Florida Fishing Adventures. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. We went for Scallops. More Info on Crystal River Grouper Fishing Charters, 2023 crystalriverguideservice.com All Rights Reserved | Page One Fishing. I'm a Native Floridian, and have been fishing the Homosassa, Crystal River, and Ozello area all of my life. These fish are hearty and dont give up easily! Please call for full rate and reservation information. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. Though there are multiple species of grouper fish, they all have large, thick bodies and wide mouths. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. Grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits. Thats the word that comes to mind as I try my best to describe the latest fishing action here along the Nature Coast. S from Cincinatii, OH Had a great time on the water and caught fish for dinner. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? 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. This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. If you're looking to charter a Florida flats fishing guide, I hope to hear from you soon. Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! However, the inshore fishery here in Crystal River does just that. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. I love fishing the Nature Coast. This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. Oops, there was an error sending your message. Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. found some trout only one keeper. Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. Generally, 65-80 pound braided main line and 80-100 pound leader gets the job done. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Get a bite to eat at Grannies Country Cookin Restaurant. February 21, 2023. What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. It is relatively easy to identify grouper fish. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. 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. All rights reserved. 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? 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. Book with Captain Bryan! Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. Located on US Hwy 19, Grannies kitchen has over 2,000 Google reviews and 4.6 stars. We pair these up with 7' Daiwa Harrier X rods to land these beasts. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. 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. You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. INCREDIBLE!!! We talked to a local angler who knows everything there is to know about catching these creatures in the waters of Crystal River. Bring a hat and sunblock and a good attitude, there's gold here!!! Check out the May fishing report for Crystal River Fishing, offering insight on what's biting now! The odd predicament left the docile . All rights reserved. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? 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. 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? Sport Fishing Slip Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 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. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. I want to be just like capt Casey when I grow up., Casey Russell is a highly experienced guide. Web Design by SteamWorks | Page One Fishing. As the water temperature starts to drop into the low 70s, the Grouper start to swim (migrate) their way east. These young anglers put on a fishing cli. 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. ? Gag grouper are an ambush predator that loves to hide inside of structure. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. Its keeping it. 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. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. 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. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. 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. Sign me up as a fan Im often asked how we choose the guides that work with us here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters. 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. 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. Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. It is a beautiful, natural, rural area. The water is heating up and so is the fishing. In fact, it has a slightly sweet taste and it has a texture that is easy to work with, even if you overcook it. Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. It is also great to absorb dressings and marinades. Why is this cooler weather so special, you may ask? Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 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. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . 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. We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. We went scalloping (not fishing). Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. We found them! Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. 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. 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. 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? Casey is a god, basically the best fisherman ever. Nick Warrington Sep 16, 2021 A look into the best grouper fishing in the state of Florida You've probably seen it on TV or you've seen it on YouTube: shallow water grouper fishing puts Crystal River on the map. Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. 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. 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 Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. Contact Fish Hunter Tours and Captain Bryan Frechette for a great fishing trip. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? However, they can also be found in temperate environments. Some species can grow quite large in fact, the largest recorded grouper fish was almost 700 pounds! It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. Contact us today with questions. 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. Casey. Its 2023 , and the new year is starting right with inshore and offshore action.Our water temps have been colder than average. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing For many people the idea of Gag Grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. 9340 W Fort Island Trail 12645 W Fort Island Trail The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. 352-601-1963 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. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. Happy New Year anglers!! Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. 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. This allows you to easily release the fish and improves the chance that it will live. If so, lets talk about what they look like. What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. 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! 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. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Grouper fish tend to be drawn to structure so they can often be found on reefs or near docks and jetties. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. There are some species that can grow quite large. 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. 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. 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. A live pinfish on the bottom has given us the best outcomes so far this year. The captain can also offer bait if needed. We will be back., Irene Rubin Fort worth, Texas Great Guide- Great Fishing, Matt A. from Kill Devil Hills, NC I mean, capt. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. For many people, freshwater fishing charters in Florida are the main attraction. Its hard to believe that May is already in the rearview mirror. 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. Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. 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. If you catch a few and then don't see any for a while, don't get discouraged. June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. 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. You wont be disappointed, 12645 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429. These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. When you use the right approach with circle hooks, they will hook the grouper at the corner of the mouth. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! The most prevalent of these features are rock formations. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. Trout bite is firing up. While your selection of fishing hooks is a personal choice, a circle hook can leverage your grouper fishing experience. Continue reading. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. Fresh Fishing Reports from 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. 352-601-1963 Florida Fishing in in October. As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. Are you new to fishing for gag grouper? Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Our numerous shallow water rock piles make our area arguably the best place to grouper fish in the state of Florida. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. facebook; youtube; instagram; 352-601-1963; . Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. Great fishery, things heat up in the warmer monthes.. April is stormy and unpredictable. Water is nice and warm in the summer. 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 FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend.