Anna Maria Island may be home to some exceptional family-friendly attractions and some fine eating, but for a certain kind of person that can’t stay off of the water, it’s all about the fishing.
Anna Maria Island is nothing short of remarkable for its diverse fishing opportunities (even from a kayak) and the range of game fish species that hide underneath the surface.
Below is a guide to the perfect Anna Maria Island fishing experience near our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals.
Accessing the Water: The Kingfish Boat Ramp
For enthusiasts who want to fish off a boat, there are options. The most accessible method for entering the waters around the center of the island, by Manatee Public Beach, is by the public boat ramp. It is located at Kingfish Ramp 752 Manatee Ave W, Holmes Beach.
It can be accessed by exiting off of Manatee Ave at the Manatee Ave Bridge, on the Anna Maria Island side of the bridge. Parking and usage of the boat ramp is free. It gives you fantastic entrance to the nearby waters on the opposite side of the gulf.
The Island’s East Side and Wetland Fishing
Some of the best fishing can be found right around the Kingfish boat ramp. The ramp is also only a few miles from two excellent locations for exploring and wildlife viewing when you have some downtime. These are Grassy Point directly south of the ramp and Neal Preserve (on the east side of the bridge).
Grassy Point is a preserve, which has a nice walking trail by boardwalk for those on land. Neal Preserve is 120 acres of wetlands, with an impressive track record for some incredible bird viewing. Dolphins also frequent these coastal shores.
Fishing enthusiasts can circle the fringes of these two landmark preserves for some shallow fishing. Redfish, Mackerel, Black Drum, and Snook are readily found in the area.
Be careful to abide by minimum wake zone/slow speed zone regulations in this area. You can learn more about that and boating in the region by downloading the Manatee County Boater’s Guide.
The Kingfish boat ramp also offers fish cleaning tables, picnic tables, and grills if you want to cook your catch right there.
Pier Fishing by Holmes Beach
Fishing by boat is not always the preferred method. Fortunately, you have three piers in the area to divide your time. Bradenton Beach’s Historic Bridge Street Pier (200 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach) is the most iconic of the three.
On the north side of the island, you can find two piers, both within the City of Anna Maria. The first is the Rod and Reel Pier (875 N Shore Dr, Anna Maria), and it is home to the acclaimed local restaurant, the Rod and Reel.
Plan Your Visit
Contact us at (941)-462-4016 to find one of our Anna Maria Island rentals that fits your fishing needs. You’ll get the chance to embrace the Gulf of Mexico as an enthusiastic angler and stay on the water as much as possible while on a relaxing vacation!
The second pier is the Anna Maria Island’s City Pier (100 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria). It is within a short walk of the above pier. Unfortunately, it is currently closed to Hurricane Irma damages, but fishermen can still be found outside on the nearby beaches.
These piers are just a few miles from the Holmes Beach area and can be easily reached by the island’s free trolley, which has multiple stops in the area, including Manatee Public Beach.
Book Your Anna Maria Island Rental
Our Holmes Beach vacation rentals and homes are the best you can find if you are serious about fishing here. They offer dizzying views of the gulf, close proximity to local attractions, and easy entrance to and from the water.
