Anna Maria Island Fishing Report: March - April 2025

Spring has fully arrived on Anna Maria Island, and the fishing scene is heating up as we transition from March into April 2025. With water temperatures climbing into the low to mid-70s, the fish are shaking off their winter sluggishness and becoming more active across the bays, flats, and nearshore waters. The weather has been a mix of warm, sunny days with occasional breezes, providing excellent conditions for anglers to hit the water. Migratory species are starting to show up, and the inshore bite is picking up momentum, making this an exciting time to cast a line around the island.

In March, the fishing kicked off with a strong showing from species like sheepshead and spotted seatrout, particularly around deeper grass flats and structures. As we move into April, the action is diversifying—snook are migrating out of the rivers and onto the flats, redfish are schooling up in shallow waters, and the first waves of tarpon are beginning to appear toward the end of the month. Nearshore, Spanish mackerel and kingfish are chasing bait schools along the beaches, while offshore reefs are producing mangrove snapper and the occasional grouper. The abundance of baitfish, like pilchards and threadfins, is fueling this frenzy, drawing predators to predictable feeding zones.

1. Best Bait: Live pilchards (white bait) are the top choice right now. Their versatility and natural appeal make them irresistible to snook, redfish, trout, and even the early tarpon showing up in April. Free-line them over grass flats or rig them under a float near mangroves for the best results. If pilchards are scarce, live shrimp are a reliable backup, especially for sheepshead and snapper around docks and piers.

2. Hot Spot: The grass flats south of Tampa Bay, stretching toward Sarasota Bay, are on fire this season. Focus on areas with good tidal flow and depths of 4-8 feet, where trout, snook, and redfish are actively feeding. For a specific gem, the flats near the mouth of the Manatee River are producing consistent catches, especially during incoming tides when baitfish get pushed into the shallows.

   
   

Whether you’re fishing from the beach, canals, or venturing out by boat, the March-April window offers something for every angler. The tarpon bite is just starting to ramp up by late April, so keep an eye on deeper channels and passes for those silver kings. With the right bait and a little patience, you’re in for a memorable spring fishing adventure on Anna Maria Island!