Winter sheepshead season is officially underway in Clearwater, and our fishing charters this week found big fish stacked on dock lines, bridge pilings, and seawalls from Mandalay Channel through St. Joseph Sound. Cooler water and barnacle-rich structure make this the most dependable bite of the season—perfect for families looking for constant action. This Week’s Fishing Report: The winter pattern has fully set in across St. Joseph's Sound and Clearwater Harbor. As water temperatures drop, sheepshead slide up tight to structure and feed aggressively on barnacles and crustaceans. We focused on deeper docks with good tidal flow, bridge pilings during moving water, and seawalls that stay warm in the afternoon sun. Light tackle with small hooks and fiddler crabs or shrimp produced best, especially on slower portions of the tide when fish stayed pinned to structure. Most of our fish came from precise presentations tight to pilings—when the bite was on, it was quick and consistent. This is one of the most reliable bites we see all year, making it ideal for first‑time anglers and family groups. Species Caught While sheepshead were the star of the show, trips also produced a mixed inshore catch, including: Sheepshead Mangrove snapper Black drum This variety keeps rods bending and kids engaged, especially on shorter trips. Best Areas This Week: Nearshore wrecks out of Anclote Clearwater Harbor Dock lines and residential canals Bridge pilings with steady current Seawalls holding barnacle growth Abandon boats with heavy growth Protected water and short runs kept conditions comfortable even on cooler mornings. Why Winter Is Great for Family Fishing Winter inshore fishing around Clearwater offers some of the calmest water and most predictable action of the year. With fish holding close to structure and biting consistently, families can enjoy steady action without long runs or rough conditions. It’s an excellent time to introduce kids to fishing or keep everyone involved from start to finish. Next Week’s Fishing Preview: Clearwater Holiday Fishing: Mixed Bag Inshore Action. As we move into the holiday week, expect a true mixed‑bag inshore bite across Clearwater and upper Tampa Bay. Cooling water temperatures will keep sheepshead active on structure, while mangrove snapper, black drum, and seasonal species continue to show on docks and deeper edges. With light holiday boat traffic and calm winter conditions, this is shaping up to be an excellent week for family fishing trips, visiting relatives, and anglers looking to put fresh fish in the cooler during the holidays.

Clearwater’s winter inshore season is settling in, and the flats are coming alive with redfish cruising the sand holes and big speckled trout staging along the deeper grass. As bait thins out and water clarity improves, sight-fishing opportunities increase—giving anglers on our Clearwater fishing charters a prime shot at trophy reds and winter trout along Dunedin and Tarpon Springs. As December settles in across Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs, the winter patterns are finally becoming consistent — and that means excellent fishing for anglers who know where to look. With the first real cold snaps of the season, the bait is thinning out on the flats and the bigger predators have started sliding into the backcountry. If you're booking a Clearwater fishing charter this month, now is prime time to focus on the rivers, creeks, and residential canals where snook and redfish stack up in warm, protected water. Winter Canal Snook Are the Main Event Every year, once those overnight temps dip, the bigger snook begin pushing deep into the canal systems. These fish are looking for stable water temps, ambush points, and steady food sources — and Clearwater’s canal networks offer all three. We’ve already seen solid numbers of overslot snook tucked under docks, along seawalls, and staging around dark-bottom canal bends where the water warms fastest. Live shrimp, slow-rolled swimbaits, and finesse presentations are producing, but remember: winter snook demand a slower, more patient approach. If you’re willing to take your time and stay stealthy, this is the best shot of the year at a true trophy snook without ever leaving the backwaters. Holiday Gift Cards Are Now Available If you're looking for a Christmas gift that actually gets used, our Tightlines Charter gift cards are now live on the website. They’re perfect for family, friends, coworkers, or anyone visiting Clearwater this winter or spring. Whether they want inshore action, a nearshore adventure, or even a bucket-list tarpon trip in 2026, our gift cards make it easy to give the gift of a full day on the water. Pro tip: Many people use these gift cards toward upgrading to a 4-hour or 6-hour inshore charter when they’re here for the holidays. Tarpon Season 2026 — Book Now Before It’s Gone If you missed it, we just released a special report on why you need to book Tarpon Season 2026 early — and the response has been huge. Tarpon charters from May through July are the most requested trips of the entire year, and they sell out months in advance. If the Silver King is on your bucket list, now is the time to lock in your date. Remember: Once April hits, most of the prime tides are long gone. Grab your spot while there’s still availability. ⭐ Next Week’s Preview: As winter settles in further, we’ll shift our focus to the nearshore wrecks and reefs off Clearwater Beach, where cobia, hogfish, and mangrove snapper start firing up. These spots can deliver steady action during the colder months — and when conditions line up, they can be some of the most exciting trips of the season. Stay tuned — next week we’ll break down where to go, what to bring, and how to target these winter nearshore favorites

? Sight-Fishing Clearwater Redfish flats at Low Tide: Precision and Patience Pay Off! When the tides drop and the water clears, the flats around Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs turn into a redfish hunter’s playground. Late fall and early winter are prime time for sight-fishing redfish inshore, and nothing beats watching that copper flash tailing in skinny water before you make a perfect cast. At low tide, redfish push out of the mangroves and stage on oyster bars, potholes, and sandy depressions. The trick is stealth—move slow, keep the sun behind you, and watch for nervous water, wakes, or a flick of bronze just under the surface. A good pair of polarized glasses is worth its weight in gold here. ? Artificial Baits That Work: Artificial lures shine for sight-fishing because you can cast precisely without spooking the school. Here’s what’s producing on our inshore Clearwater charters right now: Soft plastic shrimp like NLBN, Gulp or Z-Man rigged on a lightweight jig head or unweighted hook. Paddle tails in natural hues—root beer, new penny, or pearl - worked slowly near the bottom. Gold spoons are perfect for covering shallow flats when fish are cruising. Topwater walk-the-dog plugs at first light, especially when there’s just a ripple of wind. Keep retrieves slow and deliberate—when water temps dip, redfish aren’t chasing far. Cast several feet ahead of the fish and let the bait intersect its path naturally. ? Tactics for Low-Tide Success Moving quietly is key. In water around a foot deep. Look for dark bottom with light patches—reds use those potholes as ambush spots. As the tide starts to rise, position near creek mouths or cuts; fish leaving the flat will funnel through and feed aggressively before sliding back under the mangroves. ? Why This Bite Matters Few things in inshore fishing match the excitement of watching a redfish charge your lure in clear water. It’s a test of skill, patience, and precision—and it’s a highlight of every 4- or 6-hour Clearwater charter this time of year. With cooler air, calm mornings, and crystal-clear water, November and December are tailor-made for this style of fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to sight-fishing, this is the most visual, rewarding way to target redfish all season. ? Book your inshore charter now to experience Clearwater’s best redfish sight-fishing while the tides and temperatures are perfect. Preview for next week: We’ll look at how colder overnight temps change trout behavior—and why slowing down your presentation will become the key to big specks in December.

The fall bite is heating up fast, and few fish put on a better show this time of year than Spanish mackerel. These lightning-fast predators are stacked up along the nearshore reefs and chasing bait schools just outside the passes from Clearwater Beach to Dunedin Causeway. When the water clears up and the tide starts moving, the macks push the bait right to the surface—watch for birds diving and you’ll know the action is on. Casting silver spoons, Gotcha plugs, or flashy casting jigs into the melee almost guarantees a hookup. Keep your drag light and your wire leader short (12–18 inches of #4 wire or 40-lb fluorocarbon) to handle their sharp teeth without scaring them off. For anglers who prefer live bait, pilchards or small threadfins under a popping cork can’t be beat. The trick is to keep moving with the schools—if you stop seeing surface action, slide a few hundred yards down the tide line and set up again. Spanish mackerel are one of the best ways to introduce new anglers or kids to fast-paced fishing. The strikes are visual, the runs are quick, and the cooler fills up fast when the bite is on. ? Book a 4-hour Clearwater fishing charter this month to get in on the mackerel run while it’s hot. Perfect weather, easy action, and plenty of excitement for all ages. Preview for next week: As the water keeps cooling, we’ll move back inshore and talk about how to target schooling redfish and sheepshead along the flats and oyster bars.

If you’ve been waiting for fast-paced, non-stop action on the inshore side of Clearwater, your time has come! The fall migration of Spanish mackerel has officially kicked off, and these hard-hitting fish are lighting up the waters along Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, and Dunedin Causeway. Schools of bait are pouring through the passes, and the macks are right behind them — slashing through pods of glass minnows and whitebait on almost every tide change. Where to Find the Macks This time of year, you don’t have to run far to get into them. Look for diving birds, surface splashes, and bait showers anywhere from Clearwater Pass up to Honeymoon Island. Spanish mackerel push close to shore chasing baitfish, often holding near channel markers, range towers, and just off the beaches in 6–20 feet of water. When the tide’s moving, you can even find them mixed in with ladyfish and jacks on the same flats we’ve been trout fishing. On a 4-hour Clearwater charter, we often combine both — working the inshore grass flats early, then sliding out to the passes when the tide starts pulling the bait out. It’s a great way to stay on the action all morning. Lures and Techniques: For Spanish mackerel, it’s all about flash, speed, and movement. These fish are built for chasing down fast-moving prey, so your lure choice and retrieve make all the difference. Spoons: A 1/2 oz silver or gold spoon is hard to beat. Cast long, let it sink a second or two, then burn it back just under the surface. The flash mimics fleeing baitfish perfectly and triggers aggressive strikes. Casting Jigs: White, chartreuse, or silver casting jigs and Gotcha plugs work great when mackerel are busting bait near the surface. The key is a fast, steady retrieve — if you think you’re reeling too fast, go faster. Wire or Fluoro: These toothy fish can slice through light leaders, so step up to a short section of 30–40 lb fluorocarbon or use light wire if you’re getting cut off too often. When they’re thick, double hookups are common, and the drag-screaming runs will keep even experienced anglers smiling all day. Gear Breakdown: Our Clearwater mackerel setups are light but tough enough to handle the chaos: Rod: 7’ medium Shimano spinning rod Reel: 4000-size Shimano reel with smooth drag Line: 15–20 lb braid Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon or short wire section Lures: Silver spoons, Gotcha plugs, or bucktails This setup allows long casts to reach busting schools while still keeping the fight sporty and fun. Hot Tip: Watch the Birds When you’re on the water, keep an eye out for diving birds. Gulls and terns feeding frantically on the surface usually mark the mackerel bite below. Move quietly upwind or uptide, kill the motor, and drift down through the school making long casts. You’ll know immediately when you’re in the zone — the hits come fast and furious. Book Your Clearwater Fishing Charter The Spanish mackerel bite is one of the most exciting fisheries of the fall season, and it’s perfect for families and beginners. The action is visual, the fish fight hard, and there’s never a dull moment. Our 4-hour Clearwater fishing charters are designed to make the most of this bite, with plenty of chances for photos, fillets, and memories that last. As always, we provide all Shimano gear, lures, and tackle, so you just bring sunscreen, a hat, and a smile. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list on the website for fishing updates, seasonal specials, and early booking for the upcoming winter inshore trips! Next Week’s Preview Next week, we’ll take a look at late fall nearshore fishing as the kingfish run heats up just off Clearwater Beach — bigger fish, heavier gear, and some serious drag-pulling excitement you won’t want to miss!

As water temperatures around Clearwater continue to cool down this week, the inshore bite has really come alive. Fall brings a major shift in fish behavior, and one of the most exciting changes is the return of big speckled trout to the shallows. These trophy-sized fish are following schools of bait into the grass flats, sand holes, and channels around Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs — setting the stage for some of the best light-tackle inshore fishing of the year. Where to Find the Trout: If you’re targeting trout right now, focus on shallow grass flats with patchy sand bottoms in 2–5 feet of water. The edges of spoil islands, channel drop-offs, and the mouths of tidal creeks are all producing quality fish when the tide is moving. On early-morning high tides, look for trout staging along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars before they slide back onto the flats as the tide falls. The stretch from Clearwater Beach south toward Sand Key and north toward Caladesi Island has been holding plenty of action, especially during the first few hours after sunrise. This is the perfect setup for a 4-hour Clearwater fishing charter, where we can take advantage of those prime morning tides and cooler conditions. Live Bait Tips for Clearwater Inshore Trout: While artificials are still productive, this time of year live bait can really make the difference — especially when you’re trying to fool those big, cautious gator trout. Live shrimp under a popping cork or free-lined with a small split shot is a classic and reliable setup. For larger trout, small pinfish or even live pilchards can tempt bites from fish that might ignore plastics. On charters, we typically fish with a variety of both — matching the bait to the tide and water clarity. When the bite slows, a well-timed pop of the cork can draw attention from nearby trout, redfish, or even the occasional snook. Recommended Gear Setup: To get the most out of your Clearwater inshore trip, we use a light-tackle setup that balances casting distance and sensitivity. Here’s a quick gear breakdown we run on the boat: Rod: 7’ medium-light Shimano spinning rod Reel: 2500 Shimano Stradic spinning reel Line: 10lb braided main line for maximum casting distance Leader: 25lb fluorocarbon leader — invisible in Clearwater’s clean fall water Hooks: 1/0 circle hook for shrimp or 2/0 for pinfish Floats: Popping corks or slip floats depending on water depth and wind This setup is perfect for trout, but also versatile enough to handle redfish, snook, and mackerel if they crash the party. Turn a 4-Hour Trip Into a Trophy Adventure: If you’re looking for a fun, productive, and educational way to spend a morning on the water, this is it. Our 4-hour Clearwater inshore fishing charters are tailored to take advantage of these seasonal bites — short, efficient trips focused on action and teaching techniques that help you catch more fish on your own. Families, beginners, and experienced anglers alike are loving this time of year. The weather’s cooler, the crowds are smaller, and the bite is steady. The combination of live shrimp, pinfish, and the right gear makes every cast a chance at a trophy trout. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list on the website to stay up-to-date on Clearwater fishing reports, seasonal tips, and early access to prime charter dates before they fill up. Next Week’s Preview: Next week, we’ll take things offshore — covering the nearshore fall run as Spanish mackerel and kingfish move in close to the beaches. Expect fast action, surface explosions, and plenty of light-tackle fun just a few miles off Clearwater Beach!