Are you looking to do some Anna Maria Island fishing while visiting this lovely island? AMI is ripe with great fishing spots. One of the most beloved AMI fishing spots is the Rod and Reel Pier. For those coming to Anna Maria City for the very first time, this pier will surprise and dazzle you with its fantastic view of the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge spanning the horizon.
Only a brief stroll or free trolley ride away from most Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, you can sit inside the pub at Rod and Reed and get friendly with local fisherman, picking up on tips for where to catch which species of fish.
History
When you leave your Anna Maria Island beachfront rental and start to explore, you will quickly learn that AMI is steeped in history – and the Rod and Reel Pier is no exception. Nestled into the beautiful backdrop of the far North end of Anna Maria Island, the Rod and Reel Pier evokes a sense of “Old Florida” and has since 1947.
The building itself is a two-story, freshly renovated restaurant that offers casual dining for the entire family upstairs, where you can sit inside or outside beneath the covered deck. Downstairs, you can sit in the casually styled bar and gulp down some wine or beer.
The 678-foot-long pier was constructed in 1947 and was an immediate hit with local anglers who found this spot to be the perfect place to indulge in their favorite pastime. Unfortunately, 2017’s Hurricane Irma struck Florida and left a mass of devastation. The pier had to be closed to the public since it was severely damaged. The water and winds tore the restaurant’s roof entirely off, and the bait shop did not escape the hurricane’s wrath unscathed. Experts who inspected the Rod and Reel Pier discovered that pilings were missing and that some of its beams had shifted, making it unsafe to use. For over a year, workers repaired the pier, restaurant, and bait shop so that visitors and anglers could once again enjoy this charming little spot.
The Menu
The Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria Island is home to The Rod and Reel restaurant. This has been a favorite Anna Maria Island restaurant among locals and visitors alike since it is casual yet oozes quality. Open every day of the week from 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m.; you can choose to dine in or get takeout. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options are all on the menu.
Start with an appetizer like a shrimp skewer or chicken fingers, or grab a quick sandwich (locals love the one-half pounder Pier Burger). Main course options include a Grouper Dinner, Mexican Grouper, Shrimp Dinner, and Fish & Chips. Want something on the side? Grab an a la carte sandwich, some clam chowder, a baked potato, or a Caesar salad (which can come with Grouper added in). Kids can enjoy a hot dog, chicken wings, or fried shrimp. For dessert? A delectable slice of key lime pie. Pair it with one of the wines, beer, coffee, tea, or juice.
For breakfast, you can get eggs served with Texas Toast, rye, wheat, a biscuit, or an English muffin, plus a selection of grits, home fries, or fresh fruit. Visitors rave about the famous Seafood Omelet, which combines scallops, shrimp, crabmeat, and cheese. Snag a stack of pancakes or Island Style French Toast, or give the biscuits and gravy a try. The Egg & Cheese Sandwich is a crowd-pleaser and can have ham, bacon, or sausage added to it.
Fishing Off the Pier
Here’s the deal with fishing licenses: Any non-resident age 16 or older must have Florida licenses and permits to engage in freshwater and saltwater fishing. Your out-of-state license won’t be valid anywhere in Florida. Even if you do catch-and-release, you still need a license. You also need a permit to take native or nonnative marine organisms (like lobsters) out of their natural habitat.
Children under 16 don’t need a license, nor do you if you fish from a for-hire vessel with a valid charter license, fish from a vessel whose operator has a valid recreational saltwater vessel license, go fishing on a free saltwater fishing day, fish from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license (which you can get near the Rod and Reel), or have a valid FWC charter captain license.
What species might you catch? So glad you asked because there are many swimming in the waters off AMI! Reef fish in this area include Amberjack, Hogfish, Grouper, Snapper, and Gray Triggerfish. You’ll also find Pelagic fish like the Dolphinfish and Mackerel. Coastal fish species like the Snook, Red Drum, Flounder, Blue Runner, and Tarpon like to linger off the shores of Anna Maria as well. Of course, you’ll have to charter a boat to catch shark species like the Hammerhead, Blacknose, Tiger, and Spinner.
Some recreational fish species will have a year-round open season, such as the Bluefish and Mackerel. Others have closed or restricted seasons, like the Grouper and non-prohibited sharks. You will want to plan your fishing according to the season.
If you do not bring your rod and reel, no worries – the Pine Avenue Bait Shop has everything you need, from tackle to poles.
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Speaking of Pine Avenue, this whole strip is ripe for shopping. Souvenir shopping is one of the most fun things on Anna Maria Island whenever you get some spare time. Located on the northern end of the island, you can walk or bike down this stretch of road and find some genuinely eclectic shops. There are dozens of locally owned businesses offering a little something for everyone in the family. Check out Beach Bums Recreational Rentals & Gift Shop for all your beach-y needs, or hit up Libby’s Island Jewelry for unique wearables.
Visit Anna Maria Island!
If shopping, dining, and fishing sound up your alley, an Anna Maria Island vacation is the perfect destination for you! Find your perfect rental, book your stay, and prepare for an incredible vacation!
Looking for something quieter to do – a place that can help take the edge off and let you unwind? Hike on over to Bean Point Beach and relax in the warm white sands as you watch the sunset over the ocean. This gorgeous and natural beach has a free parking lot near the Sandbar Restaurant. It is quiet morning and night, with just some mild activity in the afternoon. Locals love it, but visitors might not know it is there – it’s just that well-kept of a secret!
Experienced and novice anglers can enjoy fishing off the Rod and Reel Pier. This historic spot is rich with fish species, and no AMI vacation is complete without making a stop at it. If the kids get bored or if you need to get out for a solo fishing trip, go to the pier and see what you can reel in. Either way, you can return to our Anna Maria Island rentals to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Contact us today to learn more!
