Redfish and Snook in the backcountry + Grouper are lurking. We have a very unique fishery that allows us to catch quality Gag Grouper in less than 20 ft of water. We talked to a local angler who knows everything there is to know about catching these creatures in the waters of Crystal River. They can be found in tropical and subtropical oceans all around the world, including off the coast of Florida, through the Caribbean to Brazil, and around the Pacific Ocean from California to Japan. 12645 W Fort Island Trail Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. Once you find the school, live pinfish has been a great bait to keep these fish fired up. As December and the year 2022 come to an end; we can't help but savor the incredible year High Octane Charters has had. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. . Sport Fishing Slip Summer time is our rainy season. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. The Gulf Coast of Florida experienced a devastating weather event earlier this month when Hurricane Ian made land fall off the coast of Fort Myers Beach as a near category 5 storm. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. #realsal, God! Tons of redfish, trout, mackeral, and cobia invading the area. Whats so special about our area is the vast amount of natural rocks and ledges that hold these Grouper his time of the year. Fishing Reports Catch Us Book Now (813) 486-4642 Your Ultimate Fishing Adventurein Crystal River Starts Here! 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 Web Design by SteamWorks | Page One Fishing, Your Crystal River Spring 2023 Fishing Guide, Crystal River, Florida, is a prime fishing destination with various species to catch and beautiful, Its Almost Tarpon Time: Catching The Silver King, Its almost that time of year again when Tarpon makes its annual migration to the, February Species to Target on Crystal River Fishing Charters, Crystal River is a renowned fishing destination in Florida, famous for its picturesque waterways and, Crystal River Kayak Fishing: an Unforgettable Adventure, Crystal River, located in the Gulf of Mexico, is a fishing paradise and offers exceptional, Your February Guide to Fishing in Crystal River, Crystal River, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, offers some of the most incredible, Counting Sheepshead: Crystal River Winter Fishing Guide, Crystal River is one of the most active inshore fisheries found anywhere, during any time, Fishing Trip Packages: The Ultimate Florida Getaway, Fishing in Florida is one of the state's most beloved pastimes, and what better way, Top Tips For Sneaking Up On Shallow Water Species, The thrill of stalking your prey in shallow waters is an unmatchable experience for any, If you're looking for a fulfilling and exciting day on the water, look no further, As one of the best spots for world-class fishing, nearly all anglers find it hard, Four Fish To Target During Extreme Winter Tides, Are you looking for an adrenaline-packed fishing experience this winter in Crystal River? Oops, there was an error sending your message. Crystal River Grouper Fishing If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. Happy New Year anglers!! What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in root beer and watermelon red on a 1/4 ounce jig head. Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. found some trout only one keeper. 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. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. The months of October through December make up this peak period. Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. 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. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. Reservations should be made in advance if possible. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. 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. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. Contact Fish Hunter Tours and Captain Bryan Frechette for a great fishing trip. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. 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. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. If so, lets talk about what they look like. Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. Learn where, when, and how to catch fishing in Crystal River, Florida with High Octane Fishing Charters. The most prevalent of these features are rock formations. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. The waters can be choppy on the boat ride to fishing site. Get a bite to eat at Grannies Country Cookin Restaurant. However, in Crystal River Florida it does! 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! This allows them to swallow large prey items like clams and crabs whole. Spring time is coming in Spanish mackerel are coming in. These same big-lipped diving plugs have been all the rage for about three years among anglers trolling for grouper off Florida's Coastal Bend in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Coast of Florida experienced a devastating weather event earlier this month when Hurricane Ian made land fall off the coast of Fort Myers Beach as a near category 5 storm. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? facebook; youtube; instagram; 352-601-1963; . Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. Gag Grouper In Crystal River Happy Holidays Anglers. Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. We went scalloping (not fishing). Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. There are several ways to catch a grouper fish from shore. Great fishery, things heat up in the warmer monthes.. April is stormy and unpredictable. Skip to main content. Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. Really good fighting fish. If you choose to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River on a charter boat, your captain can help you hook the grouper of a lifetime! Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. The time we all look forward to has arrived once again: Grouper time! Pete's charges $5.00 to park on their lot, but that is covered if you book through FishingBooker. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. A beautiful scenery paired with a healthy and thriving habitat provides an amazing estuary for fish such as, When it comes to fishing, the gag grouper can be a challenge. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! You can expect tight lines and great fishing here in crystal river I look forward to seeing you on the water and tight lines. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. Trying to decide what time of year to. Big spinning reels or conventional reels spooled up with a 60-80lbs braid paired with a 60-80lbs leader will give you the upper hand in putting these fish in the boat. 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! Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Welcome to Tarpon Country ladies and gentlemen!!! Why is this cooler weather so special, you may ask? Web Design by SteamWorks | Page One Fishing. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? Located on US Hwy 19, Grannies kitchen has over 2,000 Google reviews and 4.6 stars. More Info on Crystal River Grouper Fishing Charters, 2023 crystalriverguideservice.com All Rights Reserved | Page One Fishing. This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. 2023 FishingBooker.com. Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? A live pinfish on the bottom has given us the best outcomes so far this year. We look forward to hearing from you. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. Trout bite is firing up. There are multiple ways to target these fish all the way from fishing live bait, trolling lures, as well as even casting big plugs and soft plastics swim baits. An unusual water rescue was staged in a Florida river after witnesses reported a discarded fishing lure had somehow pinned a manatee's flipper to its face. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. Grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits. . Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. 352-601-1963 Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. Crystal River, Florida, is a prime fishing destination with various species to catch and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. Now one might think that targeting Grouper in such shallow water would mean catching smaller fish, and while some fish are smaller, some of the largest Grouper we catch throughout the year come from these shallow depths. 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. Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. For many people, freshwater fishing charters in Florida are the main attraction. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. 9340 W Fort Island Trail Grouper can be caught on a variety of lures like spoons and jigs, but they are smart fish, so you need to be strategic about the type of bait you use as well as your choice of equipment. Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Book with Captain Bryan! 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. This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. 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. The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. We found them! Oops, there was an error sending your message. Grouper fish tend to be drawn to structure so they can often be found on reefs or near docks and jetties. Florida Fishing in in October. Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. Take a fishing charter trip on crystal river: Perfect if youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River! ? We went for Scallops. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. Are you visiting Crystal River in the month of June? Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. 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. They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. 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. Crystal River is known for its gorgeous clear waters, but did you know its also a hot spot for grouper fishing? The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing For many people the idea of Gag Grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand. So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. 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? captnickwarrington@gmail.com. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Casey. There are many colors and patterns of grouper fish, but they are all characterized by large scales. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. An egg sinker, swivel, circle hook, and your favorite leader is all you need to make the most effect rig for catching Grouper, the fish finder rig. Theres a reason they call is Red October. Schools of large upper slot and overslot redfish line the outer islands of the St. Martins Keys making for extremely fun sight fishing opportunities in crystal clear water. Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. The largest grouper fish recorded weighed almost 700 pounds! You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. All rights reserved. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. However, they can also be found in temperate environments. . 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. This will help you identify them when its time to go out on your fishing trip. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. 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. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! These fish are hearty and dont give up easily! 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. If you catch a few and then don't see any for a while, don't get discouraged. 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. Gag Grouper and Redfish is the staple of Crystal River Fishing and there is no better time than now to catch multiples of these species in a day with the chance of breaking your personal best on the very next cast. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. Consider using circle hooks when youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. We look forward to. The water is heating up and so is the fishing. I'm a Native Floridian, and have been fishing the Homosassa, Crystal River, and Ozello area all of my life. Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. Reports Winter Time Fishing The Nature Coast Jan 17, 2023 Happy New Year anglers!! | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. Its keeping it. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! Its a lot of fun to get a experience fishing for gag grouper, all while finding the secret places where they like to hide. As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. If youre not an experienced angler and want to catch fish in a short period of time, then the best option for you is going on a fishing charter. February 21, 2023. Generally, 65-80 pound braided main line and 80-100 pound leader gets the job done. 352-601-1963 That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. 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. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. Make sure to know what your going for and the season that is legal for your choice of catch. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Great weather and great fishing. 8000 sized spinning reels spooled with 65-80 pound braid and 80 pound leader is what you need to get these fish in the boat. The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. The action is a little . Pinfish are very good eating fish and are often caught using fishing lines and hooks. Email Address: 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. Contact fishing booker thay no who tofix you up with and the guided we have met are straight shooters, Ask your Captain - they know the area and the best catch for the time of year you visit, Bring a jacket if you are fishing in the am , gets cold early morning , warms up nicely mid morning.