Clearwater Inshore Fishing with Mow Fish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charter in Clearwater Gulf watersTarget Black Drum, Redfish, Grouper with experienced Captain MatthewSmall group experience with maximum four guests per trip
When you're looking for that perfect half-day fishing adventure in Clearwater, there's nothing quite like getting out on the water with Captain Matthew Karwoski. This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience - we're talking about a top-rated intimate charter that keeps things small with just four anglers max. You'll spend four solid hours working the productive inshore waters where the Gulf meets the flats, targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species. Captain Matthew knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's built his reputation on putting clients on fish while making sure everyone has a blast doing it.
Your morning starts early when you meet Captain Matthew at the dock, and from the first cast, you'll understand why this charter has become a customer favorite among both locals and visitors. The four-hour window is perfectly timed to hit the prime feeding periods without burning up your entire day. You'll be fishing the diverse inshore structure around Clearwater - from grass flats to rocky bottom, mangrove edges to channel drops. The beauty of this trip is the variety; one minute you're sight-casting to cruising redfish in skinny water, the next you're dropping down for some bottom-dwelling grouper. Captain Matthew reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working the flats on a calm morning or hitting deeper structure when the wind picks up. The intimate group size means everyone gets plenty of coaching and hands-on attention, making this trip perfect for seasoned anglers and newcomers alike.
Captain Matthew comes prepared with quality rods and reels suited for the day's targets, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need. Depending on what's biting, you might find yourself throwing live shrimp under popping corks for redfish, bouncing jigs along the bottom for black drum, or working cut bait around structure for grouper and black sea bass. The inshore game here is all about versatility - some days call for finesse with lighter tackle and natural baits, while others might have you chunking bigger offerings around heavy cover. You'll learn to read the water, understand how tides affect fish movement, and pick up techniques that'll serve you well on future fishing adventures. The captain provides all the essentials, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites you like to fish with. Live bait is often the ticket in these waters, and Captain Matthew knows the best spots to load up on pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp that'll get the attention of hungry fish.
The Black Sea Bass around Clearwater are absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag system and your arm strength. These chunky bottom dwellers love rocky structure and artificial reefs, typically running 2-4 pounds but occasionally surprising you with a real toad pushing 6 pounds or more. They're most active during cooler months, roughly October through April, and they're notorious for their aggressive strikes and determined fights. What makes them special is their willingness to bite - when you find a school, you can often catch several before they wise up.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore scene, and Clearwater's waters hold some real monsters. These fish can range from schooling puppy drum around 5-10 pounds to massive bulls exceeding 30 pounds. They're year-round residents but peak in spring and fall. What anglers love about black drum is their steady, powerful fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle grinding against your drag. They're suckers for fresh shrimp and crab, and there's something deeply satisfying about feeling that distinctive thump-thump-thump of a big drum inhaling your bait.
White Grunt might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for it with sheer numbers and excellent table fare. These schooling fish are abundant around structure and grass beds, typically running 8-12 inches with the occasional larger fish mixed in. They're perfect for keeping kids and new anglers engaged since they bite readily and fight harder than their size suggests. The grunt family gets its name from the distinctive noise they make when brought to the surface - it's one of those classic fishing sounds that never gets old.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in Florida, and Clearwater's diverse habitat holds them year-round. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot limit, with oversized bulls occasionally making appearances. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around grass flats and mangrove shorelines. Reds are special because they combine beauty, fight, and intelligence - they'll test your skills with their powerful runs and their ability to find every piece of structure to wrap you around.
Gulf Grouper represent the bottom-fishing pinnacle of this trip, with species like gag and red grouper available depending on season and regulations. These ambush predators hide in rocky structure and strike with lightning speed before trying to drag your bait back to their holes. Most run 16-24 inches, but the potential for a true trophy always exists. What makes grouper fishing exciting is the combination of technique and power - you need to present your bait perfectly, then have the muscle to turn the fish away from cover once hooked.
This world-class inshore fishing experience books up quickly, especially during peak season when the fishing is hottest and the weather is most cooperative. Captain Matthew's reputation for finding fish and creating memorable experiences has made this charter a trending choice among serious anglers. The four-hour format gives you serious fishing time without the full-day commitment, making it perfect for families, visiting anglers, or anyone looking to scratch that fishing itch without losing an entire day. You'll come away with new skills, great memories, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. The combination of Captain Matthew's expertise, Clearwater's productive waters, and the intimate charter experience creates something truly special. Don't wait
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from solid 10-pounders up to massive 40+ pound fish that'll test your gear. They're called drums for good reason - you can actually hear them grunting and croaking underwater, especially during spring spawning when they school up in shallow bays and oyster beds. These fish have powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and shellfish, so they put up a serious fight. Spring is your best bet when they congregate for spawning in muddy flats and around structure. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating - the big ones get tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a fish-finder rig and let it sit right on the bottom. Catfish won't steal crab like they do shrimp, so your bait stays put longer.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are solid fighters that'll give you a good battle until they break the surface. Most run 1-4 pounds here in the Gulf, though bigger males lurk in deeper water around structure. These guys love hanging around wrecks, rocky bottom, and old pilings in 20-120 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. They're part of the grouper family and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. What makes them really unique is they're all born female and change to male as they grow - the big blue-headed males are the old-timers of the bunch. Pro tip: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid strips and keep it right on the bottom. They're mostly bottom feeders but will occasionally hit jigs on the way down.
Mycteroperca JordaniGulf Grouper are the heavyweights of our offshore trips, averaging 70 inches and pushing 100 pounds when fully grown. These ambush predators hide in rocky structure, wrecks, and hard bottom in 15-100 feet, waiting to inhale anything that swims by - including small sharks and lobsters. Summer brings them into shallower water where we can target them more easily. What guests love is the initial hit and bulldogging fight as they try to get back to their hole. They're also primo table fare, though these fish are getting harder to find due to fishing pressure. Since they start as females and change to males later, the big ones are crucial for reproduction. Best approach is heavy tackle with live bait on a sliding sinker rig. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give them any slack - they'll head straight for the rocks and cut you off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what dreams are made of around here - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail that'll give you heart-stopping topwater strikes. Most slot fish run 18-28 inches, perfect for the dinner table with mild, sweet meat. You'll find them cruising super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water, around grass beds, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is that explosive topwater bite - nothing beats watching a big red blow up on a spook or popper in two feet of water. These fish are smart and spooky, so quiet approaches win. My favorite trick: if you see them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly back to them. Never cast right on top of feeding fish.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite Grunt might be smaller fish, usually 6-12 inches, but they're a blast to catch and make great table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. You'll find them around reefs, docks, and mangroves in shallow water from the surface down to about 100 feet. They get their name from the grunting sound they make when caught - grinding their throat teeth together. These guys are opportunistic feeders and will hit just about any bait you put down there, making them perfect for families and kids learning to fish. They school up tight, so when you find one, you'll usually find plenty. Nighttime is when they really feed hard on shrimp and small crabs. Here's a local trick: once you hook into a school, keep your bait in the same exact spot. Don't move - they'll keep biting until the school moves on.
Clearwater/Belleair Bluffs