6-Hour Clearwater Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, trout, and sharks on inshore watersAll gear, drinks, and fish cleaning services includedSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Get ready for a full-day fishing experience on Clearwater's legendary inshore waters with Skinny Water Charters. This isn't your typical half-day trip – you'll have six solid hours to target some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish in the shallow flats and grass beds that make this area famous. Whether you're a solo angler looking to dial in your technique or just want the freedom to fish at your own pace, this charter gives you the time and space to make it happen. Captain will put you on snook, redfish, trout, and maybe even some sharks, with the real possibility of hooking into tarpon or cobia when conditions are right.
Your day starts early when you meet your captain at the dock, and from there it's all about reading the water and following the fish. Clearwater's inshore scene is all about variety – one minute you're sight-casting to redfish cruising the mangroves, the next you're working a grass flat for trout or throwing live bait at a tarpon that just rolled behind the boat. The beauty of a six-hour trip is that you're not rushed. You can work a productive spot until the bite dies, then move on to the next area when your captain sees the conditions are right. This is prime shallow water fishing territory, where you'll be working depths from two to ten feet most of the day. The boat will be rigged with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the essentials. Your captain handles the gear selection based on what you're targeting, so you can focus on the fishing. Drinks are provided throughout the day, and when you're done, they'll clean and fillet whatever you want to take home.
Inshore fishing around Clearwater is all about adapting to what the fish are doing. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on the situation. When the snook are holding tight to structure, you might be pitching jigs or live shrimp right up against the mangroves. For redfish on the flats, it's often about making long, quiet casts with soft plastics or topwater plugs. Trout fishing usually means covering water with suspending plugs or working grass beds with jig heads and shrimp. The shark action can happen anywhere – sometimes they show up while you're targeting other species, and your captain will quickly switch tactics to heavier tackle. If tarpon or cobia make an appearance, that's when things get really interesting. Tarpon require a completely different approach with live crabs or large swimbaits, while cobia are often sight-fishing opportunities where you're casting to fish you can actually see. Your captain reads the tides, wind, and water conditions to determine the best approach for each spot throughout the day.
Snook are the bread and butter of Clearwater inshore fishing, and they're here year-round with the best action typically from spring through fall. These fish love structure – you'll find them around docks, mangroves, bridges, and anywhere there's current and cover. What makes snook special is their aggressive strike and powerful runs. They'll absolutely smoke your drag when hooked, especially the bigger fish that can push 30+ inches. The slot size keeps things interesting since you need fish between 28 and 33 inches to keep, but catch-and-release fishing for snook is just as rewarding. They hit everything from live pilchards to DOA shrimp, and topwater action in the early morning or late afternoon is hard to beat.
Redfish are another year-round favorite that make Clearwater waters special. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and you'll often see them tailing in less than two feet of water. Reds are perfect for sight-fishing – watching a big red inhale your bait in clear, shallow water never gets old. They fight completely different from snook, using their broad sides to pull hard and steady rather than making long runs. The slot limit is 18 to 27 inches, and a good day can produce multiple keeper-sized fish along with some oversized bulls that you'll release. They're not picky eaters, taking live shrimp, cut bait, jigs, and spoons with equal enthusiasm.
Sea trout are your numbers fish around here, and they're active most of the year with peak seasons in spring and fall. You'll find them over grass beds and sandy pockets, often in small schools. While they don't fight as hard as snook or redfish, they make up for it in numbers and they're excellent eating. Trout respond well to artificial lures, making them perfect for anglers who want to dial in their technique with jigs, plugs, and soft plastics. The 15 to 20-inch range is common, with larger gator trout always a possibility.
Tarpon season typically runs from late spring through summer, and when they're around, everything else takes a backseat. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 20 to 40-pound class to monsters pushing 100+ pounds. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't just the size – it's the acrobatic jumps and long, powerful runs that can take you well into your backing. Even smaller tarpon are incredibly strong, and landing one is always a challenge. Most tarpon fishing is catch-and-release, so it's all about the experience and the photos.
Cobia are the bonus fish that can show up anytime from spring through fall. These brown sharks (as some people call them) are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities. They're excellent eating and strong fighters, typically ranging from 20 to 40 pounds in these waters. Cobia are often found around structure or following rays and sharks, so your captain is always watching for signs that might indicate their presence.
Your fully equipped motorboat cuts through Clearwater's inshore waters with ease, bringing you right to where the snook, redfish, and trout are biting. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of finding productive spots, while GPS navigation keeps you on course to the hottest fishing areas. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. This setup is perfect for targeting everything from aggressive sharks to the occasional cobia or tarpon that might show up. With all gear, bait, and tackle provided, plus professional cleaning and filleting service, you just focus on fighting fish. The boat handles Clearwater's shallow flats and deeper channels with confidence, getting you close to structure where the big ones hide.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds but can top 100. These solitary hunters cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-50 feet of water. Spring and early summer are prime time when they migrate through our waters to spawn. What makes cobia special is they're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that tastes like shark. They fight hard and run deep when hooked. The secret with cobia is spotting them first - they cruise just under the surface. Once you see one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait ahead of them and work it slowly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored bruisers known for their distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches around here and put up a serious fight in shallow water. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their power and the visual excitement of sight-fishing them in skinny water, plus they're great eating with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing, cast well ahead and let your bait settle naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a staple of inshore fishing here, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These speckled beauties love grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they move up to feed. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. Trout are popular because they fight well for their size, are relatively easy to catch, and make outstanding table fare - their white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're also great for beginners since they're not overly picky about baits. My go-to technique is drifting grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork, but soft plastics on jig heads work just as well in the right conditions.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier inshore game fish, averaging 1-2 feet but capable of reaching over 4 feet. These golden, sleek fighters love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and grass flats in shallow water. They're most active during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and strong runs when hooked, plus they make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're also unique - larger snook are actually females since they change sex as they mature. The key to landing them consistently is working your lure slow around cover. Live shrimp or pinfish work great, but don't overlook topwater plugs early morning for some explosive action.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate trophy fish - silver giants that can reach 6+ feet and 200+ pounds. These ancient fish love shallow coastal waters, channels, and bridges where they roll on the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during warmer months when they migrate through our waters. What draws anglers is their amazing jumping ability and raw power once hooked. They'll leap 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. Most fish are released since they're bony and not great eating, but landing one is a lifetime achievement. The trick with tarpon is using a circle hook and keeping steady pressure - don't try to horse them in. Live bait like crabs or mullet works best.
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