Quick Trip Clearwater Bay Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Two-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and spotted seatroutCaptain Ethan provides professional boat, tackle, and fishing licensesFamily-friendly trip suitable for beginners and experienced anglers
Sometimes the best fishing trips are the ones that get you on the water without eating up your entire day. Captain Ethan Hamrick's 2-hour Clearwater Bay charter is perfect for families with little ones, first-time anglers, or anyone who wants to squeeze in some quality fishing time. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most popular inshore species - Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Seatrout - in the productive flats and mangrove shorelines that make this area a customer favorite among local guides.
Captain Ethan runs a clean 22' Tidewater bay boat that's built for navigating Clearwater's shallow inshore waters. This isn't some cramped rental boat - it's a proper fishing platform with plenty of room for two anglers to work comfortably. All your gear is taken care of: quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of the right baits and lures for whatever's biting that day. Your fishing license is covered too, so you can focus on what matters - getting fish in the boat. We keep drinks on board to keep you hydrated, but make sure to bring non-spray sunscreen and polarized sunglasses. Trust me, you'll want those glasses to spot fish cruising the flats.
Clearwater Bay's inshore waters are all about reading the structure and knowing where fish like to hang out. We'll be working the grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges where baitfish congregate and predators follow. Depending on conditions and what's active, we might throw live shrimp under popping corks, work soft plastics along drop-offs, or pitch jigs tight to the mangroves. The beauty of a 2-hour trip is we can dial in on what's working fast and put you on fish without spending time experimenting. Captain Ethan knows these waters like his backyard and can adjust tactics on the fly based on tides, weather, and recent fish movement.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes when they hit. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are absolute blast on light tackle. They're most active during the cooler months from fall through early spring, often found in schools around structure. When you hook one, get ready for some serious head-shaking and line-peeling runs that'll put a smile on any angler's face.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish can reach 15-20 inches and provide excellent table fare. Fall is prime time for flounder as they move toward inlets and passes preparing for their offshore spawning migration. They're not flashy fighters, but the challenge is in the hunt - spotting them on the bottom and making the perfect presentation.
Snook are Florida's most prized inshore species, and for good reason. These ambush predators hang around docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings, using their distinctive black lateral line to detect vibrations in the water. They're most active during warmer months and can grow over 30 inches. When a snook hits your bait, expect explosive strikes followed by gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward structure.
Sea Trout, or Spotted Seatrout, are the bread and butter of Florida inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots are found year-round in grass flats and can reach 20+ inches. They're excellent eating and relatively easy to catch, making them perfect for beginners. Sea trout often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fights. They're found year-round in shallow waters, often tailing in mere inches of water while rooting for crabs and shrimp. A slot-sized redfish (18-27 inches) will give you a workout you won't forget, and their distinctive black spots make them one of the most photogenic catches in these waters.
This top-rated 2-hour charter strikes the perfect balance between productive fishing time and convenience. Whether you're introducing kids to the sport, testing the waters before booking a longer trip, or just need a quick fishing fix during your Florida vacation, Captain Ethan's got you covered. The boat's equipped, the fish are biting, and you're just a booking away from some world-class inshore action. Clearwater Bay's renowned fishing grounds are waiting, and two hours is plenty of time to create some lasting memories on the water.
This 22' Tidewater bay boat cuts through Clearwater's inshore waters with a reliable 200hp Yamaha pushing you to the best fishing spots. Captain Ethan's setup includes a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on redfish and snook without spooking them, plus a fish finder to locate those productive drop-offs and grass flats where spotted seatrout hang out. The powerpole keeps you locked in position when you're working a good bite, while the livewell keeps your catch fresh. GPS navigation gets you to the honey holes fast, and VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. With rods, reels, tackle, and your fishing license covered, just grab your sunglasses and get ready to fish Florida's productive bay waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the workhorses of our inshore waters - bronze-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near their tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, built like tanks with serious pulling power. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, sometimes in water so thin their backs show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action as they school up. What guests love is their hard-pulling fights and how they'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. They're also great table fare with sweet, firm meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing when you can see their copper backs in skinny water. My tip: when you see a red's tail sticking up while feeding, cast past it and work your bait back slowly. They spook easy in shallow water, so be patient and quiet.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks," are one of our most reliable inshore targets with their silver bodies covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger gator trout lurk in deeper holes. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with moving water in 3-12 feet deep. Spring through fall fishing is excellent, especially during dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and decent fight, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat. They're also great for kids since they're forgiving and fairly easy to catch. Here's a local trick: fish live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving tides. The cork creates noise and keeps your bait in the strike zone while trout cruise the flats feeding. Work it slow with gentle pops.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around Clearwater Bay - smart, strong, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black lateral line. Most run 20-28 inches and put up incredible fights with powerful runs and gill-rattling jumps. Find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-15 feet of water where they ambush baitfish. Summer and fall offer the best action, especially around structure during moving tides. What makes snook special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll test your drag and skill. Plus, they're protected gamefish, so it's all about the sport. They're also excellent eating when in season. Pro tip: cast live shrimp or pinfish tight to cover and let the current do the work. Snook are structure-oriented, so get your bait within inches of mangroves or pilings where they hide.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our bay system. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches and weigh 2-5 pounds, with both eyes on their left side and amazing camouflage abilities. Look for them in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time as they move toward passes to spawn. Anglers love targeting them because they're excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The challenge is feeling their subtle bite since they grab bait and don't run. Here's what works: use live shrimp or small baitfish on a jig head, fish it slow along the bottom, and watch your rod tip closely. When you feel weight or see the line move sideways, set the hook gently but firmly.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fighters that run in schools around Clearwater's inshore waters. These silver speedsters typically weigh 2-4 pounds and stretch 14-20 inches, with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. You'll find them near the surface around structure, grass flats, and drop-offs in 10-30 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and blistering runs - they hit hard and fast. The meat is excellent eating too, with a mild flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. Here's a tip: when you see diving birds or surface action, get there quick. Spanish mackerel school up to feed, and once you find them, you can catch several before they move on. Use small spoons or jigs and keep moving until you locate the school.
Clearwater, FL