4.6(5 Reviews)Four-Hour Flats & Structure Hunt with Capt. Mikey
4.6(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Halfday private charter targets Gag Grouper and Grey SnapperCaptain Mikey guides beginners and experienced anglers on productive flatsAll tackle, bait, and Florida fishing licenses included
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that delivers consistent action without the hassle of planning? Captain Mikey's inshore charter out of Clearwater puts you right on the fish while keeping things relaxed and family-friendly. This four-hour trip targets the productive flats and nearshore structures where Gag Grouper and Grey Snapper hang out, plus you'll have shots at Tarpon, King Mackerel, and Redfish depending on the season. Everything's included – rods, reels, bait, and your Florida fishing license – so you just show up ready to fish. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing experience or you're an experienced angler wanting to explore Clearwater's inshore waters, this charter hits the sweet spot.
Captain Mikey knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on structure and flats that consistently produce fish. The trip focuses on light tackle fishing, which means more fight in the fish and more fun for everyone on board. You'll be working depths from shallow grass flats to nearshore ledges, depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. The boat can handle up to two anglers, so you're getting a truly personalized experience without feeling crowded. Mikey keeps the hooks baited and the action moving, so you spend your time fighting fish instead of rigging tackle. The captain adapts the fishing style to match your group's experience level – whether that's teaching kids how to feel a bite or putting experienced anglers on bigger fish that'll test their skills.
This charter runs on light tackle setups that are perfect for Clearwater's inshore fishery. You'll be using spinning gear loaded with live bait, which gives you the best shot at fooling wary fish in these heavily fished waters. The captain provides professional-grade rods and reels that can handle everything from schoolie snapper to bull redfish. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be bottom fishing around structure, drifting live bait over grass flats, or working artificial lures around mangrove shorelines. The beauty of light tackle is that even smaller fish put up a great fight, which keeps things exciting for kids and beginners. When you hook into something bigger – like a tarpon or king mackerel – that light gear turns the fight into a real battle that'll get your heart pumping.
"I took my 6 and 7 year old sons on a charter with Captain Mike and it was awesome. We were catching fish non-stop and Mike kept the hooks baited without delay. He was extremely patient with my 2 boys and made sure they were having a fun time. I really appreciated that Mike noticed I was spending most of the time helping my sons hook and real fish, so he stepped in to help so I could have a chance to catch a few fish myself. My boys had such a great time that they keep asking when we can go back and "fish with Captain Mike." Next time I'm in the area, I will definitely be booking another charter with Captain Mike. Highly recommend." - Benjamin Morrow
"Mikey is AWESOME! We had a great trip for our family of 4. Caught a ton of fish, enjoyed quality time together, and great conversation with Mikey and each other. Mikey took care of everything and knew when we needed bait even without us saying anything, which let us just focus on having a great time. We will be repeat clients!" - Cal Hurst
"Captain Mikey was terrific!! He knew exactly where to take us to catch big fish including grouper, snapper, hogfish and many more. He is very knowledgeable and provided a great fishing adventure for our family of 5. We even saw dolphins eating our catches that we threw back. We would definitely do another family fishing outing with him again. Thank you so much for a perfect fishing adventure!!" - Tina Menard
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of Clearwater's inshore scene, and they're exactly why anglers keep coming back. These fish hang around hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs in 20 to 60 feet of water. Gags are ambush predators that'll slam your bait hard and then try to drag you straight back to their hole. They're excellent table fare and put up a bulldogging fight that'll test your drag system. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move into shallower water to spawn. The current Florida regulations require careful handling, so Captain Mikey knows exactly which fish are keepers and which ones need to swim another day.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are scrappy fighters that'll fool you with their size. These fish are incredibly smart and can be picky about baits, especially in clear water or during heavy fishing pressure. They love structure – rocks, ledges, docks, and mangrove roots – and they'll hit live shrimp, pilchards, or small crabs. Don't let their modest size fool you; a good grey snapper will make multiple runs and use every trick in the book to shake your hook. They're active year-round in Clearwater waters, with peak action during warmer months when they're feeding heavily.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Florida fishing, and when you hook one, you'll understand why anglers travel from around the world for this experience. These fish can range from juvenile "baby" tarpon around 10-30 pounds up to massive adults over 100 pounds. They're famous for their acrobatic jumps and long, powerful runs that'll have you questioning your tackle choices. Clearwater sees tarpon action primarily from late spring through early fall, with peak numbers during summer months. Even smaller tarpon will jump repeatedly and strip line off your reel like you're fishing with sewing thread. Most
Hit the productive waters around Clearwater aboard our reliable 23' Dorado Bay boat with Captain Mikey. This 2007 craft packs a solid 200HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the fish quickly, cruising up to 42 knots when conditions call for it. The boat's wireless trolling motor lets us move quietly through the shallows without spooking the fish, while onboard GPS keeps us locked onto those honey holes where the gag grouper and grey snapper like to hang out. With room for your group and all the gear, plus a multimedia system for the ride out, this setup is built for serious fishing. We'll work the flats and nearshore structures where the action stays consistent, using the right tackle for these Clearwater waters. Everything's included - rods, reels, fresh bait, and your Florida licenses - so you can focus on putting fish in the boat during this four-hour adventure.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bruisers of our nearshore structures, averaging 20 inches but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These ambush predators love rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs in 20-80 feet of water. They're not much to look at - grayish with marbled patterns - but they make up for it with pure strength. When hooked, they'll immediately try to drag your bait back into their rocky hideout, so keep that drag locked tight and don't give them an inch. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. Guests love the challenge - it's a straight tug-of-war with some serious pulling power. The meat is fantastic too, firm white fillets that grill beautifully. Local tip: once you feel that thump, reel hard and fast to get them off the bottom before they wrap you around structure.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are some of the smartest fish we target around Clearwater's docks and mangroves. They typically run 12-16 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. These opportunistic feeders hang around any structure - pilings, rocks, grass flats - waiting to ambush prey. They're most active at dawn, dusk, and night when they feel confident enough to feed. What makes them fun is they're incredibly wary and require finesse to fool. The reward is some of the best eating fish in these waters - white, flaky meat with a mild, sweet flavor. They fight smart rather than hard, often trying to wrap you around structure. My go-to trick: use the lightest leader you can get away with and let live shrimp sink naturally to the bottom, then lift it just slightly off the structure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that patrol our nearshore waters from spring through fall, typically running 15-30 pounds with some pushing 50+. These silver bullets cruise depths of 40-150 feet, following baitfish along temperature breaks and structure edges. They're built for speed - streamlined bodies with razor-sharp teeth that can slice through light leaders in a heartbeat. What makes them exciting is their initial run when hooked - they'll peel line off your reel faster than almost any other fish out here. The meat is excellent, rich and flaky, perfect for grilling or blackening. Peak season runs April through October when water temps are in the high 70s to low 80s. They're notorious bait thieves, often hitting the tail end of live bait. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the nose, one near the tail - because kings love to attack from behind.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target, cruising our grass flats and oyster bars in water so shallow their backs sometimes show above the surface. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches around Clearwater, with that distinctive black spot near their tail that fools predators. They love 1-4 feet of water around structure - docks, mangroves, oyster beds - and they're year-round residents here. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat almost anything. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening. Redfish will hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The sight-fishing aspect gets people hooked - watching these bronze-backed fish cruise the shallows before making your cast. Best tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate inshore gamefish - silver torpedoes that can reach 6 feet and 200+ pounds, though most we encounter run 40-80 pounds. These prehistoric giants patrol our shallow flats, channels, and bridges in 3-15 feet of water. They're most active May through September when water temps hit the 80s. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly, sometimes 10 feet out of the water, trying to throw the hook. It's pure adrenaline watching one explode on the surface. They're catch-and-release only since the meat isn't great, but the experience is what people remember forever. These fish have been around for 125 million years and can live 50+ years, so we treat them with respect. Key tip: bow to the king when they jump - drop your rod tip toward the fish to give slack, or they'll snap your line on the way down.
4.6 out of 5.0
I took my 6 and 7 year old sons on a charter with Captain Mike and it was awesome. We were catching fish non-stop and Mike kept th...
Mikey is AWESOME! We had a great trip for our family of 4. Caught a ton of fish, enjoyed quality time together, and great conversa...
Captain Mikey was terrific!! He knew exactly where to take us to catch big fish including grouper, snapper, hogfish and many more...
Captain Michael was fantastic! He has a great demeanor about him, making you feel comfortable. He wasted no time- everything was r...
Great time. Will do again.
Florida