Looking to charter in Clearwater Beach area in November

LoveTheSea · 10-31-2009, 01:28 PM

My wife and I are looking for a reputable charter in the Clearwater Beach area around November 13. Suggestions are appreciated.

Prop Blast · 11-02-2009, 08:31 PM

Hi,

Welcome to the greater Tampa Bay area -- hope you have a great time!

We have a lot of excellent guides here. I'll have to ask you what kind of fishing do you want to do when you're in Clearwater? Inshore for Redfish, Snook, Speckled Trout, ... or Offshore for Mackerel (King and Spanish), Cobia, Grouper/Snapper, Amberjack, ... ? That will make a huge difference as most guides/captains specialize in one or the other.

My recomendation is for folks coming to the area is to call a local tackle shop that books charters. You call them, tell the tackle shop what you want to do and what your requirements are, and they'll book the trip, calling the local guides that meet your needs. That way you don't chase the guides hoping that their calendar meets with yours.

You can give Tightlines Tackle in Tampa a call. They have a long list of guides they book for. Their number is: (813) 932-4721.

Some guides I've fished with here/know that are excellent are:

Capt Randy Rochelle (offshore) "Islander Charters". (727) 365-3218

Capt Tommy Ziesmann (nearshore) "Action Charters". (727) 432-0355.
http://action-charters.com/index.html

Capt Rodney Martin (inshore)

Capt Jim Lemke (inshore)

Either will take good care of you and if they're booked, will refer you to other good guides.

To help the tackle shop and guide give you the best trip for your money, have some info ready when you call:

1. What your expectations are. Do you want to catch a specific type of fish, say a snook on artificial baits or even a fly, or do you just want to catch fish, species doesn't matter. Some guides are "live bait" guides and that works, but if you're looking to catch a 38" snook on topwater/artificial, you need to let the guide know.

2. Let them know how experienced you are. Most guides here are great with novice anlgers, but frankly, some are not. Some are not good with females -- it just beez that way! If you need a boat with toliet facilities, say so.

Tightlines,

PB

LoveTheSea · 11-03-2009, 05:47 AM

I don't think I will have all of the choices you mention if I really want to catch fish. Most of those fish are migratory and will not likely be there in November. If we want to catch fish, we think we need to chase what it biting, not dictate what we want to catch.

Prop Blast · 11-03-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveTheSea

I don't think I will have all of the choices you mention if I really want to catch fish. Most of those fish are migratory and will not likely be there in November. If we want to catch fish, we think we need to chase what it biting, not dictate what we want to catch.

I guess you haven't been here much? The migratory ones are the mackerel, and they're here all November. All the fish I mentioned are realistic targets in the month of Nov.

What you need to decide is what you want to do and how much you want to pay.

PB

LoveTheSea · 11-03-2009, 12:10 PM

I have been told by local tournament anglers that the Tarpon will be long-gone and the Snook should be gone too if the water gets down to normal temperature for November as they migrate out of the area when the water cools. It looks like Redfish is the most likely target. I will not be permitted to target Amberjack as the NOAA Fisheries Service closed Amberjack on 10/19/2009. I want to target what is realistic; what is the best chance of a good bite, accessible, and legal to target. I want a captain with a good personality and good with the ladies since my wife is with me and the price should be customary. We fish.

Prop Blast · 11-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveTheSea

I have been told by local tournament anglers that the Tarpon will be long-gone and the Snook should be gone too if the water gets down to normal temperature for November as they migrate out of the area when the water cools. It looks like Redfish is the most likely target. I will not be permitted to target Amberjack as the NOAA Fisheries Service closed Amberjack on 10/19/2009. I want to target what is realistic; what is the best chance of a good bite, accessible, and legal to target. I want a captain with a good personality and good with the ladies since my wife is with me and the price should be customary. We fish.

LTS,

You need to go back to my original post and just call the tackle shop or contact one of the guides.

I'd disregard the "tournament anglers" advice. While tarpon will not be at their peak in Nov, we have year-round resident tarpon at the bridges -- Just ask Capt Lemke

. As far as AJs go; yes the season is closed on them, but catch & release is always an option and with AJs, that's what most anglers do.

Snook season will still be open and they're readily catchable up through mid Dec. If the water temp stays above 70, they're very active. Right now the water temp during the day is still around 80-82. Again, they're resident fish.

Nov is the start of prime grouper season. Nothing more to say.

Snapper fishing will vary due to water conditions and temps. Yellowtail are gone, but Mangos and Reds (catch & release) will still be here.

My advice is unchanged -- make the calls and answer the questions, you'll have a great time.

PB

gordo35 · 11-03-2009, 06:37 PM

Prop Blast knows things

Listen to him

LoveTheSea · 11-03-2009, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the advice, I will make the calls.