Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. Florida Fishing in in October. As the water temperature starts to drop into the low 70s, the Grouper start to swim (migrate) their way east. 9340 W Fort Island Trail When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. Crystal River is known for its gorgeous clear waters, but did you know its also a hot spot for grouper fishing? Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. The water is heating up and so is the fishing. 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. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. It is relatively easy to identify grouper fish. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Charters A fishing charter is a great way to enjoy a day out with friends or family while catching fish at the same time. Thats why so many people decide to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River! Tons of redfish, trout, mackeral, and cobia invading the area. Make sure to know what your going for and the season that is legal for your choice of catch. Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. Are you new to fishing for gag grouper? 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. The mackerel bite was on ? Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. Sardines and threadfin herring are a good option if live bait isn't available. Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. Crankin' Up Grouper | Bass Pro Shops We got into the trout and found some to take home, then switched gears and went hunting for reds and they delivered! I love fishing the Nature Coast. Book a Fishing Charter Trip Today with High Octane Fishing Charters. The time we have all been looking forward to, cooler weather, has arrived here in Crystal River! I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! In less than 20 feet of water, gag grouper can be found patrolling the inshore waters of Crystal River. These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. Crystal River Sport Fishing - Fishing Charters in Crystal River, FL Its a very accessible place with plenty of different fish species, and its always an exciting time. These lures track true straight out of the package and have good enough hooks to handle a quality grouper. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. We went scalloping (not fishing). However, they can also be found in temperate environments. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. There is something to do for everyone in our area. Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? When you use the right approach with circle hooks, they will hook the grouper at the corner of the mouth. This will help you identify them when its time to go out on your fishing trip. Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. 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. 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. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. 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. Mostly considered an offshore species, juvenile gags mature in bays and deeper grass flats close to . Reports Winter Time Fishing The Nature Coast Jan 17, 2023 Happy New Year anglers!! Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. Are you ready to hook some gag grouper? 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. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. Its a lot of fun to get a experience fishing for gag grouper, all while finding the secret places where they like to hide. Email Us! For many people, freshwater fishing charters in Florida are the main attraction. Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. You wont be disappointed, 12645 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429. This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. However, the reward has been well worth it for anglers willing to bundle up and put in the time. 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 weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. Reports - Reel Florida Fishing Charters 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 rights reserved. Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. Come prepared for a strong swim. When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? Goliath Grouper Fishing Charters, Guides, & Trips In Crystal River As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. . Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. 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. Take a fishing charter trip on crystal river: Perfect if youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River! If you're looking to charter a Florida flats fishing guide, I hope to hear from you soon. Fishing for Grouper in Crystal River, FL: June Fishing Report However, in Crystal River Florida it does! Welcome to Tarpon Country ladies and gentlemen!!! Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. The action is a little . Its keeping it. #realsal, God! These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. In fact, the area has been one of the most popular charter fishing spots in this part of Florida for many decades now thanks to the accessibility and abundant natural resources. Crystal River, FL 34429. Drink water!! Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River It is a beautiful, natural, rural area. Really good fighting fish. Trout bite is firing up. 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. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. Located on US Hwy 19, Grannies kitchen has over 2,000 Google reviews and 4.6 stars. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. Book with Captain Bryan! Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 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 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. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Once you find the school, live pinfish has been a great bait to keep these fish fired up. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. There are many colors and patterns of grouper fish, but they are all characterized by large scales. 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. They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. We will be back., Irene Rubin Fort worth, Texas Great Guide- Great Fishing, Matt A. from Kill Devil Hills, NC I mean, capt. 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. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. Email Address: Reservations should be made in advance if possible. Its hard to believe that May is already in the rearview mirror. There are some species that can grow quite large. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. Yes, but be careful of the oyster bars if running your own boat. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. 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. Reports | Crystal River Fly Fishing Nice fishing! These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Gag grouper fish will often hide in crevices, under ledges, or among rocks and coral. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. 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. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. Either use SPF 50 sunscreen or wear long shirt/pants. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Most of our Grouper Fishing is done anywhere from 8-30 of water. Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. 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. 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. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Shallow Water Grouper - Reel Florida Fishing Charters February 21, 2023. Your Crystal River Spring 2023 Fishing Guide 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. 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. 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. Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. Again concentrate on the early morning and late afternoon bites for more success on the water in the dog days of summer. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. Please call for full rate and reservation information. We often see dolphins, manatees and tons of different species of birds, including white pelicans. 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? 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. Grouper - Southern Fishing Guide Service #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Grouper fish tend to be drawn to structure so they can often be found on reefs or near docks and jetties. Crystal River, FL 34429. This allows them to swallow large prey items like clams and crabs whole. Some species can grow quite large in fact, the largest recorded grouper fish was almost 700 pounds! Consider using circle hooks when youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Daily Crystal River Fishing Reports (March 2023) - FishingBooker All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. 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. Crystal River Fishing Reports: May Recap and What to Expect Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 - High Octane Fishing Fishing Reports | Crystal River Fishing Charters 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. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. You dont have to buy a fishing boat or buy fishing gear. Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. 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. 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!! Email Address: The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. 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. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Sport Fishing Slip 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! We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . Summer time is our rainy season. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. In fact, it has a slightly sweet taste and it has a texture that is easy to work with, even if you overcook it.