5.0(22 Reviews)Kids Fishing Charter - 2 Hours of Fun
5.0(22 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top RatedMost Reviewed
Twohour private kids fishing charter in Clearwater watersCaptain Mikey teaches fishing basics to young anglers safelyInshore Gulf fishing adventure for up to two guests
Picture this: your little ones giggling with excitement as they feel that first tug on their line, Captain Mikey cheering them on while the Clearwater sun warms your backs. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's where kids fall in love with the sport. Our 2-hour private charter is perfectly designed for young anglers, keeping them engaged without wearing them out. The shallow inshore waters around Clearwater Beach are like a natural playground, teeming with eager fish that love to bite. Your family gets the boat all to yourselves, which means Captain Mikey can focus entirely on making sure every cast counts and every moment matters.
The beauty of inshore fishing is that we're working the protected waters near shore – think grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and shallow channels where fish love to hang out. The boat ride is short and sweet, usually just 10-15 minutes from the dock before we're setting up on productive water. Captain Mikey has this area dialed in after years of fishing these waters, and he knows exactly where to find the action based on tide, weather, and season. The whole experience flows naturally – no rushing, no pressure, just pure fishing fun. Kids get hands-on instruction with casting, reeling, and the basics of reading the water. When someone hooks up, everyone gets excited, and Captain Mikey makes sure each child feels like the star of their own fishing story.
We keep the tackle simple but effective – light spinning rods that are perfect for small hands, along with easy-to-use reels that won't frustrate young anglers. Most of our fishing happens with live bait like shrimp or small pinfish, which drives the local fish absolutely crazy. Captain Mikey handles all the baiting, hook setting, and net work so parents can relax and enjoy watching their kids learn. We'll anchor up on productive spots, drift along grass beds, or work the mangrove edges depending on what the fish are telling us. The techniques are straightforward – drop your bait, wait for the bite, set the hook, and reel it in. No complicated jigging or advanced tactics needed. Everything is geared toward success and building confidence in young anglers.
"Captain Mikey and his first mate were fantastic! We had a great time! My four year old wanted to be a big helper and they made him feel extra special and they were so patient with him. I wanted to catch a big fish after catching some small ones and they took us to an extra spot so I could reel in a big one! Thank you for a great time!" - Kristin. "Captain Michael was great in every area including communication, teaching and more. He took care of my boys the entire time while making sure their hooks were set and casting. We were able to catch a number of fish which he also filleted for us. I would highly recommend." - DEMARCO WILLIAMS. "Really enjoyed it! 2 hours is the perfect timeframe for 2 little kids. Captain Mike took good care of us so the whole trip was easy!" - Jill.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Clearwater inshore fishing, and kids absolutely love them. These copper-colored fighters typically run 16-24 inches in our area and put up just enough fight to get young anglers pumped up without wearing them out. They hang around grass flats and mangrove edges year-round, though they're most active during the cooler months. What makes reds special for kids is how they eat – they're aggressive feeders that often give multiple chances if you miss the first bite.
Snook are like the local celebrities of our inshore waters. These silver rockets with the distinctive black lateral line are ambush predators that love to hide under docks and along mangrove shorelines. They're catch-and-release only, which teaches kids about conservation while still giving them the thrill of landing a premium gamefish. Snook are most active during warmer months and are known for their spectacular jumps when hooked.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are perfect for building young anglers' confidence. They're plentiful, willing biters that typically range from 10-14 inches around Clearwater. These fish are excellent table fare, so kids get the satisfaction of not only catching their dinner but learning about the connection between fishing and food. They school up around structure and are active year-round.
Gag Grouper represent the bigger prize that gets everyone excited. These bottom-dwelling bruisers can reach 15-20 pounds in our area and provide the kind of rod-bending action that creates lifelong fishing memories. They're most common during cooler months and prefer hard bottom areas and ledges. When a kid hooks into a nice gag, the whole boat knows it.
Tripletail are the wild card species that make every trip interesting. These oddly-shaped fish float on their sides near debris and markers, looking like floating leaves. They're incredible table fare and provide a unique sight-fishing opportunity where kids can actually see their target before casting. Summer months are peak tripletail season, and landing one is always a highlight.
This 2-hour kids charter hits the sweet spot – long enough to get into some great fishing action, but short enough to keep young attention spans engaged. Captain Mikey's patience and expertise with children make all the difference between a good trip and a great one. The memories your family will create on these Clearwater waters are the kind that last a lifetime, and the fishing skills your kids learn will serve them well for years to come. With our private charter setup, you get personalized attention and the flexibility to go at your own pace. Don't wait – the fish are biting, and your kids are ready for their next adventure on the water
Get your kids hooked on fishing aboard this reliable 23' Dorado Bay boat! Built in 2007 and powered by a dependable 200HP Suzuki engine, this vessel cuts through Clearwater's inshore waters at speeds up to 42 knots. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Mikey position quietly near fish without spooking them - perfect for teaching young anglers patience and technique. GPS navigation ensures we find the best fishing spots along the coast. With room for up to 5 guests but limited to 2 for this specialized kids' charter, there's plenty of space for little ones to cast lines safely. The onboard multimedia system keeps everyone entertained between bites. This fishing-focused setup gives children the ideal platform to learn proper casting, reeling, and fish handling in Clearwater's productive Gulf waters.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the perfect introduction to bottom fishing for kids because they hit hard and fight straight down toward structure. These mottled gray fish average 3-8 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk around offshore reefs and wrecks in 30-80 feet. They're year-round residents but bite best during cooler months when they move shallower. Kids love the solid thump when one grabs their bait, and parents appreciate the excellent eating - firm white meat that's hard to mess up. They hide around rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs, ambushing crabs and small fish. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their hole. Lock that drag down and muscle them up quickly, or they'll wrap you around the rocks.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are perfect for teaching kids patience and finesse. These copper-red fish typically run 1-3 pounds around docks and bridges, though they can reach 5+ pounds. They're year-round residents that bite best at dawn, dusk, and nighttime - opportunistic feeders that like to ambush prey from cover. Kids enjoy them because they're plentiful and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Look for them around any structure - pilings, rocks, mangroves, or artificial reefs in 10-40 feet. They're smart and easily spooked, so here's my trick: use the smallest hook you can get away with, keep your bait still on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They'll mouth it first, then commit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for kids because they're cooperative and fight hard without being too overwhelming. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-28 inches around Clearwater. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings. The cooler months from October through March are prime time when they school up in the shallows. Kids love the visual excitement of seeing their backs in skinny water, and they make great table fare with mild, flaky meat. My tip: when you spot one, cast past it and work your bait slowly back - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed shrimp bounced right in front of their nose.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's premier shallow water gamefish, and they'll give kids a fight they won't forget. These sleek silver fish with the distinctive black lateral line average 18-30 inches and love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round in our area. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and powerful runs - they'll jump and thrash like miniature tarpon. They're catch-and-release only, which teaches kids great conservation habits. Look for them in 2-6 feet of water around structure during moving tides. The secret is keeping your bait natural - a live shrimp or pilchard fished under a popping cork works magic. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but let your drag work.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the coolest fish kids can catch because they literally float on their sides like dead leaves, then surprise you with acrobatic jumps. These odd-shaped fish average 2-5 pounds but can hit 15+ pounds. They cruise near the surface around weed lines, channel markers, and floating debris during summer months when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes them special is their ability to change colors and their razor-sharp gills. They taste fantastic - similar to snapper with firm, sweet meat. The trick is being sneaky when you spot one floating. Don't cast right at them or they'll bolt. Instead, cast well beyond and slowly work your shrimp or small jig back toward them. Let them think they're ambushing your bait.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Mikey and his first mate were fantastic! We had a great time! My four year old wanted to be a big helper and they made him...
Excellent family trip. Captain is great with kids! Would book again 100%. Fantastic experience end to end.
Captain Michael was great in every area including communication, teaching and more. He took care of my boys the entire time whi...
Super nice guy - had a great time and great with the kids.
Captain Michael was fun and engaging. He took us to a nice spot where we caught lots of fish. He also filleted the catches and rec...
Really enjoyed it! 2 hours is the perfect timeframe for 2 little kids. Captain Mike took good care of us so the whole trip was eas...
Amazing guide and great experience. Captai nMichael was quick to bait all of our hooks ( 5 of us) and was very personable. When we...
Captain Mike was great with my son and always made sure the lines were ready with bait. Even with the wind and waves we still caug...
I can't say enough good things about our experience! It was great for my 3 young kids! And they all caught plenty of fish!
It was great. Lines always had bait and was great with the kids.
Great experience!!! Can’t wait to do it again !!!!
My family and I had a great trip with captain Michael. He communicated well and was great at teaching. We were able to catch a n...
Great guide fun times
This trip was awesome. Capt. Mikey was great with our boys. Always there to help and super knowledgeable about the local fishing s...
We had a great experience!! Our kiddos were helped so much! Mikey is so patient and fun!! Highly recommend!
Capt Mikey is super! Great with the kids, put us right on the fish, kept the bait on the hooks, lots of laughs and questions answe...
Captain Mikey was awesome! He was super knowledgeable about the area and all the fish we caught. He was great with my kids who are...
Captain Mikey was absolutely amazing! Patient and helpful with myself and my son and made the experience so much more enjoyable th...
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