Tony Zain
Captain

Tony Zain

Anna Maria, United States
Angler's choice
250+ reviews
Captain Tony Zain first started fishing with his grandpa in Northern Michigan at the age of 5. He started his first guide business at the age of 18 fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye on Lake St. Clair in Michigan. After Michigan Captain Tony moved to San Diego, CA to begin learning how to fish the Pacific Ocean for Tuna. He began another successful guide business fishing for all 5 species of Pacific Tuna from San Diego down to Mexico. In 2013, Captain Tony moved to Anna Maria Island in pursuit of all of the wonderful fish that Tampa Bay and the Gulf had to offer. Captain Tony has become one of the most sought after fishing guides in the Anna Maria area specializing in light tackle reef and inshore fishing in his 28 ft custom built center console. He loves to take kids and families fishing and show them the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.

Charter

Skyway Sportfishing
Anna Maria
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $600

Rating

5.0
252 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

99%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish

All reviews (252)

Showing 1 – 5 of 252 reviews
  • Lacy Dan Way
    Lacy Dan Way
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Our first guided fishing trip as a family and it was awesome!

    1/2 Day AM Fishing Trip • 4 adults

    We had a great time fishing with Captain Tony! This was our family’s first guided fishing trip, and he made it a blast from start to finish. My wife and two teenage boys had an awesome time, and we caught all kinds of fish including several trout, tons of snook, a small grouper, and a couple of catfish. Captain Tony was super laid-back, easy to talk to, and made the whole trip enjoyable. He was great at helping us find fish and keeping things fun the entire time. You can tell he enjoys what he does and wants everyone on his boat to have a good experience. More than anything, he helped make some great family memories for us. If we decide to book another guided fishing trip in the future, we’ll definitely be calling Captain Tony again. Highly recommend!

    Reported catch:
    Snook
    Gag Grouper
  • Jonathan Byers
    Jonathan Byers
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Phenomenal Morning Fishing Trip

    1/2 Day AM Fishing Trip • 4 adults

    10/10 experience. Captain Tony has perfected his craft. We went out for the 4 hour morning fish. We are not experienced fishermen, but that did not matter. Captain Tony takes care of everything, makes you feel comfortable/welcome, and he knows where the fish are! He is fast paced. If you aren’t catching fish he is going to move you to where they are. The boat is great and clean. Tony is a great dude! He took care of everything from bating the lines, rebooking, and helping net the fish. He even cleaned them for us after. Highly recommend. Our only regret was we didn’t do a full day.

  • Zachary Greif
    Zachary Greif
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome trip

    1/2 Day AM Fishing Trip • 3 adults

    This trip was pretty last minute for us, we booked the day before. Captain Tony made it a great experience and put us on a ton of fish! Absolutely no regrets from us, caught a snapper and grouper on almost every cast at certain spots. Would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to catch a lot of fish and have a fun time!

    Reported catch:
    Gag Grouper
    Red Grouper
    Grunt
    Mangrove Snapper
  • Brandon Moser
    Brandon Moser
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    First Charter Trip for our boys, Tony was great

    1/2 Day AM Fishing Trip • 4 adults • 1 child

    "This was my best fishing trip i caught my biggest fish", Hudson. We had a great trip started by fishing for trout, then moved to try for some grouper, they clipped our lines immediately, so we moved on to fishing for snook. We had a great catching a ton of fish and a bird. Tony was very attentive, and educational for our group.

  • Scott Wise
    Scott Wise
    us
    Ohio, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Had a great time !!

    1/2 Day AM Fishing Trip • 2 adults

    Had a great time , me and the wifi caught a ton of fish . He puts you on the fish and its game on . I bass fish alot but a whole different experience. The captain is very personable and freindly . i would recommend everyone and anyone to book with him . We even caught a good size bullsharlk !! Thanks

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Gag Grouper
    Red Grouper

Real catches shared by our community

  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Shark surfacing beside a boat during an active offshore fishing encounter.
    Fish 1
    Bull Shark
    Scott W.
    Scott W.
    Had a great time , me and the wifi caught a ton of fish . He puts you on the fish and its game on . I bass fish alot but a whole different experience. The captain is very personable and freindly . i would recommend everyone and anyone to book with him . We even caught a good size bullsharlk !! Thanks
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    A father and son proudly displaying a caught fish while enjoying a day of fishing on the water.
    Fish 1
    Flathead
    Jason T.
    Jason T.
    Tony kept us on fish all morning. He met us at the dock with a livewell full of fresh bait ready to go. We caught lady fish, speckled trout, snook, and mangrove snapper. We had a great day on the water. Will 100% book with Tony again when we're back!
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Angler holding a large Grouper while fishing offshore, showcasing a successful catch in clear blue waters.
    Fish 1
    Gag Grouper
    Zachary G.
    Zachary G.
    This trip was pretty last minute for us, we booked the day before. Captain Tony made it a great experience and put us on a ton of fish! Absolutely no regrets from us, caught a snapper and grouper on almost every cast at certain spots. Would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to catch a lot of fish and have a fun time!
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Adult angler holding a red snapper aboard a center-console fishing boat in open ocean.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Blacktip Shark
    Christopher C.
    Christopher C.
    We had a great time on our fishing charter this morning on the Gulf! The captain was fantastic and the fishing was excellent! The trip was very enjoyable from start to finish. We would definitely recommend this charter and look forward to coming back!!
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Young angler proudly displaying a spotted fish while fishing on a boat in clear blue waters.
    Fish 1
    Broomtail Grouper
    Jared T.
    Jared T.
    We had a blast! The boys caught over 60 fish! Tony was patient and very helpful.. I would definitely recommend booking with him..
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    A young angler proudly displaying a Snook while fishing from a boat in a coastal environment.
    Brandon M.
    Brandon M.
    "This was my best fishing trip i caught my biggest fish", Hudson. We had a great trip started by fishing for trout, then moved to try for some grouper, they clipped our lines immediately, so we moved on to fishing for snook. We had a great catching a ton of fish and a bird. Tony was very attentive, and educational for our group.
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Adult angler holding a long snook on a boat in calm coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Red Grouper
    Lacy Dan W.
    Lacy Dan W.
    We had a great time fishing with Captain Tony! This was our family’s first guided fishing trip, and he made it a blast from start to finish. My wife and two teenage boys had an awesome time, and we caught all kinds of fish including several trout, tons of snook, a small grouper, and a couple of catfish. Captain Tony was super laid-back, easy to talk to, and made the whole trip enjoyable. He was great at helping us find fish and keeping things fun the entire time. You can tell he enjoys what he does and wants everyone on his boat to have a good experience. More than anything, he helped make some great family memories for us. If we decide to book another guided fishing trip in the future, we’ll definitely be calling Captain Tony again. Highly recommend!
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Young angler proudly holding a large fish while fishing offshore, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Jamie B.
    Jamie B.
    We had a blast with Captain Tony, I would 100 percent recommend him. When we come back down, Captain Tony will get a call. Thanks again, Jamie
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    Adult angler reels in a large shark alongside a center-console fishing boat in open ocean waters.
    Fish 1
    Sandbar Shark
    John M.
    John M.
    Fished with captain Tony today. First class operation. Cleanest boat I've ever been in, including my own. Will do again.
  • Skyway Sportfishing
    Skyway SportfishingAnna Maria, FL
    A young angler proudly displaying a striped fish while fishing on a boat, enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Sheepshead
    Thomas F.
    Thomas F.
    Captin Tony was the best captin I’ve been with so far. My ten year old daughter brought up a total of 26 fish!!! Tony was very social and relatable, and he is a very experienced fisher. You should definitely go on a fishing trip with Tony!! W TONYYYYYY (written by my 10 year old daughter, trip was really awesome, definitely recommend Captan Tony! best charter ive ever been on too!)

What's biting with Skyway Sportfishing in Anna Maria

Inshore fisheries are on fire with Bull Redfish, Black Drum, and Trout putting up an incredible fight around flats and bridges. You can also get good Bass around the Manatee River.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Two anglers proudly displaying their catches, a Mackerel and a Bonito, while fishing on a boat in open waters.

Post hurricane fishing is heating up!

Nov 17, 2024 • Anna Maria
Fishing has been heating up the last week or so. Thanksgiving Week looks like it is going to be amazing weather with light winds and highs in the low 80's. We have been catching lots of good eating bottom fish 5-8 miles offshore. Inshore the trout bite is heating up in Sarasota Bay, and on the warm days we are catching plenty of snook. Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, and Litte Tunny Tuna are starting to show up off the beach. We are still waiting for the Kingfish to come. These next couple of weeks may be our last chance at Pelagic fish as once our first major cold front comes through these fish will be gone and we will transition to bottom fishing. Book a trip now, lots of dates available Thanksgiving Week!
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An angler proudly displaying a large Snook while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Fantastic October Fishing!

Oct 12, 2022 • Anna Maria
Fishing is as good as it gets right now off of Anna Maria Island. Thankfully the Island sustained little damage after the hurricane and the fishing is fantastic! Cooler temps are bringing lots of Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, Sharks and Snapper onto the nearshore wrecks and beaches. Inshore the Snook bite is on fire with a few Redfish mixed in. From now until Thanksgiving the fishing should be great with Litte Tunny Tuna and King Mackerel starting to show in a couple weeks.
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Angler proudly displaying a vibrant Mutton Snapper while fishing in open waters.

Great Wintertime Fishing!

Jan 15, 2021 • Anna Maria
Fishing is great right now when the winds cooperate. But make sure to dress warm. We have had a very cold Winter this year. Bottom fishing has been great around 8 miles offshore for a variety of good eating fish. And in the bay we have been catching plenty of bonnet head sharks!
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Angler proudly displaying a Silver Pompano while fishing in clear waters, showcasing a beautiful coastal backdrop.

Winter Fishing Is Here!

Dec 3, 2020 • Anna Maria
Winter fishing is here. The cold weather has arrived a little early this year, and this means we will be concentrating on bottom fishing unti March when the water gets back into the 70's. This is a great time of year to catch tasty fish in large numbers as long as the winds stay down. Anytime we can make it out to the natural ledges 6-8 miles offshore we will have a chance to catch Porgies, Grunts, Snappers, Sheepshead, Hogfish, and Black Drum on our half day trips.
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Angler holding a shark while on a boat, showcasing a successful catch during a fishing trip.

Great Fall Fishing

Nov 19, 2020 • Anna Maria
Fishing is great right now when the weather cooperates. We have had lots of wind the past couple of weeks, but when we get out in between the fronts the fishing is great. Lots of sharks, spanish mackerel, and a huge variety of bottom fish. We have been catching Key West grunts, lane snappers, porgies, and a few keeper grouper around 7 miles offshore. Sharks and mackerel have been biting in Tampa Bay and on the Beach. Once we get a few more cold fronts the fishing will turn to almost exclusive bottom fishing over the next few months. Winter can be a great time of year to load up the cooler with tasty reef fish!
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Angler proudly displaying a large Grouper while fishing in clear blue waters, showcasing a vibrant fishing environment.

Great Fall Fishing!

Sep 29, 2020 • Anna Maria
Bottom fishing was great with some rare near shore red grouper and lots of snapper. Our first cold front of the year is here today! The fishing for Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish and Sharks have really turned on. Most of these fish are within 3 miles of the beach. If you love lots of action close to shore this is the time of year to book a trip! #skywaysportfishing
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