Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. Crystal River, Florida, is a prime fishing destination with various species to catch and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Crystal River is known for its gorgeous clear waters, but did you know its also a hot spot for grouper fishing? The mackerel bite was on ? Trolling Rapala Xraps or other hard baits across the top of the structure can produce very well by keying in on the Groupers aggression and triggering a reaction strike. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. I'm a Native Floridian, and have been fishing the Homosassa, Crystal River, and Ozello area all of my life. Book with Captain Bryan! Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. 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. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. Email Us! You wont be disappointed, 12645 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429. You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. It is this combination of structure, food, and temperate waters that bring gag grouper into the Crystal River inshore fishery. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? The sun is no joke. These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. Reservations should be made in advance if possible. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. Florida Fishing Adventures. 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. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. This allows you to easily release the fish and improves the chance that it will live. One thing that makes our area special is the abilty to cast and troll for these fish. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . 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. 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. See what fish are biting now in Crystal River and find out where to catch them. 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. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. Email Address: June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. This will help you identify them when its time to go out on your fishing trip. As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. Tons of redfish, trout, mackeral, and cobia invading the area. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. The action is a little . We have a very unique fishery that allows us to catch quality Gag Grouper in less than 20 ft of water. Captain, Owner, and Fishing Guide At Florida Fishing Adventures in Crystal River, Florida. If you are fishing for a large grouper fish, try casting very far out into the water. Casey. The time we have all been looking forward to, cooler weather, has arrived here in Crystal River! Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. You've probably seen it on TV or you've seen it on YouTube: shallow water grouper fishing puts Crystal River on the map. Its keeping it. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Battle some of the hardest fighting fish in Florida all while experiencing the beauty of the Nature Coast on your guided fishing trip. So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. 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. All rights reserved. Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. Should You Go Fishing in Crystal River in January. When you use the right approach with circle hooks, they will hook the grouper at the corner of the mouth. 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. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. Looking to go fishing in Crystal River in January? You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. It is a beautiful, natural, rural area. 9340 W Fort Island Trail 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. 2023 FishingBooker.com. In less than 20 feet of water, gag grouper can be found patrolling the inshore waters of Crystal River. The water is beautiful but it is hot out so come prepared for lots of heat and sun. If youre thinking about heading out on the water to catch one, be sure to come along with Crystal River Sport Fishing! Nice fishing! Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. The time we all look forward to has arrived once again: Grouper time! Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. You can expect tight lines and great fishing here in crystal river I look forward to seeing you on the water and tight lines. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. INCREDIBLE!!! Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. These lures track true straight out of the package and have good enough hooks to handle a quality grouper. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. I love fishing the Nature Coast. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. Oops, there was an error sending your message. 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. 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? These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. 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. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! 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. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. 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. Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Large lipped plugs, jigs, and swimbaits can all be used as long as the hooks are beefy enough to handle the pull of a big grouper. They tend to stay close to the bottom where there is plenty of cover. Get a bite to eat at Grannies Country Cookin Restaurant. This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. Bring a hat and sunblock and a good attitude, there's gold here!!! . Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. Email Address: Crystal River, FL 34429. What to expect on your upcoming charter? 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. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. Happy Holidays Anglers. The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. We will be back., Irene Rubin Fort worth, Texas Great Guide- Great Fishing, Matt A. from Kill Devil Hills, NC I mean, capt. Really good fighting fish. 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. But it is worth it to find the fish! 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. John. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. This can cause you to miss the fish. If you are new to the area, new to inshore grouper fishing, or traveling from afar to come and try your hand at this unique fishing opportunity, a seasoned guide will be key. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. There are others, but these two have the densist population and are the most readily available to target. 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. All rights reserved. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Gag Grouper In Crystal River We look forward to. February 21, 2023. 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. 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. Gag grouper are an ambush predator that loves to hide inside of structure. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 Nick Warrington Oct 26, 2021 Shallow water grouper fishing has been hot! They will take out a prop or lower unit in a heart beat. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. As the water temperature starts to drop into the low 70s, the Grouper start to swim (migrate) their way east. facebook; youtube; instagram; 352-601-1963; . July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. Are you ready to hook some gag grouper? If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. Skip to main content. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. There are many colors and patterns of grouper fish, but they are all characterized by large scales. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? 9340 W Fort Island Trail 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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! 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. We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! 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? data-event-category="Navigation header guest". Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 Grouper fish tend to be drawn to structure so they can often be found on reefs or near docks and jetties. 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