5.0(1 Reviews)6 Hour Clearwater Fishing Charter – Full Day Action
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour charter targets multiple species across diverse watersAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses included onboardProfessional captain guidance for beginners and experienced anglers
Picture this: sunrise over Tampa Bay, your lines in the water by 8AM sharp, and six solid hours to chase everything from snook lurking in the mangroves to Spanish mackerel tearing through nearshore waters. This top-rated Clearwater fishing charter gives you the time and flexibility to really get into the rhythm of the water. Captain Mason knows these flats, bays, and intercoastal waters like his own backyard, and he's got the patience to work with first-timers while still delivering the kind of action that keeps seasoned anglers coming back. With all your tackle, bait, and licenses covered, you just need to show up ready to fish.
Six hours means you're not rushing anywhere. We'll hit multiple spots throughout the day, adjusting our game plan based on tides, weather, and what's biting. The beauty of this charter is the variety – start the morning working the grass flats for redfish and trout, then maybe slide over to some structure for sheepshead, or head out to the nearshore reefs where kingfish and Spanish mackerel like to cruise. Captain Mason reads the water constantly, so if one spot's slow, we're moving to the next. This isn't a sit-and-wait kind of trip. You'll get hands-on instruction with different techniques, whether that's sight fishing in shallow water or working live bait around deeper structure. The boat stays comfortable with just two anglers max, so there's plenty of room to cast and no fighting over the best spots.
We're fishing smart out here, matching our approach to what we're targeting. For the inshore stuff – snook, reds, and trout – we'll use medium spinning tackle with live shrimp, pilchards, or artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs. When we're sight fishing the flats, it's all about stealth and precision. Captain Mason will pole the boat into position, and you'll get to make those perfect casts to fish you can actually see. For the nearshore action targeting kings and Spanish mackerel, we'll step up to slightly heavier gear and work with live bait on the drift or troll some spoons and feathers. The tackle box is stocked with everything from jig heads and gulp baits to circle hooks and wire leaders. Don't worry if you've never tied a haywire twist or don't know a chatterbait from a spinnerbait – that's what Captain Mason is there for.
"My family and I had a blast fishing with Captain Mason! We did a quick 2 hour trip, but still had plenty of time to catch a lot of fish. Would highly recommend. Captain Mason was great with our two boys (11 and 13), taking time to teach them how to use open reels, and patiently helping them out when they got lines snagged. He is super professional and made us feel totally at ease. Booking was super smooth, all handled over a few text messages. Communication was great before the trip, as Mason kept us updated on the weather forecast. All in all, would absolutely book again next time we're in the area!" - Johnathan
Spanish Mackerel are some of the most fun fish in these waters. These silver rockets show up in good numbers from spring through fall, especially around nearshore structure and bait schools. They'll absolutely destroy a small spoon or live shrimp, and their initial runs are pure adrenaline. Most fish run 1-3 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – when you find one, there are usually more around. Plus, they're fantastic eating if you want to take a few home for dinner.
Florida Pompano are the gold standard of inshore fishing, literally and figuratively. These beautiful, disc-shaped fish love sandy bottom areas and are absolute masters at finding crabs and shrimp in the surf and flats. They're not huge – most run 1-2 pounds – but they fight way above their weight class with powerful runs and head shakes. Pompano are notoriously finicky eaters, so hooking one feels like you've really accomplished something. They're best targeted from late winter through early summer, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in Florida waters.
Snook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove shorelines, bridges, anywhere they can hide and wait for baitfish to swim by. They're incredibly explosive when they strike, often jumping clear out of the water multiple times. A good snook will run anywhere from 5-15 pounds in these waters, with the occasional giant pushing 20-plus. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, but that just adds to the thrill. Snook are most active during warmer months and around moving water, especially during dawn and dusk.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Clearwater's grass flats. These spotted beauties are perfect for beginners because they're relatively easy to catch but still put up a decent fight. They love soft bottom areas with plenty of grass, where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Most trout run 14-20 inches, with the occasional "gator" trout pushing 4-5 pounds. They're active year-round but peak during cooler months. The best part about trout fishing is the numbers – when you find a school, you can catch them steady for hours.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats, built for power rather than speed. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water, especially around oyster bars and mangrove edges where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Slot-sized reds (18-27 inches)
Your fishing platform for this 6-hour Clearwater adventure is a 2021 Carolina Skiff Ultra Elite – a purpose-built 24-footer that handles everything from shallow flats to nearshore waters with ease. Powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha, this skiff gets you to the fish quickly and quietly thanks to its wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to spooky redfish and snook. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS navigation keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh during the full day on the water. Built for serious anglers, this Carolina Skiff's shallow draft opens up backcountry flats where the big trout hide, yet it's seaworthy enough to chase kingfish and Spanish mackerel in deeper nearshore waters. With space for your small group and all the gear needed for multiple species, this boat puts you in position to make the most of Clearwater's diverse fishing opportunities.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are one of our most prized catches - deep-bodied, silver fish with that distinctive yellow tint on their fins. Most run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, but they fight way above their weight class. These fish love sandy bottoms and grass flats, especially around Gulf beaches where they hunt shrimp and small crabs. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active in our waters. What makes them special? That buttery, sweet meat that restaurants pay top dollar for. They're also incredibly strong fighters - members of the jack family with serious attitude. My go-to trick: use small hooks with live shrimp or bright orange jigs, and fish the moving tide around structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers of our flats, easily spotted by their distinctive black spots near the tail. They range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to massive bulls over 40 inches. Look for them in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface - around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. They bite year-round but really fire up during fall and spring. What's special about reds? They're tough fighters that make long, powerful runs, and they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Plus, watching them cruise the shallows is pure fishing theater. Pro tip: when sight-fishing, cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinct black spots. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with bigger ones pushing 4-5 pounds. You'll find them over grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. Guests love them because they're great fighters with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for dinner. They're also pretty reliable - when you find one, there's usually more around. Best tip: use soft plastics or live shrimp under popping corks, and work them slow. Listen for their signature "drumming" sound underwater.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish - sleek, golden fish with that unmistakable black lateral stripe running down their sides. They average 18-28 inches but can push over 40 inches and 20+ pounds. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow bays and creeks, usually in 2-10 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes them special? They're ambush predators with explosive strikes and bulldogging fights. Plus, they're catch-and-release only, making each one precious. My best advice: target them at dawn or dusk using live pilchards or soft plastics worked slowly around cover. Be patient - they're moody but worth the wait.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are silver speedsters that average 1-2 feet and 2-3 pounds, but they pack serious fight for their size. You'll find schools of them cruising nearshore waters, especially around structure and bait balls during warmer months from spring through fall. These fish hit fast and hard - one minute you're trolling, next your drag is screaming. They love shiny spoons and small live baits like sardines. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky, and perfect for grilling. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep tension steady but don't horse them in. Their soft mouths tear easily, so let them run and work them back gently. Watch for diving birds - they'll lead you right to feeding schools.
5.0 out of 5.0My family and I had a blast fishing with Captain Mason! We did a quick 2 hour trip, but still had plenty of time to catch a lot of...
Clearwater