Clearwater Mackerel Fishing with Mow Fish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour spring mackerel fishing with Captain Matthew KarwoskiInshore charter accommodates up to four guests starting 8:00amExpert local knowledge maximizes Spanish and King Mackerel catches
Ready to get your line wet for some of Florida's most exciting inshore action? Captain Matthew Karwoski knows exactly where the Spanish and King Mackerel are stacking up this spring season around Clearwater's productive waters. This four-hour morning trip kicks off at 8:00 AM, giving you and up to three buddies the perfect window to target these fast-moving fish when they're most active. With years of experience reading these waters, Captain Karwoski has dialed in the patterns and knows which structures, temperature breaks, and bait schools consistently hold fish.
Your morning starts early, but trust me – it's worth every minute when you feel that first screaming run. Captain Karwoski runs a tight ship and knows these Clearwater flats and nearshore waters like the back of his hand. The boat's equipped with quality tackle and he'll have you rigged up with the right gear before you even reach the fishing grounds. Expect to cover some water as we search for active bait schools and temperature changes where mackerel love to hunt. The spring bite can be absolutely lights-out when conditions align, and with a small group of just four anglers max, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized attention. Don't be surprised if you find yourself in the middle of a wide-open bite where fish are coming over the rail one after another.
We'll primarily be trolling to cover water and locate active fish, using a mix of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait depending on what the mackerel are keyed in on that day. Captain Karwoski keeps his tackle dialed in with medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle these fish but still gives you that heart-pounding fight experience. Wire leaders are a must when targeting kings – their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. For Spanish mackerel, we'll drop down to lighter wire or heavy fluorocarbon to get more strikes from these finicky speedsters. The key is staying mobile and reading the water for bird activity, bait schools, and that telltale surface action that screams "fish here." When we mark fish on the electronics or spot surface activity, we'll position the boat to intercept their feeding pattern and put your bait right in the strike zone.
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of this trip – these torpedo-shaped predators can stretch over three feet and absolutely scream drag when hooked. Spring is prime time around Clearwater as kings move through following massive bait schools of sardines and threadfin herring. These fish are built for speed, hitting 40+ mph when they want to, and they'll test every knot and connection on your tackle. What makes kings so addictive is their unpredictability – they might slam a bait at the surface or come up from 60 feet of water to crush a trolled spoon. The bigger fish often hang deeper around structure, while the schoolies will chase bait in the upper water column. When you hook into a smoker king, get ready for multiple runs and some serious arm burn.
Spanish Mackerel might be smaller cousins to the kings, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters. These 2-4 pound rockets are absolutely beautiful fish with their silver sides and yellow spots, and they fight way above their weight class. Spanish macs are notorious for their acrobatic jumps and lightning-fast runs, often going airborne multiple times during the fight. They school up heavily during spring migration, and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. These fish are also excellent table fare – their firm, white meat is perfect for the grill or smoker. Spanish mackerel are less structure-oriented than kings, often found cruising open water chasing glass minnows and small sardines in the top 20 feet of the water column.
Spring mackerel fishing around Clearwater is as good as it gets, and Captain Karwoski's local knowledge puts you on fish when others are still searching. This four-hour window gives you prime fishing time without burning your whole day, leaving plenty of time to clean your catch and maybe grab some lunch at one of Clearwater's waterfront spots. With only four anglers per trip, you're getting a premium experience with personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to get your hands on some serious fish. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fillets in the cooler or just want to feel that adrenaline rush of a king mackerel peeling drag, this trip delivers the goods. Don't sleep on booking – spring dates fill up fast when word gets out about good fishing.
Meet your fishing platform for Clearwater's inshore waters - a 2002 Pro Sport 29-foot center console catamaran that's built to get you on the fish. This twin-hull design cuts through chop smoothly while the twin Yamaha 225HP engines push her to a 35-knot cruise, perfect for covering ground when targeting Spanish and King Mackerel hotspots. The center console layout gives everyone room to fight fish without tangling lines, and with space for 4 anglers, it's sized right for a focused group. The fish finder helps locate bait schools and structure where mackerel hang out, while GPS keeps you on productive spots. VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and marina, plus radar handles those sudden Florida weather changes. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over fish without spooking them - crucial for finicky kings. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Clearwater mornings. Captain Karwoski knows these local waters and where the mackerel run, so you'll spend more time with lines wet instead of searching empty water.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the big brothers of the mackerel family, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds out here in Clearwater waters. These silver rockets cruise the 40-150 foot range, especially around structure and bait schools. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-84°F. What makes kings special is their blistering speed - they'll rip line off your reel like few other fish can. The meat's rich and oily, perfect for the grill or smoker. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and double-hook your live bait - kings love to chop baits in half with those razor-sharp teeth, so that trailing hook often seals the deal.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are perfect for anglers wanting fast action and great table fare. These sleek fish run 1-3 pounds typically, with their distinctive yellow spots making them easy to identify. They school up in huge numbers around Clearwater's nearshore waters, often just 10-30 feet deep near grass flats and structure. Spring brings the best fishing as they move inshore to spawn. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight above their weight, and taste fantastic - mild, flaky meat that's not too fishy. They're also great for kids since they bite readily. Local secret: when you hook one, keep your bait in the water - where there's one Spanish, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
Clearwater/Belleair Bluffs