The Gulf of Mexico is an awesome body of water for fishing that surrounds most of Anna Maria Island. If offshore deep sea fishing is your goal; Barracuda, Grouper, King Mackerel, Snapper, Cobia, Key West Grunts, Porgies, Sharks, Trigger Fish, Spanish Mackerel and many other species are found off Anna Maria Island depending on the season. Fishing nearshore or back water fishing is also very popular. The surrounding water around Anna Maria Island is a small boat fishers' playground where you'll find snook as well as red fish. The charters are reasonably priced and the Island boat captains welcome the chance to share a story or two. And then for the less adventurous that haven't gotten their sea legs underneath them yet, there are three fishing piers and seven miles of beach to fish on. Depending on the season there is always something biting. And, don't worry about fishing permits and licenses: the charters will take care of all the paperwork. Fish ON!