Clearwater’s Best Charter Fishing Guide
Since 1997 Skinny Water Charters has been Clearwater, IRB (Indian Rocks Beach) & Tampa Bay’s top flats fishing charter guide.
Located at 198 Seminole St. Clearwater 33755
Flats Fishing Charter Guide | Tampa Bay, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs
Skinny Water Charters and Capt’ Craig Lahr have been leading the pack with some of the Clearwater areas absolute best flats fishing. Ready to have the fishing adventure of a lifetime? Look no further. From catching huge tarpon in the backwaters to reeling beautiful snook on the grass flats, Skinny Water Charters has you covered!
Recent Reviews
Skinny Water Charters Inshore Fishing of Indian Rocks Beach (IRB) and Clearwater, FL
A lot of great fish. Trout, Red Fish, Grass Grouper and a nice bonnet head for fun. Quality gear, plenty of live bait and an expert guide. Couldn’t ask for more.”
Clearwater to IRB (Indian Rocks Beach) Inshore & Flats Fishing Updates
By Skinny Water Charters boat captain and fishing report author, Captain’ Craig Lahr.
**Updated Weekly**
Back to normal
Now that it's been about 4 weeks since the arctic cold fronts in clearwater FL area. Redfish have finally started to feed. With extreme low water, the Reds have been tailing in potholes where the water is a few inches deeper. Live bait or soft plastic shrimp in dark...
Why Choose Skinny Water Charters?
Flats Fishing Charter Pro
From the shallow grass flats fishing to the bays, our flats fishing charters are among the best in the area. Our flats charters include taking one to four persons to areas such as the grass flats, nearshore, backwaters and bays along Clearwater & Tarpon Springs and even into the Tampa Bay. Our flats fishing experiences include casting with artificial or live bait along with traditional & fly fishing. Expect to catch snook, redfish, tarpon, mackerel, shark, cobia, thredfin, shark & more.
A True Fishing Guide | Clearwater
What’s the difference between a clearwater fishing guide & a charter captain? Anyone can go out and pass a test to get a Captains license. However, not everyone is truly considered a ‘guide’. A is someone who truly knows how to fish the area. From having the right equipment, boat, waterway knowledge to knowing what is biting on a summers morn vs. a winters eve and what bait to use in each scenario. Captain Craig Lahr of Skinny Water Charters is a true, ‘Clearwater Fishing Guide’.
Best Guide/Charter Boat in Clearwater
“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.” Capt’ Craig Lahr, Skinny Water Charters
Click here to learn more what makes Capt’ Craig & Skinny Water Charters the best in the biz.
We know these flats better than any other charter boat around so if your really want to get on the fish, and have the charter fishing adventure of a lifetime without breaking the bank to go offshore, book your charter today with Capt’ Craig Lahr & Skinny Water Charters.
Rates
We offer competitive rates for our flats boat charter fishing service.
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Contact
Ready to book your Clearwater fishing adventure of a lifetime or have other questions?
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Skinny Water Charters
Clearwater & The Tampa Bay Area’s Premier Fishing Charter Boat
Skinny Water Charters has been putting smiles on their guests’ faces since 1997! Owned and operated by Captain Craig Lahr who loves fishing in the beautiful coastal town of Clearwater FL. This year-round destination offers WEST CENTRAL FL some of the most unique fishing including backcountry fishing, nearshore reef and wreck fishing and a large variety of fish species.
Recent Skinny Water Charter Guest Catches in Clearwater, FL
Check out some of our most recent charter boat customers and their catches.
Testimonials
What our recent charter boat fishing clients are saying
“Capt Craig will be my go to guy every time I visit the Tampa and Clearwater area. Knowledgeable and works hard to make sure you have a great trip.
Shared some of his 25 plus years tips and secrets. Showed us a few knots. Used a couple different techniques to make sure we all caught fish. Even cleaned the fish and recommended an inexpensive restaurant to cook them for us.”
Orrie Tucker
“Spent half day fishing with Captain Craig. He was great with my 8 yr old grandson. He was well prepared and knowledgeable. Made it for a great time.”
Rick Bibeau
Hey Captain Craig, thanks again for bringing us on that awesome charter on Thursday. It was the most tarpon action I’ve seen in one day. I hope we get to go on another charter with You and Justin next summer. Thanks Alot!”
Kyle R.
“I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed fishing with you and Justin… Thanks, again, for an incredible morning on the water.”
Jack Walsh
“Keep up the good work and thanks for putting us on the fish!”
Eric & John Anderson, SC
Thanks for a wonderful two days of fishing last week. The Tarpon was incredible. I know some folks up in KY that are excited about the fish! You should be hearing about another trip soon!”
Mark Woolum
The Blog
Skinny Water Charters & Captain Craig Lahr
Back to normal
Now that it's been about 4 weeks since the arctic cold fronts in clearwater FL area. Redfish have finally started to feed. With extreme low water, the Reds have been tailing in potholes where the water is a few inches deeper. Live bait or soft plastic shrimp in dark...
Warming water = Fish
Since the hard freeze of November Inshore fishing has been slow with with chilled water temps from fronts un December and January. Trout fishing from Indian Rocks Beach to Clearwater north to Dunedin is usually a guarantee but it has taken till just recently for a...
Cold weather and water can’t beat experience
With the coldest air coming Christmas Eve day of 40° as high temperature and 20 to 30° low temperatures for the next 4 days is going to create some tough fishing conditions. With all the new fishing charter businesses that opened in 2020 during Covid and being young...
Clearwater to Dunedin
Spotted sea trout are starting to push into the clearwater to St. Joseph Sound region. Mild temperatures have delayed their full migration, as it has in years past. Typically, multiple cold fronts that keep the water temperatures lower, will usher in more of the...
Cooler Waters – More Species
The water has cooled down with the recent fronts in the Clearwater/Stpete FL. Bait has been plentiful, with scaled sardines, thread-fin, shad, lady-fish and blue runners. This has started the near shore to explode with Spanish Mackerel, and their big brother, the King...
Hurricane + cool front = variety
With hurricane Ian gone and bringing lots of rough water and weather and a few cool fronts that have dropped our water temperatures has brought wide variety of species. There are multiple fish species to target from of Indian rocks to clearwater beaches, to the...
Early starts can pay big
From Indian Rocks to Clearwater, August and September can be challenging months to fish. Snook spread out in the the backwaters, passes, and spill ways. The early morning and late afternoon have produced fish from 5 to 12lb but there is always that chance of a 40in....
Hot Weather and Hot Fishing
With our recent hot temperatures and water temps hovering at 90* in the Gulf, and mid 90's on the flats in clearwater, you'd think fishing would be slow. But on the contrary, fishing is just as hot as the weather. Tarpon have been my mainstay. Whether it's in the Gulf...
The Inshore Charter Fishing Trifecta is upon us – Redfish, Snook and Tarpon are all in full swing.
Summer is here and with it the main three targets of anglers coming to this area are all here. Tarpon, Redfish, and Snook are all actively feeding in the region. Now is the time to catch all of these trophies. The Tarpon have shown up as is the norm for this time of...