Skinny Water Charters
3
21,00 ft
Clearwater, Florida (USA)
From
$ 460
Deposit non-refundable
Fishing in Clearwater
Whether you're looking for a relaxing, scenic fishing trip or you're craving to reel in some of Florida's finest fish species, Clearwater is the place...
Read more..Whether you're looking for a relaxing, scenic fishing trip or you're craving to reel in some of Florida's finest fish species, Clearwater is the place to be. Here, you’ll catch anything from red snapper and goliath grouper in the Gulf to tarpon, redfish, snook and speckled trout in the bay.
Of course, a reliable fishing charter will help make any trip a success. Your best bet is going with a fishing charter in Clearwater. They know their waters and have the best chance of putting you on good fishing spots.
SEE AVAILABILITY FROM FISHING CHARTER
Most popular fishing boats charters in Clearwater
2 boats for charter near by Clearwater
Tips & Tricks, bait and more
Knowing your prey is as important as knowing the water. Look for fish that are feeding aggressively to maximize your chances of catching one (or many)!
Live bait is a great way to catch various species, but some fish prefer lures or cut bait/busted pieces of shrimp and crabs.
Popular fish species in Clearwater include but are not limited to redfish, snook, sea trout, cobia, mangrove snapper, black drum, and tarpon.
Redfish & Snook
Redfish are normally found in the flats of bays and creeks. The best way to catch them is by using live bait, like mullet or shrimp. They tend to be a little less hungry during the summer months, but if you're out early or late, you can still score some respectable catches.
Mangrove Snapper & Cobia
Cobia are generally present all year round and can be found anywhere from the channels to the deeper holes of the Gulf. The best way to catch them is using artificial lures, shrimp, and crab baits. They are a predatory fish and feed during the day, so it's best to go out early morning or late at night to get the most out of your time on the water.
Tarpon and Sea Trout
Tarpon are can be hooked in the bay, but reeling one in is another story. Even experienced anglers will struggle to land a Silver King. They prefer to feed on mullet and small baitfish, so lures that imitate those will do the trick just fine. Live baits are also great to hook them. Catching a tarpon fly fishing might be the most beautiful experience.
Speckled trout love hanging out around structures such as rocks and bridges. Fishing charters in Clearwater usually use shrimp or crab to catch speckled trout. They can also be targeted with a popping cork, mirror lures or jigs.
Top sport fishing species in Clearwater
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The king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) or kingfish is a common fish species of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. King Mackerel can grow to up to 40kg (90lb) and have razor sharp teeth.
MORE INFO >King mackerel
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The redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as red drum is one of the most sought after light tackle game fish. The fish is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from northern Mexico to the Southeast of the US. Red drum are a dark red color on the back and have a characteristic black eyespot near the tail. They feed on crabs, shrimp and mullet.
MORE INFO >Redfish
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The sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) is a round gray silvery fish with dark vertical bars on the side. They are found in coastal waters along the western Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to Brazil. Southwest Florida is one of the best places to catch this species. Sheepshead can grow to 76 cm (30 in).
MORE INFO >Sheepshead
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The snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a great sportfish widespread throughout in western atlantic coastal waters. They are found in creeks, mangroves and shallow waters from North Carolina to Brazil. Snook can grow over 50 inch (1,4m) and weigh over 20kg (50lb)!
MORE INFO >Snook
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Speckled trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), also known as spotted seatrout. It is a common catch in the coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Speckled trout can grow up to 20-36 inches in length and 3-18 pounds in weight.
MORE INFO >Speckled Trout
FISHING SEASON IN Clearwater
Spring
Spring is the best time for offshore fishing because of the amount of baitfish. The backwaters are also prime locations for Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, Redfish, Snook and Trout. Kingfish will hit the lures when trolling.
Summer
Summer is the best time for Bay Fishing. The average water temps are in the 80's, so it can be very comfortable compared to other times of the year. It is also when most residents flock to the bays, which means there is more concentrated fishing pressure on popular areas.
Summer is the best time for tarpon fishing in Clearwater. There's plenty of snook and redfish in the shallows.
Go fishing early morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the unyielding sun.
Fall
Tarpon are around until October so there's still some good tarpon fishing in Clearwater. Other inshore fish species are redfish, black drum, trout, snook. Offshore there's king mackerel and spanish mackerel (trolling). The reefs a wrecks are good for snapper, grouper and amberjack.
Winter
The average water temps are between 68-73 degrees during winter, making it ideal for Bay Fishing or Offshore fishing. The backwaters are also prime locations to find redfish and trout. The speckled trout love hanging around in Florida's shallow waters during winter months, so November through May is the best time to catch them. Black Drum and Sheepshead can also be expected during winter time.
TOP FISHING TECHNIQUES IN Clearwater
TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES
Clearwater Beach is a very popular destination for vacationers, so there are plenty of other things to do here. This beautiful white sand beach stretches out along the west coast of Florida and has something to offer everyone in the family. Besides swimming in the sea, you can rent a boat or a Jet Ski from one of many charter services located next to Honeymoon Island State Park.
This island park is one of Florida's gems. It has three different beaches, including Caladesi Island State Park, which many consider the most beautiful beach in America!
The Clearwater Marina is located across from Sand Key Park, making it a great stop for lunch or dinner after catching some fish off the pier. The marina is a little slice of heaven for boaters, whether it be fishing charters, kayak rentals, or dolphin tours.
In addition to catching fish from the pier, there are also day cruises available from Clearwater Beach. If you prefer to spend your time on a boat rather than a fishing charter boat out in the open sea, consider taking a day cruise instead.
There You Have It!
The Clearwater area offers an abundance of fun things to do, but fishing takes the cake as far as Florida is concerned. Get yourself down there for a chill time on the water!
Be safe and have fun! Be sure to follow the local rules and regulations for fishing in Clearwater, such as bag limits and allowed fishing gear/equipment. Also, be aware of the tides to ensure you are fishing in the best location at all times.
LEGISLATION / REGULATIONS
You need a fishing license for your Clearwater fishing trips. The State of Florida gives residents, tourists and seasoned anglers a variety of fishing licenses to choose from, ranging from short-term to annual ones.
You can get a Florida fishing license through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website. You can also buy one from authorized resellers or at local tackle shop in Clearwater.
Visitors can Fish Without a License in Clearwater
No saltwater Florida fishing license is required if you are a non-resident who fishes from a vessel whose operator has a fishing license. This means that if you go fishing with a fishing charter in Clearwater, no fishing license is required.
Bag Limits
In order to protect the local fish stocks, the State of Florida has strict rules on bag limits. For each species there are minimum sizes and daily recreation bag limits. Check the rules before you drop a line in the water in Florida.
