Clearwater Fishing Charters with Captain Jace
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, snook, and troutKids under 13 fish free with experienced Captain JaceSmall group charter accommodates up to 4 guests maximum
Captain Jace knows these Clearwater waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. This isn't just another charter - it's a 4-hour adventure that'll have you working the flats and grass beds where snook, redfish, and trout love to hang out. JT Fishing Charters keeps things personal with just 4 anglers max, so you're not fighting for rod space or competing for the captain's attention. Plus, kids under 13 fish free, making this a no-brainer for families looking to get the little ones hooked on the sport.
You'll be fishing the legendary inshore waters around Clearwater, where the Gulf meets countless creeks, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Captain Jace runs a clean, well-maintained boat that's perfect for navigating these shallow waters where the big fish hide. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots without wearing out the kids or first-timers. Expect to move around based on tides, wind, and where the fish are biting that day. This isn't a sit-in-one-spot kind of trip - you'll be covering water and learning why certain areas hold fish while others don't. The captain provides all the tackle and knows exactly what baits are working, whether that's live shrimp under popping corks or soft plastics worked along the mangrove edges.
Inshore fishing around Clearwater means versatility is key, and Captain Jace comes prepared for whatever the day throws at you. You'll likely be sight fishing the flats for tailing redfish, working live bait around structure for snook, and covering grass beds where trout stack up. The tackle is perfectly matched to the species - medium action spinning rods that can handle a 30-inch snook but won't overpower a speckled trout. Depending on conditions, you might be throwing topwater plugs at dawn, bouncing jigs along drop-offs, or free-lining live bait near docks and bridges. The boat is rigged for shallow water work, letting you get into places the big head boats can't reach. Captain Jace will teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and adjust your presentation based on what the fish want that day.
Snook are the crown jewel of Clearwater inshore fishing, and these ambush predators know how to put up a fight. They love hanging around mangrove points, dock pilings, and anywhere there's current and structure. Spring through fall is prime time, with the bigger fish often found in deeper passes during summer heat. What makes snook special is their attitude - they'll slam a topwater plug at sunrise, then turn finicky and require a perfectly placed live shrimp by noon. That gill-rattling jump when you hook one never gets old, and their silver sides flashing in the sun will have you planning your next trip before this one's over.
Redfish are another favorite that'll test your drag system and your patience. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats in schools, especially during fall when the water starts cooling down. You'll spot their black-spotted tails sticking up as they root around for crabs and shrimp in shallow water. The sight fishing aspect is what hooks most anglers - watching a 28-inch red track down your gold spoon in two feet of crystal-clear water is pure adrenaline. They're available year-round in Clearwater, but late summer and fall produce the biggest schools and the most action.
Sea trout might not have the size of snook or the power of redfish, but they make up for it in numbers and willingness to bite. These spotted beauties love grass flats and are often the first fish to hit the boat, especially for kids and beginners. Winter months can produce some real doormat trout when they school up in deeper grass beds. They're perfect for learning proper fish handling since they're more forgiving than snook, and their delicate mouths teach you the importance of a smooth drag and steady pressure.
Grey snapper add some variety to the mix, especially around structure and deeper edges. They're scrappy fighters that'll head straight for cover when hooked, and they're excellent table fare if you're looking to take a few home. Summer months see them moving into shallower water, while winter pushes them to the deeper grass beds and rocky areas.
Ladyfish are the wildcard that keeps things interesting when other species are being picky. These silver rockets will hit almost anything and jump repeatedly when hooked, earning them the nickname "poor man's tarpon." Kids absolutely love them because they're almost always willing to bite and put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on the boat watching and cheering.
Captain Jace and JT Fishing Charters offer exactly what Clearwater inshore fishing should be - personal attention, local knowledge, and access to fish that'll make your day. The 4-hour timeframe hits the sweet spot for families and serious anglers alike, giving you enough time to work multiple spots without turning it into an endurance test. With only 4 anglers max and kids under 13 fishing free, this represents outstanding value in a market full of crowded cattle boats and inexperienced guides. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new water or a family wanting to introduce kids to the sport, this charter delivers the kind of authentic Florida inshore experience that keeps people coming back year after year. Don't wait for the perfect weather or the perfect tide - good captains make great trips happen regardless of conditions, and Captain Jace has proven he knows how to put clients on fish when it matters most.
Captain Jace's 2022 Skeeter Bay is your ticket to Clearwater's best inshore fishing spots. This 24-footer packs serious punch with a 300HP Yamaha that'll get you cruising at 55 knots to where the redfish, snook, and trout are biting. Perfect for groups of 4, the boat comes loaded with everything you need – GPS to navigate the flats, fish finder to locate the action, wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and catch fresh. Built for Florida's inshore waters, this ride handles the shallows like a dream while giving you the speed to cover ground when the bite moves. Kids under 13 fish free, making it ideal for families looking to get the little ones hooked on fishing these pristine Clearwater waters.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as we call them locally, are smart fish that keep anglers honest. Most run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, but we sometimes catch bigger ones around deeper structure. They love hanging around docks, mangroves, and any kind of hard bottom where they can ambush prey. Being nocturnal, they're most active during low-light periods, but we catch them all day. What guests love about these fish is they're excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner plate. They're also great for teaching kids since they're fairly cooperative once hooked. Pro tip from years of guiding: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just enough to stay off the structure. Patience is key - they're opportunistic but cautious.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are what we call "poor man's tarpon" - they jump and fight like crazy once hooked. These silver rockets typically run 12-20 inches and are found throughout our bays, canals, and along the beaches. They're year-round residents that bite aggressively on just about anything - live shrimp, jigs, spoons, even flies. While many folks consider them trash fish, they're perfect for kids and beginners since they bite readily and put up a great fight. They'll jump repeatedly and thrash at the surface, making for exciting action on light tackle. You can catch them from shore or boat, any tide, any time of day. Fair warning - they have small but sharp teeth, so use a light wire leader. When you hook into a school, everyone on board will get action since they travel in groups and compete for food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in Clearwater. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots typically run 18-27 inches, perfect slot size for keeping. You'll find them in super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love most is the visual fishing - watching these fish cruise the shallows and seeing them crush topwater lures is pure adrenaline. Reds fight hard too, making long runs and using their broad tails to bulldoze through the water. Plus, they're fantastic eating. Local tip: look for "nervous water" or slight disturbances on calm days. Often that's redfish pushing bait. Approach quietly and cast ahead of where they're moving, not right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are a mainstay of our Clearwater flats fishing. Most fish run 14-18 inches, perfect eating size, though we get some nice 3-4 pounders during cooler months. They prefer grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around sandy potholes and drop-offs. Fall through spring is prime time when they school up in deeper channels and around structure. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit artificial lures - they're aggressive feeders that'll smash topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons. The fight isn't spectacular, but they're incredibly tasty with tender, white meat. During winter, look for schools in 15-20 feet of water near channel edges. My go-to technique is drifting grass flats with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in Clearwater. These sleek, golden fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 16-24 inches, though we occasionally hook into trophy-sized females pushing 30+ inches. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in shallow water, usually less than 10 feet deep. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so we fish tight to cover. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky. Here's a local tip: when casting near mangroves, let your lure sink a bit before starting your retrieve. Snook often hit on the fall.
Clearwater, FL, United States