{"id":11526,"date":"2019-12-10T15:47:27","date_gmt":"2019-12-10T14:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=11526"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:21:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:21:02","slug":"fishing-in-clearwater-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-clearwater-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Clearwater Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 11<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p><a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/FL\/clearwater?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=11526\">Clearwater, FL<\/a> is a prime example of what makes Florida&#8217;s west coast great: white sandy beaches, warm seas, and an endless mix of productive fisheries. While fishing in Clearwater, you can explore shallow bayous or visit remote reefs. Choose between the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay. Wherever you go, you&#8217;ll find plenty of fish waiting to take your bait.<\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/fypiaz5ooc.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><style>wistia-player[media-id='fypiaz5ooc']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/fypiaz5ooc\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style><wistia-player media-id=\"fypiaz5ooc\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_outer_wrapper\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items: center; margin-top:-56.25%;\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_inner_wrapper\" style=\" overflow: auto;\"><p class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" style=\"text-align: justify; font-size: 5px !important;\">In today&rsquo;s video, we&rsquo;ll give you the top 5 reasons why you should book your next&nbsp; fishing trip in Clearwater, FL! Regardless of whether you&rsquo;re a diehard angler or&nbsp; just someone looking to catch a few sun rays on the beach, Clearwater is a postcard destination&nbsp; for those planning the perfect family getaway. Let&rsquo;s jump right in&#8230;\r\n\r\nThe first reason to visit Clearwater is the&nbsp; variety of fishing experiences you can have all on one trip. Whether you&rsquo;re in town for a tournament&nbsp; or just here to catch a few fish, Clearwater is one of the best places to combine a fun family&nbsp; vacation with an epic fishing adventure. In terms of diversity, Clearwater is hailed as&nbsp; one of the most rewarding fisheries on the Gulf. Its vast network of reefs, coupled with&nbsp; shallow bayous and productive honey holes, puts this destination on the top of the radar.&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can spend the whole day fishing over reefs, loading up on delicious bottom fish, and then&nbsp; troll for pelagics on the way back to the dock. If you&rsquo;re looking to stay close to shore, spots&nbsp; like Sand Key Park are awesome for surf fishing. You can expect a nice healthy mix&nbsp; of inshore species like Ladyfish, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and Jacks.&nbsp; You can also cast off of Pier 60, a licensed fishing pier that stretches 1,000&nbsp; feet into the Gulf.\r\n\r\nDepending on the season, you can catch Snook, Tarpon, Spanish&nbsp; Mackerel, Redfish, you name it. One of the best things about Clearwater is that no&nbsp; matter when you visit, you can expect solid action all year-round. In the Spring, you can expect&nbsp; to catch lots of Kingfish, while in the Summer, June and July are set aside for&nbsp; some awesome Red Snapper fishing! Even the winter months shouldn&rsquo;t be&nbsp; ruled out, as you can still catch Trout, Sheepshead, and Redfish.\r\n\r\nThe calm inshore&nbsp; waters are perfect for winter fishing trips and there are always plenty of guides in the&nbsp; area ready to take you and your family out. Before planning your trip, you should always&nbsp; check out FishingBooker&rsquo;s local fishing reports that bring you the most up-to-date and relevant&nbsp; information about the spots you&rsquo;re looking to go fishing in. Real updates by real fishermen.&nbsp; That way, you&rsquo;ll know exactly what&rsquo;s happening on the water, and exactly where and when to&nbsp; plan your next trip, before you actually book.\r\n\r\nYou can&rsquo;t talk about fishing in Clearwater&nbsp; without mentioning its amazing reefs. You can drift over shallow reefs&nbsp; that line the west-central beaches or head out even deeper to fish&nbsp; over even larger structures. A go-to spot for bottom fishing and&nbsp; also, a great place to bring the kids is Rube Allyn Reef. This large artificial&nbsp; structure is located 11 miles off the coast.\r\n\r\nYou can also catch Barracuda, and Snapper, as well as&nbsp; Goliath Grouper and even the occasional Amberjack. There are a total of 42 reef sites along the&nbsp; Gulf Coast of Pinellas County, from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete Beach. Some are located as&nbsp; close as 200 yards from the shore, while others are as far as 38 miles offshore.\r\n\r\nSo whether you&rsquo;re&nbsp; looking for a relaxing trip inshore or a deep-sea adventure far off the coast, Clearwater has a&nbsp; little bit of something for everyone&rsquo;s taste. And why stop there? You can even pick a&nbsp; charter to take you diving and snorkeling to get an even closer look at life&nbsp; that lurks just beneath the surface. For most people, fighting big fish is&nbsp; enough of a challenge for one day.\r\n\r\nHowever, like in any other sport, there are a select few&nbsp; who like to go the extra mile and push themselves to the ultimate limit. If you&rsquo;re a tournament&nbsp; angler, luckily, you&rsquo;ve come to the right place. There are loads of exciting fishing tournaments&nbsp; that are held in the Clearwater-St. Petersburg area, each year.\r\n\r\nThe most prestigious&nbsp; event is the Loop Billfish Tournament, held each August. This is a catch-and-release,&nbsp; winner-takes-all event with a guaranteed minimum purse of $50,000. Closer to shore, but no&nbsp; less competitive, are the King of the Beach Kingfish Tournaments. There&rsquo;s a Spring and&nbsp; Fall edition, each with $225,000 in payouts.\r\n\r\nIf you&rsquo;d rather fish from shore, you get not two,&nbsp; but three chances to take part in the Seawall Tournament. There&rsquo;s also a kids&rsquo; tournament in&nbsp; May, a ladies tournament in June, and an inshore challenge in January. Whenever you visit, chances&nbsp; are there&rsquo;s a competition going on somewhere. And for the final and most important&nbsp; reason you should come to visit Clearwater is that it&rsquo;s a great place to relax&nbsp; and unwind for the entire family.\r\n\r\nThis town is not only famous for its fishing,&nbsp; but also for its white sandy beaches, subtropical climate, and of&nbsp; course, its crystal clear waters! For these reasons, Clearwater is considered&nbsp; one of Florida&rsquo;s top family vacation spots. After your fishing trip, you can take the kids&nbsp; on Captain Memo&rsquo;s Pirate Cruise or take them on an exciting dolphin-watching tour. You can&nbsp; also check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where you can see animals like stingrays, sea&nbsp; turtles, and many other types of aquatic species.\r\n\r\nYou can take the family indoor surfing, play&nbsp; some mini-golf, head out on a sunset cruise, or go check out some of the&nbsp; shopping deals on Pier 60. The city also hosts a wide variety&nbsp; of sporting, music, food, and other cultural events, such as the Clearwater&nbsp; Jazz Holiday and Outback Bowl Beach Day. No matter what you&rsquo;re into, this town has&nbsp; something for everyone. Combine your fishing trip with a fun family vacation and knock two birds out&nbsp; with one stone (or catch two fish on one line).\r\n\r\nWhichever metaphor you prefer, planning a trip&nbsp; to Clearwater will make the whole family happy. If you&rsquo;ve been fishing in Clearwater, we want to&nbsp; hear about your experience. Leave a comment below and let us know about any tips on go-to spots,&nbsp; top target species, or how to best plan your trip. And, in terms of planning your&nbsp; trip, that&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re here.\r\n\r\nFishingBooker will help you find the charter&nbsp; that&rsquo;s right for you and your family. With hundreds of local guides, verified&nbsp; reviews, and hassle-free online bookings, you&rsquo;ll save time and money, and&nbsp; experience an exciting day on the water. So be sure to smash the like button&nbsp; and hit subscribe for more updates on the hottest fishing spots across the country. And of course, head over to FishingBooker.com&nbsp;\r\n\r\nto start planning your adventure today!<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/wistia-player><p class=\"text-after-video\">This article breaks down the many ways to fish around Clearwater so you can pick the one for you. We&#8217;ll cover the top species, spots, and styles of fishing, as well as tournaments, regulations, and more. By the time you&#8217;re done, you&#8217;ll know what to target and how and where to do so &ndash; without breaking any rules.<\/p><h2 id=\"best-fish-to-catch-in-clearwater\">Best Fish to Catch in Clearwater<\/h2><p>There are dozens of different fish out of Clearwater. However, the vast majority of anglers go after prized species, such as <strong>Snook, Tarpon, Mackerel, Snappers, Groupers<\/strong>, and <strong>Sharks<\/strong>. Here&#8217;s a quick introduction to the best of the best, and what makes them special.<\/p><h3 id=\"snook\">Snook<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Snook-Fishing-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling lady angler wearing a bikini and sunglasses holding a Snook on a boat\" class=\"wp-image-11543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Snook-Fishing-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Snook-Fishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Snook-Fishing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Snook-Fishing-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Snook-Fishing.jpg 1616w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Snook are Central <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-florida\/\">Florida<\/a>&#8216;s signature game fish. Aggressive, strong, and unpredictable. They&#8217;re a prized catch for every Clearwater fly fishing enthusiast and can be just as fun on spinning gear. The best time to target Snook is the middle of summer. They usually hang out in bayous and mangroves but may also hunt along beachfronts or around shallow pilings.<\/p><p>Sadly, Florida&#8217;s Snook have had a tough few years. Severe cold snaps and major <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/florida-red-tide-explained\/\">red tides<\/a> wreaked havoc on the Gulf&#8217;s inshore fisheries. Fish numbers are still recovering, so Snook fishing in Clearwater is currently restricted for large parts of the year. Don&#8217;t worry, though, it&#8217;s still an awesome place to target them.<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='129' data-destination-title='Clearwater' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field='fishFilter'data-filter-value='snook'data-headline='Top Snook Fishing Charters in Clearwater'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 id=\"tarpon\">Tarpon<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151340\/Clearwater-Tarpon-Fishing-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A group of anglers leaning over the side of a boat to hold up a huge Tarpon caught while fishing in Clearwater, FL\" class=\"wp-image-11539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151340\/Clearwater-Tarpon-Fishing-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151340\/Clearwater-Tarpon-Fishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151340\/Clearwater-Tarpon-Fishing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151340\/Clearwater-Tarpon-Fishing-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151340\/Clearwater-Tarpon-Fishing-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>If any inshore fish can outdo Snook for drama, it&#8217;s Tarpon. These shiny giants are the undisputed kings of the shallows &ndash; hence their name, &#8220;Silver Kings.&#8221; Hooking one is tough. Reeling it in is a whole new level. They&#8217;re known for their aerial acrobatics and crazed headshakes. Even experienced anglers will struggle to get one to the boat.<\/p><p>The best time to target Tarpon in Clearwater is summer. This is when big fish fill the bays and passes. The easiest way to hook them is with live baits (crab and shrimp are popular options). However, the ultimate goal for many people is to land a Tarpon on the fly. Anglers visit Clearwater for this exact reason each year.<\/p><h3 id=\"goliath-grouper\">Goliath Grouper<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151342\/Clearwater-Goliath-Grouper-Fishing-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"An angler holding a large Goliath Grouper in shallow water while man on a boat removes the hook from its mouth\" class=\"wp-image-11537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151342\/Clearwater-Goliath-Grouper-Fishing-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151342\/Clearwater-Goliath-Grouper-Fishing-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151342\/Clearwater-Goliath-Grouper-Fishing-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151342\/Clearwater-Goliath-Grouper-Fishing-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151342\/Clearwater-Goliath-Grouper-Fishing-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Goliath Grouper are one of the largest fish in the Gulf. They grow to 800 pounds and over 8 feet long. Even &#8220;small&#8221; catches can be in the triple digits. That isn&#8217;t just big, it&#8217;s laughably oversized. Why? Because these grumpy giants tend to hang out inshore &ndash; you can even catch them from piers, although we wouldn&#8217;t recommend it.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Hooking a Goliath Grouper is more a matter of luck than skill. They take pretty much any natural bait and don&#8217;t really mind how you present it. Your best bet is to drop live baits that match the local forage. Bring the heaviest rod and the thickest line you can find and get ready for a tough fight. Use circle hooks for an easy release, as Goliaths are strictly protected.<\/p><h3 id=\"red-snapper\">Red Snapper<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151338\/Clearwater-Red-Snapper-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man sitting on the boat railing, holding up a Red Snapper, with blue open waters and blue skies behind him\" class=\"wp-image-11540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151338\/Clearwater-Red-Snapper-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151338\/Clearwater-Red-Snapper-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151338\/Clearwater-Red-Snapper-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151338\/Clearwater-Red-Snapper-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151338\/Clearwater-Red-Snapper-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Finally, a fish you can eat! For many people, Red Snapper is the tastiest meal in the sea. It produces large fillets of flaky white meat that are delicious any way you cook them. Unsurprisingly, a lot of people want to catch these guys. Because of this, the Red Snapper season has been very short &ndash; until recently, that is! You&#8217;ll have more chances this year than ever before at landing one of these beauties!<\/p><p>It takes a while to get to them (20 miles or more) but it&#8217;s worth it for a slice of this premium table fare. Snapper aren&#8217;t just good for eating, mind you. These are large predators that know how to throw their weight around. They&#8217;re also good at breaking your line on the rocky reefs they call home.<\/p><h3 id=\"king-mackerel\">King Mackerel<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151337\/Clearwater-King-Mackerel-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"A man and a boy standing on a fishing a boat, holding a large King Mackerel caught while fishing in Clearwater, Florida\" class=\"wp-image-11541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151337\/Clearwater-King-Mackerel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151337\/Clearwater-King-Mackerel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151337\/Clearwater-King-Mackerel-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151337\/Clearwater-King-Mackerel-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151337\/Clearwater-King-Mackerel-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>There&#8217;s a lot to love about Florida&#8217;s &#8220;Kingfish.&#8221; They grow big, fight hard, and look cool. What&#8217;s more, they come reasonably close to shore. King Mackerel are the perfect catch if you want a taste of <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/deep-sea-fishing-in-clearwater\/\">deep sea fishing<\/a> without the long travel times. This also makes them a popular target in Clearwater&#8217;s tournaments &ndash; but more on that later.<\/p><p>King Mackerel migrate up and down the Gulf Coast each year, passing Clearwater in the spring and fall. The best way to fish for them is by trolling. A common tactic is to troll back from the reef once you&#8217;ve caught your fill of bottom fish. Mackerel have oily meat that can be tasty barbecued or smoked. This is how they got their nickname, &#8220;Smoker Kings.&#8221;<\/p><h3 id=\"sharks\">Sharks<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151341\/Clearwater-Shark-Fishing-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"A smiling man holding a Shark on a boat, with the shoreline in the distance behind him\" class=\"wp-image-11538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151341\/Clearwater-Shark-Fishing-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151341\/Clearwater-Shark-Fishing-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151341\/Clearwater-Shark-Fishing-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151341\/Clearwater-Shark-Fishing.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>The Gulf of Mexico is home to a huge mix of Sharks. From kid-friendly species like Bonnetheads to heavy tackle monsters like Hammerheads, you&#8217;ve got a Shark for every type of angler in these warm waters. The best time for Shark fishing around Clearwater is summer. How you catch them depends on the species.<\/p><p>If you&#8217;re going after small Sharks, you can get great results fishing from jetties. A lot of charter captains also run specialist Shark trips that are a huge hit with kids. After something bigger? Surf fishing for Bull Sharks is a challenge for any angler. It&rsquo;s even more exciting at night, when the fish are most active.<\/p><h3 id=\"expert-insights-capt-stevens-tips\">Expert Insights: Capt. Steven&#8217;s Tips<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/10\/14140412\/Hogfish.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a satisfied angler holding Hogfish with both his hands while standing on a charter fishing boat.\" class=\"wp-image-41154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/10\/14140412\/Hogfish.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/10\/14140412\/Hogfish-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/10\/14140412\/Hogfish-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Captain Steven Dreth of<a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/charters\/view\/31030?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=11526\"> My Girls Adventures<\/a><strong> <\/strong>fishes all around the waters of Florida &ndash; from the inshore mangroves and shallow waters to heading offshore to the wrecks where bigger fish lurk in wait. Here, he shares the kind of species you can expect to encounter when fishing in Clearwater:<\/p><blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;I fish the mangroves, the flats, the wrecks. For customers that would like to stay nearshore or inshore, I fish the flats, I fish the mangrove islands, I fish areas inland where we can catch Spanish Mackerel, we&#8217;ll get Speckled Trout, we&#8217;ll get Snook and Redfish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><p>And for anglers who are looking to head further offshore?&nbsp;<\/p><blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;We can go past that 9-mile point, which means bigger fish. We&#8217;ll head to the wrecks and, year-round, we do very well with Hogfish. Something customers might not expect is that we&#8217;ve also been seeing a good turnout of Permit and Cobia, those hard-fighters. If they&#8217;re willing to make the journey out there, chances are they&#8217;ll come across these fish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><p>Capt. Steven&#8217;s advice for customers looking to fish in Clearwater is simple:&nbsp;<\/p><blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Just get out here and fish. You never know what you might catch!&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><p>So there you have it &ndash; whether you&#8217;re looking for a hard-fighter or some delicious eating fish, Clearwater has it all.&nbsp;<\/p><div class='reviews-fetcher-container' data-destination-id='129' data-destination-title='Clearwater' data-category-title='' data-category='' data-category-id='' data-trigger='reviews-fetcher' data-viewport-event='view_reviews_fetcher' data-action='In viewport' data-viewport-category='Reviews' data-label=''>\n                    <h3>What anglers said about fishing in Clearwater<\/h3>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"how-to-go-fishing-in-clearwater\">How to Go Fishing in Clearwater<\/h2><p>Your main dilemma isn&#8217;t what to catch while you&#8217;re in Clearwater, it&#8217;s how to reach it. In general, the three main ways of wetting a line here are on a <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/charters\/search\/us\/FL?search_location=clearwater&amp;utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=11526\">charter boat<\/a>, on a kayak, or from shore. Here&#8217;s a brief explanation of what to expect from each option.<\/p><h3 id=\"charter-fishing\">Charter Fishing<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151334\/Clearwater-Charter-Fishing-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man and a woman speeding offshore on a sportfishing boat\" class=\"wp-image-11545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151334\/Clearwater-Charter-Fishing-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151334\/Clearwater-Charter-Fishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151334\/Clearwater-Charter-Fishing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151334\/Clearwater-Charter-Fishing-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151334\/Clearwater-Charter-Fishing-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Charters are the only way to reach offshore species like Kingfish, Red Snapper, or Tuna. They&#8217;re also great for targeting inshore game like Tarpon and Snook. You can fish more remote areas and stay on top of your target once you find it. And that&#8217;s just the boat itself. Charters also come with quality tackle, not to mention a local guide who knows all the best spots.<\/p><p>There are two main types of charters: shared and private. On private charters, the captain adapts to your goals and is on hand to help you during the trip. Shared &#8220;party boats&#8221; are more basic: You get a rod, bait, and a spot on the boat, but much less help. They&#8217;re a cheap way for solo anglers to get onto the water but don&#8217;t compare to the VIP experience of a private charter.<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='129' data-destination-title='Clearwater' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field=''data-filter-value=''data-headline='Top Fishing Charters in Clearwater'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 id=\"kayak-fishing\">Kayak Fishing<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Kayak-Fishing-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man fishing on a kayak, with palm trees on the bank in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-11542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Kayak-Fishing-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Kayak-Fishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Kayak-Fishing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Kayak-Fishing-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151336\/Clearwater-Kayak-Fishing-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Kayak fishing is pretty popular around Clearwater, and it&#8217;s easy to see why. You can escape the crowds and explore the shallows at your own pace. Even if you&#8217;re a complete beginner, jumping in a kayak will get you to some great fishing spots. You&#8217;re more limited in what you can catch, though. The main targets are Trout, Snook, Redfish, and other inshore species.<\/p><p>Clearwater kayak fishing can be as easy as renting a &#8216;yak and a rod from a beachside booth. For the full experience, you could also consider fishing with a guide. These guys usually provide proper pedal-drive fishing kayaks with rod holders and catch nets, as well as all the necessary equipment. They also give you tips on fighting fish from a kayak, which takes a little getting used to.<\/p><h3 id=\"shore-fishing\">Shore Fishing<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151330\/Clearwater-Shore-Fishing-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"A man surf fishing on a white sandy beach in Clearwater, FL\" class=\"wp-image-11550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151330\/Clearwater-Shore-Fishing-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151330\/Clearwater-Shore-Fishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151330\/Clearwater-Shore-Fishing-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151330\/Clearwater-Shore-Fishing-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151330\/Clearwater-Shore-Fishing-2048x1368.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Of course, you don&#8217;t need to leave dry land at all. You can find plenty of action from shore. Clearwater is surrounded by beaches, parks, and piers where you can wet a line and catch some fish. Some beaches will be too crowded for fishing, but as long as you stay away from the main tourist hot spots you should find space.<\/p><p>The reason people love fishing from shore is that you&#8217;re completely on your own schedule. Fish all night or just for an hour &ndash; it&#8217;s entirely up to you. This also lets you be flexible if you&#8217;re the only angler in your group. The main downside to shore fishing is that you need to bring your own gear. You can rent rods locally, but they&#8217;re often in pretty bad shape.<\/p><h2 id=\"clearwater-fishing-spots\">Clearwater Fishing Spots<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14140942\/Clearwater-Fishing-Map-Spots-1024x683-update.jpg\" alt=\"A Clearwater fishing map with information on good fishing spots in Clearwater, FL\" class=\"wp-image-38371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14140942\/Clearwater-Fishing-Map-Spots-1024x683-update.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14140942\/Clearwater-Fishing-Map-Spots-1024x683-update-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14140942\/Clearwater-Fishing-Map-Spots-1024x683-update-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>By now, you should have a decent handle on what you can catch and how. Now you need to know where to do it. The best honey holes are always a closely-guarded secret, and we respect that. However, there are plenty of well-known and well-loved places to fish around Clearwater. Here are a couple of productive spots for each style of fishing.<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sand Key Park<\/strong>: A pretty park with plenty to keep the whole family happy. Most importantly, the park has great surf fishing, as well as rocks and small wooden jetties facing Clearwater Pass. Expect a mix of inshore species like Ladyfish, Drum, Sheepshead, and Jacks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pier 60<\/strong>: A licensed fishing pier stretching 1,000 feet into the Gulf. It costs $10 to fish here all day with your own gear. Or, you can rent rods and buy bait for an additional $18. Depending on the season, you can catch Snook, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Trout, Redfish, and more. The pier gets pretty busy in summer. <em>Please note that it is currently closed for renovations.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Philippe Park<\/strong>: A beautiful park with a small pier and beach to fish from. You can also launch a kayak into Safety Harbor. Don&#8217;t expect to catch a monster (mainly medium-size Redfish and Trout) but this relaxing slice of old Florida is a welcome break from the Gulf Coast crowds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hurricane Pass<\/strong>: An area of deep water between Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands. The area is known for its monster Snook, but you can catch anything from Redfish and Flounder to Cobia and Kingfish here. You need a strong pair of arms to reach the pass on a kayak.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rube Allyn Reef<\/strong>: A large artificial reef 11 miles offshore from Clearwater. The reef is famous for its big Smoker King bite every spring and fall. You can also catch Barracuda, Grunt, and Snapper, as well as Goliath Grouper and even the occasional Amberjack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Middle Grounds<\/strong>: This is the spot for a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip. The Middle Grounds are almost 100 miles offshore and hold some of the best fish in the Gulf: Amberjack, Gag and Scamp Grouper, Red and Vermilion Snapper &ndash; even Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Tuna live here.<\/li>\n<\/ul><h2 id=\"when-to-go-fishing-in-clearwater\">When to Go Fishing in Clearwater<\/h2><table class=\"table table-bordered table-hover\">\n   <thead>\n      <tr>\n         <th>Species<\/th>\n         <th>Jan<\/th>\n         <th>Feb<\/th>\n         <th>Mar<\/th>\n         <th>Apr<\/th>\n         <th>May<\/th>\n         <th>Jun<\/th>\n         <th>Jul<\/th>\n         <th>Aug<\/th>\n         <th>Sep<\/th>\n         <th>Oct<\/th>\n         <th>Nov<\/th>\n         <th>Dec<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n   <\/thead>\n   <tbody>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Gag Grouper<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Black Grouper<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Goliath Grouper<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>King Mackerel<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Sharks<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n\t  <tr>\n         <td><strong>Snappers<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Snook<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Closed<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Tarpon<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n   <\/tbody>\n<\/table><p>We&#8217;ve given you an idea of what you can target when, but here&#8217;s a reminder that even when a species&#8217;s season is closed &ndash; like for <strong>Snook<\/strong>, for example &ndash; the catch-and-release fishing can be great. <\/p><p>It&#8217;s a similar story when it comes to <strong>Goliath Grouper<\/strong> and <strong>Tarpon<\/strong>. These creatures are <strong>catch-and-release only<\/strong> in the Sunshine State. However, you won&#8217;t want to miss out on the chance to test your skills when the Silver Kings show up in <strong>spring<\/strong>.<\/p><p>When it comes to the best times to target some fish further out&#8230; You can target most <strong>Snapper<\/strong> and <strong>Shark<\/strong> species throughout <strong>summer<\/strong>, while <strong>Mackerel<\/strong> have two runs in <strong>late spring<\/strong> <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">and<strong>&nbsp;early<\/strong><\/span><strong> fall<\/strong>. Want to try bottom fishing for Groupers? As we mentioned, <strong>Goliaths<\/strong> must be released whenever you come, but other species peak in winter. Go <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">after<strong>&nbsp;Red<\/strong><\/span> and <strong>Scamp Groupers<\/strong> from <strong>November through Februar<\/strong>y, just bear in mind that some species are off-limits in deeper waters in February and March.<\/p><h3 id=\"clearwater-fishing-tournaments\">Clearwater Fishing Tournaments<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151335\/Clearwater-Fishing-Tournaments-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man holding a fishing rod, while sitting on a boat, the rod is bent from the strain of reeling in a big fish.\" class=\"wp-image-11544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151335\/Clearwater-Fishing-Tournaments-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151335\/Clearwater-Fishing-Tournaments-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151335\/Clearwater-Fishing-Tournaments-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151335\/Clearwater-Fishing-Tournaments-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151335\/Clearwater-Fishing-Tournaments-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>For most people, fighting big fish is enough of a challenge. If you want even more excitement, a host of fishing tournaments are held around Clearwater each year. Most are organized by <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/oldsaltfishing.org\/fishing-tournaments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Old Salt Fishing Foundation<\/a>, which has been going for over 50 years and now runs competitions throughout the Clearwater-St. Petersburg area.<\/p><p>Old Salt&#8217;s most prestigious event is the Loop Billfish Tournament, held each August. This is a catch-and-release, winner-takes-all event. Closer to shore but no less competitive are the King of the Beach Kingfish Tournaments. There&#8217;s a spring and fall edition, with valuable payouts.<\/p><p>Prefer to fish from shore? You get not two, but three chances to take part in the Seawall Tournament. There&#8217;s also a kids&#8217; tournament in May, a ladies&#8217; tournament in June, and an inshore challenge in January. Whenever you visit, chances are there&#8217;s a competition going on somewhere.<\/p><h2 id=\"clearwater-fishing-regulations\">Clearwater Fishing Regulations<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1011\" height=\"758\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14135109\/Fishing-regulations-Clearwater-FL.jpg\" alt='An infographic including a vector of a boat, the FishingBooker logo, the state flag of Florida, and text stating \"Clearwater, FL Fishing Regulations: What You Need to Know\" against a blue background' class=\"wp-image-45697\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14135109\/Fishing-regulations-Clearwater-FL.jpg 1011w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14135109\/Fishing-regulations-Clearwater-FL-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14135109\/Fishing-regulations-Clearwater-FL-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14135109\/Fishing-regulations-Clearwater-FL-150x112.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1011px) 100vw, 1011px\" \/><\/figure><p>You don&#8217;t need a permit to fish aboard a charter or licensed fishing pier, such as Pier 60. If you&#8217;re fishing from shore, on a kayak, or on a private boat, you need a Florida fishing license for anyone aged 16 or over. There are a few exceptions to this, which we&#8217;ve dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/florida-fishing-license\/\">an entire article<\/a> to already.<\/p><p>Talking of licenses, there&#8217;s one thing you should be aware of if you&#8217;re going on a charter. Captains in the Gulf of Mexico need a special federal permit to fish more than 9 miles offshore. These are hard to come by, so not everybody has them. If you want to catch big Red Snapper or other offshore species, make sure your charter is federally licensed.<\/p><p>Lastly, there are a few closed seasons you should keep in mind. As we mentioned above, special regulations are in place to help inshore fisheries recover. Snook are catch-and-release-only until September, while Redfish and Seatrout are protected until June. These closed seasons may be extended, so check with the <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/myfwc.com\/fishing\/saltwater\/recreational\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FWC<\/a> if you&#8217;re unsure.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"clearwater-fishing-faqs\">Clearwater Fishing FAQs<\/h2>\n<div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2\" class=\"fbgb-faq-block aligncenter fbgb-faq-style-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-container\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"0\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-0\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Is Clearwater good for fishing?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-0\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Yes. Clearwater is a great for fishing. The main reasons to choose Clearwater as your fishing destination are diverse fisheries, variety of fish species, and year-round angling opportunities.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"1\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-1\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Can you fish at Clearwater Beach?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-1\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Clearwater Beach boasts excellent shore fishing opportunities and you can target species such as Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel, but casting is primarily reserved for piers or parks. The beach is quite popular among beachgoers and it\u2019s almost impossible to cast from a safe distance, so your best bet are either Pier 60 or Sand Key Park.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"2\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-2\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">What fish are biting in Clearwater?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-2\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Clearwater is home to a wide range of trophy and game fish. The most popular species are Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, Tarpon, Snappers, Groupers, Spanish and King Mackerel, and Sharks. If you venture far offshore you can also catch Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"3\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-3\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Are there Great White Sharks in Clearwater?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-3\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Clearwater is popular Shark destination and the most commonly reported Sharks are Bonnethead, Hammerhead, and Bull. But, it\u2019s not uncommon to see Great White Sharks, too. However, they\u2019re mostly spotted further from the shore in the Gulf and usually during their migration to the cooler waters.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"4\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-4\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">Where to fish in Clearwater?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fda5a716cd2-item-4\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>One of the best things about fishing in Clearwater is that you\u2019ll have plenty of spots to choose from, but these are the best starting points depending on your preferred fishing style: Pier 60 for casting from the shore, Hurricane Pass for kayak angling, and Middle Grounds for big game and deep sea fishing pursuits aboard a charter boat.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is Clearwater good for fishing?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Clearwater is a great for fishing. The main reasons to choose Clearwater as your fishing destination are diverse fisheries, variety of fish species, and year-round angling opportunities.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you fish at Clearwater Beach?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Clearwater Beach boasts excellent shore fishing opportunities and you can target species such as Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel, but casting is primarily reserved for piers or parks. The beach is quite popular among beachgoers and it&rsquo;s almost impossible to cast from a safe distance, so your best bet are either Pier 60 or Sand Key Park.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What fish are biting in Clearwater?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Clearwater is home to a wide range of trophy and game fish. The most popular species are Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, Tarpon, Snappers, Groupers, Spanish and King Mackerel, and Sharks. If you venture far offshore you can also catch Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there Great White Sharks in Clearwater?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Clearwater is popular Shark destination and the most commonly reported Sharks are Bonnethead, Hammerhead, and Bull. But, it&rsquo;s not uncommon to see Great White Sharks, too. However, they&rsquo;re mostly spotted further from the shore in the Gulf and usually during their migration to the cooler waters.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where to fish in Clearwater?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"One of the best things about fishing in Clearwater is that you&rsquo;ll have plenty of spots to choose from, but these are the best starting points depending on your preferred fishing style: Pier 60 for casting from the shore, Hurricane Pass for kayak angling, and Middle Grounds for big game and deep sea fishing pursuits aboard a charter boat.\"}}]}<\/script><h2 id=\"clear-water-big-fish-and-loads-of-fun\">Clear Water, Big Fish, and Loads of Fun<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151333\/Clearwater-FL-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A view along the shoreline at Clearwater Beach, FL, with hotels in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-11548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151333\/Clearwater-FL-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151333\/Clearwater-FL-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151333\/Clearwater-FL-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151333\/Clearwater-FL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151333\/Clearwater-FL-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Fishing in Clearwater can mean something different to a dozen anglers. To many, it&#8217;s about exploring shallow seagrasses and remote bayous. For others, it&#8217;s reeling in huge, tasty reef fish. Some even journey to the heart of the Gulf in search of big game monsters. Whatever you&#8217;re after, you&#8217;ll find it here in spades, with some stunning views to make things even more special.<\/p><p><em>Have you ever been fishing in Clearwater? How did you do it, and what did you catch? Tell us your stories or drop us a question in the comments below. We&#8217;re always happy to talk fish!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Clearwater, FL is a prime example of what makes Florida&#8217;s west coast great: white sandy beaches, warm seas, and an endless mix of productive fisheries. While fishing in Clearwater, you can explore shallow bayous or visit remote reefs. Choose between the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay. Wherever you go, you&#8217;ll find plenty of fish waiting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":11549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1472],"tags":[357,780,359,340,398,347,417],"class_list":["post-11526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-where-to-fish","tag-bottom-fishing","tag-clearwater","tag-fishing-without-a-boat","tag-florida","tag-gulf-of-mexico","tag-inshore-fishing","tag-tampa-bay"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Clearwater Fishing: The Complete Guide (Updated 2022)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-clearwater-complete-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Clearwater Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fishing in Clearwater: - Top spots &amp; species - How to fish (charter fishing, deep sea fishing, shore fishing) - When to come | For beginners and pros\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-clearwater-complete-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FishingBooker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FishingBooker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-12-10T14:47:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-08T12:21:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2019\/12\/14151331\/Clearwater-Florida-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Albert\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Albert\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:video\" content=\"http:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/iframe\/fypiaz5ooc\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:video:type\" content=\"text\/html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:video:duration\" content=\"408\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:video:width\" content=\"960\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:video:height\" content=\"540\" \/>\n<meta property=\"ya:ovs:adult\" content=\"false\" \/>\n<meta property=\"ya:ovs:upload_date\" content=\"2019-12-10T14:47:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"ya:ovs:allow_embed\" content=\"true\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Clearwater Fishing: The Complete Guide (Updated 2022)","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-clearwater-complete-guide\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Clearwater Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026","og_description":"Fishing in Clearwater: - 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