The water temps are in the 50’s but the fish are fired up!

Observations from our Inshore Fishing Charters in Clearwater and Tarpon Springs last week. Speckled trout are the star of the show this week for Clearwater and Tampa Bay inshore fishing. The cooler water has concentrated these fish over grass flats, sandy potholes, and deeper channels. Seasonal Pattern Trout feed heavily in winter to maintain energy in cooler temperatures. On sunny days, they push onto shallow grass flats, while on overcast or windy days, they hold in deeper cuts. Bait and Lures A free-lined live shrimp is hard to beat, but soft plastic paddle tails and MirrOlure are also excellent choices. Our Shimano spinning setups make light lure presentations easy and accurate, even when casting into the wind. Local Hotspots: Upper Tampa Bay grass flats Clearwater Harbor spoil islands Dunedin Causeway bridge channel Charter Advantage Booking a Clearwater fishing charter gives you access to productive flats that see less pressure and ensures you have the right bait on hand for changing conditions. From our Blog at TightlinesCharter. you know the rest

Cold fronts are closing in but the trout dont care! Come on out and lets get into rge schools!

2025 Winter fishing in Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tampa Bay is in full swing, and January is prime time for anglers looking to load the cooler with tasty sheepshead while also tangling with hard-fighting redfish. Cooler water temperatures have pushed baitfish into deeper holes and around structure, creating ideal conditions for targeting these species on a Clearwater fishing charter. Where to Find the Fish Sheepshead love structure this time of year. Docks, bridge pilings, and rock jetties are loaded with these stripe-sided bait thieves. Redfish, meanwhile, often school up on sunny afternoons in shallow potholes and around mangrove edges. On our charters, we keep a close eye on the tides, as lower water levels make redfish more predictable and easier to spot. Best Bait and Tackle Live shrimp is king for sheepshead in January. We thread them onto small, strong hooks with just enough weight to get them to the strike zone. For redfish, cut mullet and live pinfish are reliable choices. We exclusively use Shimano spinning rods and reels for their smooth drag systems and durability, which is essential when pulling fish from heavy structure. Tactics for Success Target sheepshead during slower moving tides for better hook-ups. For redfish, approach quietly in shallow water — they can be skittish in the clear winter water. Use fluorocarbon leaders to avoid spooking fish. Why Book a January Charter? Cooler weather means fewer boats on the water, clearer water conditions, and cooperative fish. Whether you’re after a tasty dinner or a photo-worthy catch-and-release redfish, January delivers. From our Blog at TightlinesCharter. you know the rest.

Love this time of year! The water is crystal clear and the fish school up. They can be a little spooky but they are easy to target. Come see whats going on out on the flats! Book your trip today!

Snook seem to be settling into their pattern as they move back inshore. They were pretty aggressive today on the incoming tide smashing bait and a few lures on the mangrove edges. Water clarity in Old Tampa Bay was a little dirty. Saw some nice Tarpon rolling this morning on the drop off at the flats edge.