Clearwater Half Day Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Halfday inshore fishing targeting cobia, grouper, and snookAfternoon departure accommodates all skill levels and agesComplete gear and bait package included with guide service
Skip the early morning alarm and still get your fill of serious fishing action. This afternoon departure at noon gives you the perfect balance – sleep in, grab some lunch, then hit the productive inshore waters around Clearwater for four hours of solid angling. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species including cobia, grouper, snook, and redfish in the shallow flats and structure-rich areas that make this region a angler's paradise. With all gear and bait provided, you just need to show up ready to fish.
The afternoon bite can be absolutely phenomenal in these waters, especially when the sun starts positioning itself for that golden hour glow. You'll be working the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and nearshore structure where these fish love to hang out during the warmer parts of the day. The beauty of a noon start is that you're fishing when many species are actively feeding, particularly around the tide changes that happen during your trip window. This isn't a cattle boat operation either – with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines properly. Whether you're a seasoned stick or someone who hasn't held a rod in years, the approach stays the same: put you on fish and make sure you have the techniques dialed in to land them.
We're talking classic inshore tactics here – live bait fishing with shrimp and pinfish, working artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons around structure, and sight fishing when conditions allow. The gear is medium to medium-heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from a feisty trout to a bull redfish that wants to make a run for deep water. You'll be casting to mangrove cuts, bouncing jigs off oyster bars, and working the edges where the grass flats meet deeper channels. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, so you'll be positioned on productive spots rather than spending half your trip running around looking for fish. Expect to work different techniques throughout the afternoon – maybe starting with live bait on the flats, then switching to artificials as you move to different structure.
Cobia are the crown jewels of this fishery, especially during their peak seasons in spring and fall. These bronze bulldogs can push 30-40 pounds and will absolutely test your drag system when they decide to make their signature long runs. They're curious fish that often come up to check out the boat, giving you sight fishing opportunities that get your heart pumping. What makes cobia so special here is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials – they're aggressive feeders that provide explosive strikes and memorable fights.
Gag grouper are the heavyweights that every angler wants to tangle with. These fish live around hard bottom and structure, and they fight dirty – diving straight back to their holes the moment they feel the hook. You'll find them in 15-30 feet of water around rocky areas and artificial reefs. The key with gags is getting them up and away from structure quickly, because once they get their head down and start bulldogging toward cover, it becomes a real chess match. They're excellent table fare too, which makes landing one even more satisfying.
Black sea bass might not have the glamour of bigger species, but they're scrappy little fighters that bite consistently and taste fantastic. They school up around structure and once you find them, you can often catch several before they wise up. These fish are perfect for anglers who want steady action, and they're great confidence builders for beginners who need to get comfortable with feeling bites and setting hooks.
Snook are the local celebrities – they're temperamental, structure-oriented, and absolutely explosive when hooked. These fish love mangrove shorelines and dock pilings, and they have this habit of making spectacular jumps when they feel pressure. The best part about snook fishing is the variety of techniques that work: live shrimp under docks, soft plastics worked along mangrove edges, or topwater plugs that create heart-stopping surface explosions.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as the locals call them, are the ultimate finicky biters that test your patience and technique. They're notorious for stealing bait and making anglers second-guess themselves, but when you figure out their mood and start connecting, they provide steady action. These fish are schooling species, so finding one usually means there are more in the area. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters, which makes the extra effort worthwhile.
This half-day format hits the sweet spot for most anglers – enough time to get into different species without the fatigue of a full day grind. The noon departure works especially well during warmer months when the afternoon bite often outproduces the morning, and you're not dealing with the crowds that hit the water at sunrise. With only two spots available per trip, you're getting a premium experience without the premium full-day price tag. The Reel Fisher has built their reputation on putting clients on fish consistently, and this afternoon window has been producing some of their best results lately. Don't sleep on booking this one – the combination of productive timing, personalized service, and target species makes it one of the most requested trips on their schedule.
This 24-foot Skeeter center console is your ticket to productive inshore waters around Clearwater. Built in 2015 with a powerful 300HP Yamaha 4-stroke, she'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and smooth. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful half-day trip - GPS to navigate the flats, fish finder to locate structure where cobia and grouper hang out, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish without spooking them. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, while the flybridge gives your captain a perfect vantage point to spot fish and read the water. With room for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without getting tangled up. Whether you're casting for redfish in the shallows or dropping lines for grouper around structure, this Skeeter handles it all with ease.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy little fighters that make up for size with attitude. Most run 1-3 pounds, though bigger males can hit 6-8 pounds and develop a distinctive hump on their heads during spawning. They love hanging around structure - wrecks, rocks, jetties - in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore and get aggressive. What makes them fun is they're willing biters that fight harder than their size suggests, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also unique because they start as females and change to males as they grow. My go-to setup is a double-hook bottom rig with squid strips or live shrimp. The trick is fishing right on the structure - these fish don't roam far from cover. Once you find them, you'll usually catch several since they school up around good spots.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the Gulf - big, dark brown fish that cruise alone instead of schooling up. These bruisers average around 30-40 pounds but can push 100+, making them a serious fight on medium tackle. You'll spot them cruising just under the surface around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they're spawning and migrating through our area. What makes cobia special is they're curious - they'll actually follow the boat and check out your baits. The meat is fantastic too, firm and mild like a cross between shark and grouper. Here's the trick: when you see one, don't get excited and cast right at it. Lead them by 10 feet with a bucktail jig or live bait - they spook easily but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable battle.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bullies of the bottom, averaging 3-8 pounds with some pushing 20+. These stocky fighters live around hard structure - rocks, ledges, and wrecks in 20-80 feet of water. The males are darker with spotted patterns, while females show more marbled gray coloring. Summer months are best when they're active and feeding heavily on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. What guests love about gags is the initial surprise - they hit hard then immediately try to dive back into their hole. The fight is all about power, not speed. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key to landing one is keeping your drag locked tight and pulling straight up the moment you feel the bite. If you let them run even a few feet, they'll wrap you around structure and it's game over. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are the smartest fish in shallow water - opportunistic feeders that can frustrate even experienced anglers. These copper-colored snappers typically run 12-16 inches inshore, though open water fish can reach 20 pounds. They love structure: mangroves, docks, rocks, ledges, anywhere they can ambush prey in 10-40 feet of water. They're active year-round but bite best on moving tides, especially at night when they really feed up. What guests appreciate is the challenge - these fish are picky and require finesse, but the reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also swift swimmers that put up a solid scrap. My advice: use the lightest tackle you can get away with and live shrimp on a 4/0 circle hook. Let your bait sit still on the bottom - too much movement spooks them. Patience pays off with these guys.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish - sleek silver torpedoes with that unmistakable black lateral line. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love structure and ambush points: mangroves, docks, bridges, oyster bars in shallow water. Warm months are best, especially around the full moons from May through September when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. They're also temperature sensitive, so cooler winter days can slow them down. The meat is outstanding too, firm and mild. Here's my tip: fish the moving water around structure with live shrimp or pinfish. Cast past the cover and work your bait back through the strike zone. Keep your drag smooth - their gill plates are razor sharp and will cut you off on a hard run.
Clearwater, FL