? 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!