grouper in the
summer.
JIGG'S LANDING
6101 Braden River Rd., off SR 70 about 4 miles east of Oneco.
Boat ramp.
LAKE MANATEE RECREATION AREA
SR 64.
Fish off of the boat dock and below the dam
LAKE PARRISH
4000-acre cooling pond open to public fishing.
Largemouth bass, bluegill.
LONGBOAT PASS
Anna Maria Island south end. Coquina Beach.
MANATEE AVENUE BRIDGES AND
CAUSEWAYS
Three bridges: Palma Sola Bay, Perico Bayou and Anna Maria Sound and
Palma Sola Bay.
MANATEE RIVER SWASH CHANNELS
AND DOCKS
Snook, redfish spotted seatrout
MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK
SR 72 SE Freshwater fishing.
PORT MANATEE
Snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, silvertrout, jewfish, grouper,
sheepshead, mangrove snapper, cobia, flounder, sharks and Spanish
mackerel.
THE OLD GREEN BRIDGE
Riverside Park, 8th Ave. West, over the Manatee River, Palmetto.
TIDY ISLAND - SISTER KEYS FLATS
Snook, redfish and spotted sea trout. The area is roughly three square
miles and consists of shallow grass flats, some potholes and the
vestiges of the old Sarasota Bay Channel.
UPPER MANATEE RIVER
9 miles east of SR 64, Bream, Bass, Catfish in summer, sometimes Snook
in winter.
WHITNEY BEACH
Sheepshead, black drum and spotted Sea trout in cold weather, snook,
redfish, and mangrove snapper on warmer days.
![[IMAGE]](_borders/barc.gif){kind=small}
Anna Maria
Island
