re: Clearwater, FL shore/bay fishing

I live just south in Madeira Beach. Just a couple tips for OP.

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Flats in bays are good when water is moving.

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Not always true especially this time of year. Reds are killing it right now at slack tide. Easy fishing especially at low tide when you see them tailing and following the mullet schools. Trout are still mushy. Need cooler water to firm up the meat.

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Live fish trump shrimp there.

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Very true until November-December when the bait schools leave. Winter fishing is all about the shrimps. However if you can get some live "select" shrimp right now I would free line them in any pass on outgoing tide for 40"+ snook. You will need a snook stamp to keep and fish need to be in slot.

Last thing OP. Clearwater was ground zero for the 100 million gallon sewage dump. As of last week the beaches there still had warnings up for bacteria and red tide. Come south to Indian Rocks or Redington Shores if you want to beach fish. There are some pretty famous fishing spots in both. Just a bit further south at Johns Pass the tarpon are still there and people are catching some big ones. Huge swim baits or a tiny pink/green crappie jig are killing it. If you hook one and are under geared then prepare to be spooled.