Clearwater Flats Fishing

From shallow grass flats fishing to the bays, Captain Craig's flats fishing charters are among the best in the area. His flats charters include taking one to 3 persons to areas such as the grass flats, nearshore, backwaters, and bays along Clearwater and Tarpon Springs and even into Tampa Bay. These flats fishing experiences include casting with artificial or live bait along with traditional & fly fishing with no price disparity between any technique or quarry! Expect to catch snook, redfish, tarpon, mackerel, sharks, cobia, threadfin, & more!

You will be fishing aboard Captain Craigs 21' Backcountry Flats boat equipped with a trolling motor and polling platform which allow Captain Craig to sneak you up on the fish to get the best possible look at catching them! This boat can maneuver the skinny water (hence the name of his charter) to chase down the awesome flats fish like tailing Reds, Snook, and even Tarpon!

Captain Craig will provide almost everything for your flats fishing adventure from rods, reels, tackle, bait, fishing licenses, and even fish cleaning though he does encourage catch and release. All you'll need to bring are some snacks and drinks, your sun protection, and your own fly gear if that's your flavor, but Captain Craig will take care of the rest to ensure you have an epic day out on the water!

Feel free to bring your young ones on this family-friendly trip; Captain Craig is great at getting kids hooked on fishing, and kids under 12 come aboard for free!

They took me under their wings and shared that much-needed knowledge. In 1985 Hurricane Elena took away my favorite fishing pier, and with it, the informal educational sessions he so enjoyed. He moved to later work as a mate on a commercial fishing vessel, but in his spare time, you could only find him fishing the piers and the flats.

Then he met an excellent local fisherman who introduced him to a charter. After learning the finer points of fly fishing and light tackle, he was hooked! His charters holds an IGFA World Record on a fly rod and light gear. Clearly, he has made the backwater estuaries his second home.

“I’ve been in the fishing business for 38 years of those, 23 as a full-time guide. This experience, in my eyes, makes me one of the best charter boat captains in the Clearwater / Tampa Bay area. From 1982 thru 1995 I worked with several different captains on many different vessels. Each of which were the best at their craft.” - Captain Craig