Family Friendly 3 Hour Clearwater Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour family fishing charter designed for young anglersTargets redfish and seatrout in calm Clearwater inshore watersAll gear, licenses, and drinks included for hasslefree experience
If you're looking to get the kids hooked on fishing without committing to an all-day adventure, this 3-hour Clearwater inshore charter hits the sweet spot. Captain and crew at Wish Upon A Fish Charters have dialed in the perfect formula for young anglers – calm protected waters, light tackle that won't wear out little arms, and plenty of action to keep everyone engaged. The whole setup is designed around two kids and one adult, so you're not crowding the boat or competing for attention. Plus, everything's included from your Florida fishing license to cold drinks, so all you need to worry about is bringing the excitement.
You'll be fishing from a 22-foot Tidewater bay boat that's built for these inshore flats and grass beds around Clearwater. The captain knows exactly where to find cooperative fish that'll give kids a real fight without being overwhelming. We're talking about working the mangrove shorelines, shallow grass flats, and those productive drop-offs where redfish and trout love to ambush bait. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the water stays relatively calm, so even kids who get a little seasick on bigger boats usually do just fine. The whole vibe is relaxed and educational – your guide will explain what they're looking for, why certain spots hold fish, and how to read the water. It's hands-on learning that beats any fishing video or book.
This charter focuses on light spinning tackle that's perfectly sized for smaller hands and developing skills. We're talking about 7-foot medium-light rods with 2500-series reels spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. The captain provides everything – rods, reels, terminal tackle, and fresh bait. Most of the fishing involves live shrimp under popping corks or small jigs worked along the grass edges and mangrove roots. Kids learn the basics of casting, setting the hook, and fighting fish without getting overwhelmed by heavy gear. The techniques are simple but effective – bobber fishing when the bite is tough, or free-lining live bait when fish are aggressive. Your guide adjusts the approach based on conditions and what's working that day, always keeping it fun and manageable for young anglers.
Spanish Mackerel are absolute crowd-pleasers for kids – these silver rockets hit hard and fast, giving an immediate adrenaline rush that gets young anglers pumped up. They typically run 1-3 pounds in these waters, perfect for light tackle, and they're most active during the cooler months from October through March. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and the way they jump when hooked. Kids love the instant gratification, and mackerel are excellent eating if you want to take some home for dinner.
Southern Flounder provide a completely different fishing experience that teaches patience and bottom fishing techniques. These flatfish hide in sandy areas and around structure, ambushing prey from their camouflaged positions on the bottom. They're most active during fall and early winter, and catching one feels like a real accomplishment because you have to work for them. Kids get excited seeing such an unusual-looking fish, and flounder are fantastic table fare that even picky eaters usually enjoy.
Snook are the prize catch that keeps families coming back for more charters. These silver-sided gamefish with their distinctive black lateral line are true inshore legends, known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. They're most active during warmer months and around dawn or dusk, though daytime action happens year-round in Clearwater. Landing a snook, especially for a young angler, creates memories that last a lifetime. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, which teaches kids about conservation while still providing that trophy moment.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout, are probably the most reliable species you'll encounter on this charter. These beautiful fish with their distinct spots and canine teeth are perfect for beginners because they're relatively easy to hook and fight well on light tackle. They're active year-round in Clearwater's grass flats, with spring and fall offering the most consistent action. Trout average 14-18 inches here, and they make excellent eating. Kids love their prehistoric-looking teeth and the satisfying bend they put in a rod.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore game fish and a bucket-list species for young anglers. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots are built like tanks and fight accordingly. They're available year-round but really shine during fall and spring. What makes reds special is their tendency to cruise shallow flats where you can actually see them – it's sight fishing at its finest. A hooked redfish will make multiple runs and test every knot, giving kids a real taste of what serious fishing feels like. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are excellent eating, while the bigger bulls are typically released to fight another day.
This top-rated family charter fills up fast, especially during school holidays and weekends when parents are looking for that perfect outdoor activity. The 3-hour format works brilliantly for maintaining kids' attention spans while still providing enough time for real fishing action. With all gear, licenses, and drinks included, plus a captain who specializes in working with young anglers, you're getting serious value for a memory-making experience. Don't forget those polarized sunglasses and non-spray sunscreen – trust me, you'll need both out on the water. Book your spot with Wish Upon A Fish Charters and give your kids a fishing adventure they'll be talking about for years.
This 22' Tidewater bay boat is perfectly set up for families wanting to introduce kids to fishing in Clearwater's calm inshore waters. With a reliable 200hp Yamaha engine, you'll cruise smoothly to the best fishing spots while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the shallows for redfish and spotted seatrout. The GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating fish, while the powerpole keeps you anchored right where the action is. Kids love watching the livewell fill up with their catches, and parents appreciate the onboard cooler stocked with drinks and the stereo for a relaxed atmosphere. The VHF radio ensures safety, and the spacious deck gives everyone room to cast without tangled lines. Built for comfort and success, this bay boat turns nervous first-timers into confident anglers in just three hours on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, and perfect for young anglers. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black tail spots typically range from 18-27 inches in the slot and love cruising our shallow flats and oyster bars in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them year-round, but spring and fall offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. They fight hard, pulling drag and making kids feel like they've hooked a monster. The mild, sweet meat makes them excellent eating within the slot limit. My favorite trick: look for "tailing" reds in super shallow water where you can actually see their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs. Pitch a live shrimp or gold spoon just ahead of where they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of the most reliable fish in our grass flats. These silver beauties with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches and love shallow seagrass beds where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. You'll find them year-round in 2-6 feet of water, though they move to deeper channels during cold snaps. They're perfect for light tackle and provide steady action that keeps kids engaged. The soft white meat is delicious when prepared fresh. Here's a local secret: fish the grass flats early morning or late evening, and use a popping cork with live shrimp underneath. The noise draws them in, and that distinctive "pop-pop-pop" followed by a strong pull gets everyone excited on the boat.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around Clearwater's mangroves and structure. These golden beauties with their signature black lateral line typically range from 18-30 inches and are known for their explosive strikes and strong runs. You'll find them around docks, mangrove shorelines, and bridge pilings in shallow water, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They're ambush predators that provide heart-pounding action when they slam topwater lures or live bait. The fight alone makes them worth targeting, plus they're catch-and-release only, making each encounter special. Pro tip: cast your bait right along the mangrove edge and let it drift naturally - snook love to hide in the shadows and strike when prey moves past their hiding spot.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in our shallow waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey, typically running 15-18 inches and weighing around 5 pounds. You'll find them in the calmer bay areas, around oyster bars, and near structure in 2-10 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime times when they're more active and feeding heavily. Kids love the unique challenge of catching a fish with both eyes on one side of its head, and they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to tip: use live shrimp on a light jig head and work it slowly along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are some of the most fun fish you'll encounter on these waters. These silver speedsters typically run 1-2 feet long and travel in schools near the surface, making them perfect targets for kids. You'll find them around structure and grass flats, especially during warmer months when they move closer to shore. They hit fast and fight hard for their size, giving young anglers that exciting bend in the rod they're looking for. The meat is excellent eating too - mild and flaky when cooked fresh. Here's a local trick: when you see one school, stick around that area. Where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually more nearby, and they'll often circle back through the same spot.
Clearwater, FL