Clearwater Florida Fishing Charters | 6 Hour Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple species dailyLight tackle with live bait for Tarpon, Snook, and RedfishMaximum four guests with experienced Captain Evan Denis
When you're looking for some serious fishing action in Clearwater, you've come to the right place. Captain Evan Denis knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this six-hour charter is designed to put you on fish from the moment we leave the dock. We're talking about targeting some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species using live bait and light tackle – the kind of setup that makes every hookup feel like Christmas morning. With room for up to four anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room to fight fish without bumping into each other. Fair warning though – we practice catch and release on Snook, Trout, and Redfish per captain's discretion, but trust me, the photos and memories will last just as long as any fish fry.
This isn't your typical party boat experience where you're shoulder-to-shoulder with thirty other people. Captain Evan runs a tight ship with just four spots available, which means personalized attention and prime fishing real estate for everyone on board. We'll be working the flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure around Clearwater Bay where the fish like to hang out. The six-hour window gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots – if the bite's slow in one area, we're not stuck there all day. You'll be fishing with quality light tackle gear that's perfectly matched to our target species. Live bait is the name of the game here, and Captain Evan knows exactly where to find the freshest shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish that these game fish can't resist. The beauty of light tackle is feeling every head shake and run – even a two-pound trout will give you a workout on the right setup.
We fish smart, not hard on these charters. Captain Evan uses a combination of drift fishing, sight fishing, and anchored presentations depending on what the conditions and fish are telling us. The light tackle approach means we're typically using spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound test, paired with rods that have enough backbone to handle a big tarpon but still let you feel a trout's gentle tap. Live bait presentation is an art form – we're talking about free-lining live shrimp under popping corks, slow-trolling pilchards along grass edges, and sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The captain will adjust leader length, hook size, and weight based on water depth, current, and target species. Circle hooks are standard practice here for better fish survival on our catch-and-release species. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – Captain Evan will walk you through everything from proper casting technique to reading your rod tip for subtle bites.
Red Snapper are the bread and butter of this charter, and these guys don't mess around when they grab your bait. They typically run 15-25 pounds around Clearwater, with some real bruisers pushing 30-plus during peak season. Best time to target them is summer through early fall when they're most active in our local waters. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is their aggressive strike – one second you're enjoying the scenery, the next your rod is bent double and line is screaming off the reel. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Snook fishing is pure addiction, and Clearwater's got some of the best snook water in Florida. These ambush predators love to hang around docks, mangrove edges, and bridge pilings where they can dart out and crush unsuspecting baitfish. They're catch-and-release only right now, but that just means more fish for future trips. A good snook will average 24-30 inches, but the real trophies can push 40 inches and give you a fight you'll never forget. They're most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, and watching one explode on a live shrimp in shallow water will get your heart pumping every time.
Tarpon are the kings of inshore fishing, and when you hook into one of these silver bullets, everything else becomes background noise. Clearwater Bay is famous for its resident tarpon population, especially during summer months when they roll and feed throughout the area. These fish can range from 50-pound "baby" tarpon up to 150-pound giants that will test every ounce of your fishing skills. The acrobatic jumps and powerful runs make tarpon the ultimate light tackle challenge – it's not uncommon for a single fight to last 45 minutes or more.
Sea Trout might not be the flashiest fish in our lineup, but they're incredibly fun on light tackle and probably the most consistent biters we encounter. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes where they hunt for shrimp and small baitfish. Most trout run 14-18 inches, with some real nice "gator trout" hitting 20-plus inches during cooler months. They're catch-and-release for now, but their gentle bite and beautiful coloration make them a favorite target for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats – once they get their heads down and start that powerful run, you'll understand why they're called "reds." These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water where they tail and cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Sight-fishing for redfish is about as exciting as inshore fishing gets – watching a 25-inch red slowly approach your bait in crystal clear water, then seeing that white mouth open up for the take. They're currently catch-and-release, but the photo opportunities with these gorgeous fish are worth their weight in gold.
Captain Evan Denis has built his reputation on putting clients on fish while showing them the time of their lives on the water. This
Our 23' Dorado bay boat is your ticket to Clearwater's best inshore fishing spots. This nimble craft draws just inches of water, letting you slip into backcountry flats where the big snook and redfish hang out. The 225 HP Mercury gets you there fast, then we switch to the whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor to sneak up on wary fish without spooking them. The fishfinder shows exactly what's swimming below while GPS keeps us on the hottest spots. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your rod without bumping elbows. The shallow-draft hull means we can chase tarpon into skinny water where the big charter boats can't follow. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working live bait around structure for snapper, this boat puts you right where the action is. The VHF radio keeps us connected for safety, but honestly, you'll be too busy fighting fish to worry about anything else. Light tackle makes every catch feel like a monster, and when you hook into a silver king, you'll appreciate having a stable platform under your feet.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snappers are true fighters that'll test your tackle once hooked. Most fish we catch run 15-25 inches and weigh 5-10 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them holding near structure like wrecks, reefs, and ledges in 30-100 feet of water. They love rocky bottom and hard structure where they can ambush baitfish. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're more active and feeding heavily. These fish are prized for their excellent table fare - firm, white meat with a sweet, mild flavor that's hard to beat. When hooked, they'll make powerful runs toward cover, so keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the rocks. Pro tip: use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut squid, and fish right on the bottom where they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, typically running 20-30 inches in our local waters. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes in water so shallow their backs show. They're year-round residents but fish best during fall and spring when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What makes them exciting is their powerful runs and the way they'll crash topwater lures in inches of water. We practice catch and release, but many anglers prize them for their sweet, firm meat. Their eyespots fool predators into attacking the wrong end, giving them an escape advantage. Look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows. Pro tip: use a gold spoon or topwater plug, and approach quietly - these fish spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful spotted fish averaging 14-18 inches with some reaching 24 inches or more. They love grass flats and shallow bays around Clearwater, typically in 2-6 feet of water where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. These fish are most active during cooler months, from fall through early spring, and bite best during moving tides. Anglers enjoy their willingness to hit artificial lures and their decent fight on light tackle. They have excellent table fare with flaky white meat, though we practice catch and release to protect the population. Look for them around seagrass beds and sandy potholes where they hunt. My go-to technique is a 1/8 oz jig head with a soft plastic shrimp, worked slowly along the grass edges during an incoming tide.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators with serious attitude, averaging 20-30 inches around Clearwater's mangroves and bridges. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line hang around structure - docks, mangrove edges, and bridge pilings where they wait for baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk, especially in warmer months from spring through fall. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight once hooked. They'll jump, run, and use every trick to throw your hook. Though we practice catch and release, anglers love the challenge they provide on light tackle. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, so getting them away from cover quickly is key. My tip: use live shrimp or pilchards near structure, but be ready to apply pressure immediately after the hookup to keep them from cutting you off.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate game fish - silver giants that can reach 100-200 pounds and leap clear out of the water when hooked. Around Clearwater, we find them in shallow bays, around bridges, and near deeper channels, especially during their spring and summer migrations. They prefer water temperatures in the 70s and 80s, making May through September prime time. What draws anglers from everywhere is watching a 6-foot tarpon go airborne multiple times during the fight. These prehistoric fish have been around for millions of years and can live 50+ years. We always practice catch and release since they're not good eating due to their bony structure. The key to landing one is keeping your rod tip low when they jump - "bow to the king" as we say. Live crabs and large pinfish work best, and patience is essential since the fight can last an hour.
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