Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. If youre going on a party boat or a head boat, then you can expect to have a good time with your friends or family. Some reservations may require a deposit. 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. Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. The grouper season here opens on 1 June. Happy New Year anglers!! Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. Make sure to know what your going for and the season that is legal for your choice of catch. 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. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. As the cooler weather starts to set in, fall is upon us. As for the Grouper Fishing here in Crystal River, we have been waiting for the water temperatures to drop and the days to get shorter to push those big gags into shallow water. This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. 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. Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. 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. There are several ways to catch a grouper fish from shore. You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. Are you visiting Crystal River in the month of June? A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. Florida Fishing Adventures. Crystal River, Florida, is a prime fishing destination with various species to catch and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. I love fishing the Nature Coast. However, they can also be found in temperate environments. Crystal River, Florida, makes an excellent choice for charter 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. The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. Trout bite is firing up. The health benefits of this fish include low-fat content, omega-3 fatty acids, high protein, and a lot of vitamins. You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. 9340 W Fort Island Trail Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Once you find the school, live pinfish has been a great bait to keep these fish fired up. . Hard fighters paired with being a delectable table fair make it a fish everyone can enjoy. However, the inshore fishery here in Crystal River does just that. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Typically, fishing the 8-25 foot range October-December allows anglers a chance to land the fish of a lifetime and take home some delicious fillets. Thats why so many people decide to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River! We went scalloping (not fishing). Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Are you ready to hook some gag grouper? As extreme, A private scallop charter in Crystal River, Florida is the perfect activity for a group of friends looking to relax, connect and enjoy some quality time in the beauty of, Fishing & Scalloping Charter PricingGroups larger than 4 (for fishing) and larger than 6 (for scalloping) can be accommodated with another captain(s) if requested. 352-601-1963 Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper. Yes, but be careful of the oyster bars if running your own boat. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". It is relatively easy to identify grouper fish. When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. What to expect on your upcoming charter? Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. 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. The odd predicament left the docile . Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. Should You Go Fishing in Crystal River in January. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. He or she will help you set up the gear, give you tips on how to catch fish. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. Come out with Finders Keepers Charters and try to catch these tasty fish on light to medium tackle either bottom fishing or trolling lipped plugs. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. Tons of redfish, trout, mackeral, and cobia invading the area. Sport Fishing Slip 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? 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? Grouper works in a variety of dishes, including the classic fish sandwich. 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. This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. The action is a little . They are intelligent and fast-moving, so catching them takes some skill. When you use the right approach with circle hooks, they will hook the grouper at the corner of the mouth. 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. We get this question a lot. 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. Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. We talked to a local angler who knows everything there is to know about catching these creatures in the waters of Crystal River. Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. Casey is a god, basically the best fisherman ever. We often see dolphins, manatees and tons of different species of birds, including white pelicans. 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. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. Come along with Captain Jayce on a fishing charter, and get ready to hook the catch of a lifetime. Really good fighting fish. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. Whats so special about our area is the vast amount of natural rocks and ledges that hold these Grouper his time of the year. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Gag Grouper In Crystal River The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. 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. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. A shiny red-and-white fishing plug floated past our boat in the Gulf of Mexico, as we cast for trout on the Steinhatchee grass flats. 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. It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. Sport Fishing Slip Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. At the same time, they are some of the best-tasting fish in the ocean and most do just fine with a cooler full of these two. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. Email Us! Book with Captain Bryan! Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. 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. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. These young anglers put on a fishing cli. Get a bite to eat at Grannies Country Cookin Restaurant. Tight Lines!!! 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. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. Grouper are famously known as Florida's most delicious fish species and of the seventeen different grouper species that are targeted throughout Florida the gag grouper is the most common variety found inhabiting the waters off the Nature Coast. 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. Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. . We got into the trout and found some to take home, then switched gears and went hunting for reds and they delivered! You dont have to buy a fishing boat or buy fishing gear. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. #realsal, God! read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 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. 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. Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. Crystal River, FL 34429. When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. Learn all about the benefits of charter fishing here this time of year. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. 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. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. S from Cincinatii, OH Had a great time on the water and caught fish for dinner. Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. Reservations should be made in advance if possible. 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!! All rights reserved. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. We have a very unique fishery that allows us to catch quality Gag Grouper in less than 20 ft of water. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. Pinfish are very good eating fish and are often caught using fishing lines and hooks. Email Address: If you catch a few and then don't see any for a while, don't get discouraged. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing For many people the idea of Gag Grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand. Contact us today with questions. February 19, 2023. These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. 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. The months of October through December make up this peak period. One thing that makes our area special is the abilty to cast and troll for these fish. 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. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. But it is worth it to find the fish! Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. This is the time of year to start making plans and getting your spot locked in for this fishing opportunity. Trying to decide what time of year to. Mostly considered an offshore species, juvenile gags mature in bays and deeper grass flats close to . We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. 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! Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. Offering up to date fishing tips, scalloping strategies, productive areas and hot baits. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. The largest grouper fish recorded weighed almost 700 pounds! Consider using circle hooks when youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River. Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. I want to be just like capt Casey when I grow up., Casey Russell is a highly experienced guide. The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. 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. We found them! Florida Fishing Adventures. 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 It has high levels of mercury, which can cause problems such as bloody stool, mood swings, memory loss, or muscle weakness. You've probably seen it on TV or you've seen it on YouTube: shallow water grouper fishing puts Crystal River on the map. The gag groupers mouth can also open up wider than most other fish because it has muscles that allow it to expand and contract. Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? This will help you identify them when its time to go out on your fishing trip. 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. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. How awesome would it be to put a Tarpon in the air or land a couple of Snook all before most folks pour their first cup of coffee? Water is nice and warm in the summer. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. Crystal River, FL 34429. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. Come prepared for a strong swim. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper.