Clearwater Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Clearwater Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Clearwater

Scott Flinn
Bradenton, Florida
Reported: 7 months ago

Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.

Scott Flinn Bradenton, Florida Reported: 7 months ago

Lots of snook redfish and trout in the bay. Starting to see some tarpon show up. Offshore it's been too windy to get out there but there is Cobia and kingfish here now.

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Drew Brophy
Ruskin, Florida
Reported: 7 months ago

I've been getting lots of snook, trout and grouper.

Drew Brophy Ruskin, Florida Reported: 7 months ago

I've been getting lots of snook, trout and grouper.

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Sebastian Shindel
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 7 months ago

Snook fishing has been on fire!!! Fishing docks around the evening has been the best time to hook a big one👍🏼

Sebastian Shindel Tampa, Florida Reported: 7 months ago

Snook fishing has been on fire!!! Fishing docks around the evening has been the best time to hook a big one👍🏼

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Ray Culver
Seminole, Florida
Reported: 7 months ago

Ray Culver Seminole, Florida Reported: 7 months ago

The redfish bite in Tampa Bay right now is absolutely on fire—arguably the best it’s been in the last three years. Anglers are reporting strong numbers of slot-sized reds, and even some overslot bruisers showing up around the mangroves, oyster bars, and grass flats. The water temps have warmed just enough to get them feeding aggressively, especially on moving tides. What’s really exciting is the consistency. It’s not just a few hot spots—it’s bay-wide. From the flats near Weedon Island to the mangroves of Cockroach Bay and the spoil islands around Fort De Soto, redfish are cruising in solid schools again. Live bait like pinfish and greenbacks are working well, but artificials like gold spoons, paddletails, and topwaters early morning are getting crushed too. This kind of action hasn’t been seen since before some of the red tide issues, so local anglers are pumped. It’s a good sign for the health of the fishery and definitely a moment worth taking advantage of if you’re fishing Tampa Bay right now.

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Dillon Arsenault
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 8 months ago

Dillon Arsenault St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 8 months ago

Groupers have been chewing consistently, and they are eating everything right now—cut bait, live bait, and artificials. Speckled trout have made a comeback in the bay area, and we are seeing a lot of overslots more consistently every day! Good eating meat in the box! They are eating live pinfish, shrimp, and white bait like they have never seen them before. Big black drums are showing up in good numbers on the bridges, and they are slamming the artificial and cut crabs. The snook and redfish are getting back to their normal spring patterns of eating cut bait, white bait, and pinfish! the bite at night is just as good, if not better, then the daytime bite when it starts to warm up 🎣

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Dillon Arsenault
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 8 months ago

Dillon Arsenault St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 8 months ago

Groupers have been chewing consistently, and they are eating everything right now—cut bait, live bait, and artificials. Speckled trout have made a comeback in the bay area, and we are seeing a lot of overslots more consistently every day! Good eating meat in the box! They are eating live pinfish, shrimp, and white bait like they have never seen them before. Big black drums are showing up in good numbers on the bridges, and they are slamming the artificial and cut crabs. The snook and redfish are getting back to their normal spring patterns of eating cut bait, white bait, and pinfish! the bite at night is just as good , if not better then the daytime bite when it starts to warm up 🎣

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Dillon Arsenault
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 8 months ago

Dillon Arsenault St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 8 months ago

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Dillon Arsenault
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 8 months ago

Dillon Arsenault St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 8 months ago

Groupers have been chewing consistently, and they are eating everything right now—cut bait, live bait, and artificials. Speckled trout have made a comeback in the bay area, and we are seeing a lot of overslots more consistently every day! Good eating meat in the box! They are eating live pinfish, shrimp, and white bait like they have never seen them before. Big black drums are showing up in good numbers on the bridges, and they are slamming the artificial and cut crabs. The snook and redfish are getting back to their normal spring patterns of eating cut bait, white bait, and pinfish! the bite at night is just as good , if not better then the daytime bite when it starts to warm up 🎣

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★★★★★
Had the best fishing experience with Brad and Ben put us right on the fish
Justin V. | December 2, 2025

Trip: Clearwater Offshore Reefs & Wrecks
★★★★★
Fantastic experience with Ethan. Professional operation that got us in to a lot of fish!
Daniel M. | December 1, 2025

Trip: 4-6 Hr Inshore Trip
★★★★★
Had an amazing day on the water with Captain Joe! His deep knowledge of local fishing and boating made the trip so fun. Highly recommend his charter for a great day out!
Dan E. | November 27, 2025

Trip: 4 Hour Trip Inshore
★★★★★
Best trip ever, two of us are around 80 . He work well with us cought lost of fish.
Harry D. | November 26, 2025

Trip: Clearwater Nearshore - 22’ Dusky
★★★★★
Wonderful day on the water!! Very family friendly!!
Donna M. | November 26, 2025

Trip: Redington Shores Nearshore/Offshore
★★★★★
Fantastic day on the water with Captain Alex. I showed up to the dock a little early and everything was already dialed in—the boat was spotless, fully prepared, and stocked with fresh bait he’d caught that morning. Even on a quick half-day trip, we covered multiple areas and switched up tactics, starting with snook along mangroves and docks before moving on to speckled trout and mackerel. Captain Alex struck the perfect balance between being helpful and letting me fish how I wanted. He was always ready to assist, but also encouraged me to bait hooks, handle fish, and stay fully involved. The action stayed steady, and he offered great coaching and insight whenever I had questions. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I’d absolutely book with him again and look forward to getting back out there soon!
Scott S. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Bradenton Classic Inshore
★★★★★
Outstanding experience with Alex and his skills and knowledge. Great day of fishing with everyone in the group catching a ton and we have a great time. Highly recommend!
Mike H. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Bradenton Classic Inshore
★★★★★
We had a great trip Taylor!! He was a great captain! We caught LOTS of fish. Super knowledgeable and such a pleasure to be around. We will definitely be calling him when we come back to Florida again. Top notch experience! Caught mackerel, trout, groupers, Jack fish, lady fish, lizard fish, catfish and we saw a dolphin. Thank you for a great experience!
Laura Q. | November 24, 2025

Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton
★★★★★
Ben gave us a great day out on the water and I learned a lot too! This was the perfect gift for my Dad!
Adam J. | November 23, 2025

Trip: Tarpon Springs Gulf Fishing
★★★★★
Joey put us on the fish almost instantly once we stopped. First drop all 4 poles hit an it was hard to make time for lunch or drinks with our deck hand Linda keeping us lock an loaded with bait and tackle. Great people an a great time! Deff would recommend these guys for any of your fishing trips!
Keith H. | November 22, 2025

Trip: Offshore Fishing 4-8 Hours