5.0(1 Reviews)2 Hour Clearwater Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour familyfriendly inshore fishing charter in calm bay watersMorning, midday, or afternoon departures accommodate flexible schedulingAll bait, tackle, and fishing licenses included for hasslefree experience
Looking for a solid fishing trip that won't eat up your whole day? This 2-hour Clearwater inshore charter hits the sweet spot for families, beginners, or anyone who wants to get their line wet without committing to an all-day adventure. Captain Mason keeps things simple and productive, focusing on the calm bay waters where fish are plenty and seasickness isn't a concern. You'll spend more time with a rod in your hands and less time bouncing around in rough seas - exactly what makes inshore fishing so appealing here in Clearwater.
This trip stays smart and stays close. Instead of burning fuel and time running to distant spots, you'll work the productive inshore waters right in Clearwater Bay. The beauty of this approach is that you're fishing within minutes of leaving the dock, and these protected waters stay comfortable even when it's breezy outside. Captain Mason offers morning, midday, and afternoon departures, so you can easily fit this around beach time, lunch plans, or whatever else you've got going. The boat handles just two guests, which means personalized attention and no fighting for rail space. Everything's included - bait, tackle, and licenses - so you can focus on the fun stuff like setting hooks and landing fish.
Inshore fishing here relies on light tackle and smart positioning. You'll be working with spinning reels and rods that let you feel every bump and run, using live shrimp, pinfish, and cut bait to tempt the residents hiding around docks, mangroves, and grass flats. The captain reads the water and adjusts techniques based on tides, weather, and what's biting. Sometimes that means drifting over sandy holes for trout, other times it's sight fishing around structure for snook and redfish. The shallow water fishing means you can actually see fish following your bait, which adds a whole different level of excitement compared to deep water fishing where everything happens out of sight.
"Captain mason was super nice and patient, and helped me get the hang of fishing right away and we caught so many fish in just the two hours we booked with him in the morning (we even caught a 22 in trout) - definitely going back for a longer charter next chance i get!" - Elisabeth
Snook are the crown jewel of Clearwater inshore fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive ambush predators love hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they can dart out to grab an easy meal. They're strong fighters that will test your drag and make multiple runs, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. Best fishing happens during moving water on incoming or outgoing tides, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and the way they use structure to their advantage, trying to wrap your line around dock pilings or mangrove roots. Landing a slot-sized snook feels like a real accomplishment.
Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but they're serious business when it comes to putting up a fight. These black and white striped fish hang around any kind of structure - docks, bridges, rock piles - where they use those teeth to crunch on barnacles, crabs, and oysters. They're notorious bait thieves, so catching one requires patience and quick reflexes. Sheepshead fishing is active year-round in Clearwater, but winter months often produce the biggest fish as they school up for spawning. They're excellent table fare, with firm white meat that tastes even better when you've earned it by outsmarting their finicky feeding habits.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Clearwater inshore fishing, and they're perfect for building confidence on the water. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy areas where they cruise around looking for shrimp and small baitfish. They hit soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs with enthusiasm, making them ideal targets for anglers of any skill level. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though you can catch them year-round. Trout are forgiving fighters that don't require heavy tackle, and they're cooperative enough that you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot. Plus, they make fantastic eating when prepared fresh.
Redfish bring something special to every trip - they're tough, beautiful, and always ready to eat. These copper-colored bruisers patrol shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where they root around for crabs and shrimp. What sets reds apart is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, from live bait to artificial lures. They pull hard and steady rather than making flashy jumps, using their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. Fall and winter tend to produce the biggest fish as they fatten up and school together. The sight of a red's broad back and spotted tail cruising in skinny water gets every angler's heart pumping.
Cobia show up as the wild card species that can turn a good day into an epic one. These brown sharks look-alikes are curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, giving you shots at sight fishing with live bait or jigs. They're strong swimmers that make long, powerful runs when hooked, testing both your equipment and technique. Cobia fishing peaks in spring and early summer when they move into shallow waters, often following rays and sharks around the flats. Landing a cobia requires patience since they're not always around, but when one shows up, you'll know it. They're also phenomenal table fare, with firm steaks that grill up beautifully.
This 2-hour Clearwater inshore trip delivers exactly what it promises - steady fishing action in comfortable conditions without the major time commitment. Whether
The 2021 Carolina Skiff Ultra Elite serves as your fishing platform for this Clearwater bay adventure. This 24-foot motorboat packs a 250HP Yamaha engine that gets you to the fishing spots quickly, leaving more time with lines in the water. The boat's shallow draft design handles Clearwater's inshore waters perfectly, accessing those productive backwater areas where snapper and grouper like to hang out. Your captain can use the wireless trolling motor to position the boat quietly over structure without spooking the fish below. The built-in fish finder helps locate schools and bottom structure, while GPS navigation ensures you hit the most productive spots in the bay. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and stores any fish you decide to take home. The boat comfortably handles up to 5 anglers, though your 2-person group will have plenty of space to cast and move around the deck. Whether you're bringing kids for their first fishing trip or just want a relaxed morning on the water, this Carolina Skiff provides a stable, comfortable platform for targeting Clearwater's inshore species.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these dark, torpedo-shaped fish often get mistaken for their toothy cousins. Growing up to 6 feet and 100 pounds, they're true bruisers that love structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May brings the best action as they move through our area to spawn. What makes cobia special is their curious nature and incredible fight - they'll follow the boat and absolutely smoke your drag once hooked. They're also premium table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish. Most cobia are caught by sight fishing since they cruise near the surface. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them and hang on tight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bronze bulldozers of the shallows, famous for their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These 20-40 inch fish cruise our grass flats and oyster bars in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. They're year-round residents that feed on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. What makes reds special is their powerful, bulldogging fight - they'll strip line and test your drag like few other inshore fish. They're also great eating with mild, sweet meat. Spring through fall offers the best sight fishing opportunities when you can actually see them tailing in the shallows. Here's my favorite approach: look for nervous water or muddy spots where they're feeding, then cast a gold spoon or soft plastic just ahead of their path. Let it sink and work it slow.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple of Clearwater's grass flats, easily recognized by their silvery sides covered in black spots. These 14-24 inch fish love shallow waters around seagrass beds where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. The key thing with trout is not to overcook them since their meat is softer than other inshore species. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic jig slowly along the grass edges. When you feel that light tap, resist the urge to jerk - just lift firmly and reel.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Clearwater Bay with their distinctive black and gray stripes. These 1-8 pound fighters hang around any structure they can find - bridge pilings, docks, and barnacle-covered rocks are their favorite spots. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that they use to crush crabs, barnacles, and shrimp. Winter through early spring is prime time when they move in to spawn around our local structures. What guests love about sheepshead is the challenge - they require finesse and quick reflexes to hook. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, flaky white meat. My best tip: use small hooks and fresh shrimp, and when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's most sought-after inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long in our Clearwater waters. They're ambush predators that love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings where they can dart out for shrimp, crabs, and small fish. The cooler months from fall through early spring offer the best action when they school up in deeper channels. What makes snook special is their explosive fight - they'll make blistering runs and jump like tarpon. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around structure, cast right to the edges where the shadows meet the light. That's where they're waiting to strike.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain mason was super nice and patient, and helped me get the hang of fishing right away and we caught so many fish in just the ...
Clearwater