The mackerel bite was on ? Its that time of year again where anglers from all over the world descend onto the flats of Crystal River and Homosassa looking to accomplish one goal/life long quest: CATCH A BIG ASS TARPON ON FLY! With water temps in the 70's fishing in 10-30' of water has been very good and as it continues to cool off we only expect it to get better. The gag groupers mouth can also open up wider than most other fish because it has muscles that allow it to expand and contract. Crystal River, Florida, is a prime fishing destination with various species to catch and beautiful scenery to enjoy. There are some species that can grow quite large. You dont have to buy a fishing boat or buy fishing gear. For most people, moderate intake of mercury in fish is not a concern, but you do want to be aware of what youre putting in your body, especially if you eat grouper frequently. Either use SPF 50 sunscreen or wear long shirt/pants. However, in Crystal River Florida it does! What to expect on your upcoming charter? captnickwarrington@gmail.com. ? With temperatures averaging in the low to mid-50's at times, the fish have been less aggressive than normal. Reports | Crystal River Fly Fishing The action is a little . Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Meanwhile, gag grouper fish are known for their large mouths that give them a wide gape when feeding. Casey is a god, basically the best fisherman ever. Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. Are you ready to hook some gag grouper? Keep it up. Crystal River, FL 34429. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper and Redfish | Crystal River Fishing They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. Why Fishing in Crystal River, FL is One of the , Crystal River Fishing Reports: May Recap and Wh, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. #realsal, God! Grouper - Reel Florida Fishing Charters These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Crystal River Grouper Fishing All of the great guides here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters hope that 2022 was a prosperous year for everyone and we wish all of you the very best going into 2023. Looking for an Orvi, Shout out to my boy Casey Males for knocking out s, Another great day of fly fishing with my main man, This gorgeous view will becoming up For Sale very, Great Day fly fishing the Backcountry of Crystal R, One of my top 10 guiding moments!! When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. Best of all, its always open and ready to welcome anglers year-round. The time we have all been looking forward to, cooler weather, has arrived here in Crystal River! facebook; youtube; instagram; 352-601-1963; . Welcome Spring Breakers!!! Sardines and threadfin herring are a good option if live bait isn't available. When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? Great fishery, things heat up in the warmer monthes.. April is stormy and unpredictable. The weather this year has provided challenges and opportunities to change up our tactics and find fish in places where they maybe wouldnt have been in a normal" season. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Email Address: The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . I honestly cant say that I blame those fun loving beachgoers for wanting to soak up some sun during the spring break season here in Florida. You can expect great red fishing especially in the early mornings and late afternoons, live bait and top waters have been a few key baits to get the job done. If youre thinking about heading out on the water to catch one, be sure to come along with Crystal River Sport Fishing! Redfish, Snook, Speckled Trout, and Gag Grouper are all biting well this time of year, and the weather is usually cooperative, with sunny days and mild temperatures. Sport Fishing Slip Some days we start by locating the fish with large chunks of mullet strategically placed all along the mangrove island bank, once we find the fish we hone in on that location and get to Catching. We look forward to. With the Thanksgiving holiday on our doorstep and Christmas right around the corner many families are planning their annual family fishing trips to the Nature Coast and wondering what the action has been like. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. Skip to main content. Drink water!! No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! It is a beautiful, natural, rural area. One thing that makes our area special is the abilty to cast and troll for these fish. Redfish and Snook in the backcountry + Grouper are lurking. Check out the May fishing report for Crystal River Fishing, offering insight on what's biting now! 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. Though there are multiple species of grouper fish, they all have large, thick bodies and wide mouths. Casey. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. Battle some of the hardest fighting fish in Florida all while experiencing the beauty of the Nature Coast on your guided fishing trip. The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Lost of options around the "millions" of islands and offshore rock piles.. Pete's Pier is a great place to launch from and Hampton Inn and Plantation On Crystal River are very close by. The water is beautiful but it is hot out so come prepared for lots of heat and sun. If you're looking to charter a Florida flats fishing guide, I hope to hear from you soon. John. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. But just off its shores is a series of freshwater springs that attract numerous different species of fish from all over the Gulf Coast every year. But it is worth it to find the fish! A live pinfish on the bottom has given us the best outcomes so far this year. See what fish are biting now in Crystal River and find out where to catch them. When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! Its a very accessible place with plenty of different fish species, and its always an exciting time. All of the great guides here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters hope that 2022 was a prosperous year for everyone and we wish all of you the very best going into 2023. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. It is relatively easy to identify grouper fish. This can cause you to miss the fish. They tend to stay close to the bottom where there is plenty of cover. Be sure to lock down the drag and hold on tight as these fish will give it everything they got to get you down in the rocks. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. Usually those words are the precursor for a story of struggles or How many of you enjoy a nice warm cup of coffee to get you going before you start the day? Exploring the Benefits of Crystal River Fishing Charters: The Top Reasons to Book Now, Snapper Fishing in 2023: What to Expect from Crystal River, FL, Where, When, and How: Catching Fish in Crystal River. open menu Crystal River Sport Fishing Sport Fishing Slip 12645 W Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 Map/Directions (813) 486-4642 captjaycemassaro@gmail.com Hours Always Open Reviews Book Fishing Charter Follow us on. Looking for an Orvi, Shout out to my boy Casey Males for knocking out s, Another great day of fly fishing with my main man, This gorgeous view will becoming up For Sale very, Great Day fly fishing the Backcountry of Crystal R, One of my top 10 guiding moments!! Offering up to date fishing tips, scalloping strategies, productive areas and hot baits. We will be back., Irene Rubin Fort worth, Texas Great Guide- Great Fishing, Matt A. from Kill Devil Hills, NC I mean, capt. Crystal River, FL 34429. INCREDIBLE!!! Its 2023 , and the new year is starting right with inshore and offshore action.Our water temps have been colder than average. Looking to go fishing in Crystal River in January? Grouper fishing in Crystal River is typically done by bottom fishing with live bait, and the best time to fish for grouper is during the cooler months. Book a Fishing Charter Trip Today with High Octane Fishing Charters. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. Summer time is our rainy season. The best Grouper fishing found along Crystal River and Homosassa can be found along the shallow waters of our "Foul Area" also known as the Old Bombing Range. The best Grouper fishing found along Crystal River and Homosassa can be found along the shallow waters of our Foul Area also known as the Old Bombing Range. Summer time mangrove snapper fishing is always a target to keep the rods bent free lining live shrimp in 10-20 feet you can expect mangroves from 2-5lbs along with grunts, hogfish and the occasional grouper. However, the reward has been well worth it for anglers willing to bundle up and put in the time. While your selection of fishing hooks is a personal choice, a circle hook can leverage your grouper fishing experience. The most prevalent of these features are rock formations. This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. Trout bite is firing up. Over time the constant bombardment of dropping these heavy dummy bombs created large areas of scattered craters that have become perfect hiding areas for hungry Grouper. Some reservations may require a deposit. When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. My go-to rod and reel is be either a Daiwa BG MQ or Saltist MQ 8000 paired with a Fitzgerald Fishing Stunner HD 74 Extra Heavy. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. This allows them to swallow large prey items like clams and crabs whole. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. Usually, between 8 and 30 feet of water, these structures provide habitat for baitfish, other species (snapper and grunts for example), and provide ample ambush points for gags to hide in. If you are itching to hook a gag grouper or 10, one of the best ways to begin is by going on a fishing charter in Crystal River. In fact, it has a slightly sweet taste and it has a texture that is easy to work with, even if you overcook it. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Should You Go Fishing in Crystal River in January. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The snook bite continues to stay really strong on the hard incoming tides on the outside points using live bait and fast moving weedless jerkbaits. This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. It is also great to absorb dressings and marinades. And good to eat. Crankin' Up Grouper | Bass Pro Shops Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. Fishing Reports - Homosassa Fishing Charters | Crystal River Fishing All rights reserved. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Charters Reservations should be made in advance if possible. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing - High Octane Fishing In addition to fishing for grouper in Crystal River, check out the following ideas for things to do this month: Grouper is an amazing fish, and catching one is a feat. I always tell my clients the first three cranks are the most important, if you can get three cranks, most of the time you already have that fish coming to the boat. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Make sure to know what your going for and the season that is legal for your choice of catch. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 - High Octane Fishing The speckled sea trout bite has been great the red fish are moving out to the outer islands wanting to feed plenty of sheep pad and mangrove snapper on the rock piles. Fishing the many rock piles that line the foul area with large Rapala f18 Swimming Plugs has also shown to be a great way to get these hard fighting fish to bite in tough conditions. Gag grouper are an ambush predator that loves to hide inside of structure. Most of our Grouper Fishing is done anywhere from 8-30 of water. Sign me up as a fan Im often asked how we choose the guides that work with us here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters. We often see dolphins, manatees and tons of different species of birds, including white pelicans. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. Thats why so many people decide to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River! What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. Come prepared for a strong swim. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and Homosassa, was spared, as Have you ever been to one of those large family gatherings where one of the grandparents or great parents is talking about a family member only to throw the words Bless His Heart into the story? All you have to do is pay for the charter. Happy Holidays Anglers. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. Are you visiting Crystal River in the month of June? He or she will help you set up the gear, give you tips on how to catch fish. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 We pair these up with 7' Daiwa Harrier X rods to land these beasts. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. Why is this cooler weather so special, you may ask? Really good fighting fish. But if youre planning to go during the colder months, keep in mind that most freshwater species are seasonal. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. Had an amazing family on the boat today. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! Offering up to date, strategies, productive areas and hot baits. Pete's charges $5.00 to park on their lot, but that is covered if you book through FishingBooker. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. Manatee gets flipper hooked to its face in Florida river | Miami Herald The captain can also offer bait if needed. Grouper is a delicious fish. Let's start by saying grouper can be caught 365 days a year out of Crystal River, but the absolute best bite occurs during the fall as these large grouper push in closer to shore as our waters cool. Captain, Owner, and Fishing Guide At Florida Fishing Adventures in Crystal River, Florida. You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. If so,, Preparing For Backcountry Winter Fishing In Crystal River, Crystal River offers some of the best fishing in Florida, and winter is a great. We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. Don't be affraid to try something new, but at the same time don't totally give up what brought you success to begin with. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. Well as the old saying goes for every mile you venture off our coast it only gets a foot deeper.. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Whether you're an inshore or offshore angler, there are incredible opportunities to catch some serious "dinners." The highlight, though, without a doubt, is chasing down shallow water grouper. Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. February 21, 2023. How shallow one may ask? Looking for the best time of year to fish in Crystal River? We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? Sport Fishing Slip These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. 2023 FishingBooker.com. Its keeping it. This allows you to easily release the fish and improves the chance that it will live. Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. S from Cincinatii, OH Had a great time on the water and caught fish for dinner. We look forward to hearing from you. Our numerous shallow water rock piles make our area arguably the best place to grouper fish in the state of Florida. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. In less than 20 feet of water, gag grouper can be found patrolling the inshore waters of Crystal River. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing - Florida Fishing & Hunting No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. Crystal River is a pristine coastal fishery that is known for epic battles with snook and tarpon, houses many of the most sought-after inshore species anywhere, but it also holds one of the most unique experiences found along Florida's coast - Shallow water grouper fishing! I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! They can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean, as well as here in Crystal River, Florida. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. There is something to do for everyone in our area. Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. One of the notable considerations of eating grouper is its mercury grade. Oops, there was an error sending your message. While most anglers may think that targeting Grouper typically requires a long run offshore to deeper waters, many would be surprised to learn that the Nature Coast of Florida is the epicenter for targeting Gag Grouper in shallow water.