John. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. Sardines and threadfin herring are a good option if live bait isn't available. 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. 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. 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. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! Though there are multiple species of grouper fish, they all have large, thick bodies and wide mouths. But it is worth it to find the fish! Skip to main content. Florida Fishing in in October. Have fun and enjoy!! Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. You can certainly eat it if you wish! The water is heating up and so is the fishing. Reservations should be made in advance if possible. We will be back., Irene Rubin Fort worth, Texas Great Guide- Great Fishing, Matt A. from Kill Devil Hills, NC I mean, capt. 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!! Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? I love fishing the Nature Coast. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! Why is this cooler weather so special, you may ask? Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. 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. What to expect on your upcoming charter? This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. 12645 W Fort Island Trail Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Summer time is our rainy season. Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? One thing that makes our area special is the abilty to cast and troll for these fish. When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? Florida Fishing Adventures. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Once you find the school, live pinfish has been a great bait to keep these fish fired up. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. The time we have all been looking forward to, cooler weather, has arrived here in Crystal River! Best of all, its always open and ready to welcome anglers year-round. Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. Grouper is a delicious fish. What to expect on your upcoming charter? When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. Spring time is coming in Spanish mackerel are coming in. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! February 19, 2023. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. Trout bite is firing up. 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! All rights reserved. What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. 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. Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. I love fishing the Nature Coast. As the cooler weather starts to set in, fall is upon us. Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. This is the time of year to start making plans and getting your spot locked in for this fishing opportunity. One of the notable considerations of eating grouper is its mercury grade. Email Us! There are others, but these two have the densist population and are the most readily available to target. Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! 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. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 Meanwhile, gag grouper fish are known for their large mouths that give them a wide gape when feeding. These young anglers put on a fishing cli. It is also great to absorb dressings and marinades. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. 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. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. Some reservations may require a deposit. While most go fish wrecks and reefs for grouper, the bottom-scape of the Crystal River shallows contain many natural features that draw this species in. Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. For most people, moderate intake of mercury in fish is not a concern, but you do want to be aware of what youre putting in your body, especially if you eat grouper frequently. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. Consider using circle hooks when youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River. Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. 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. You can expect tight lines and great fishing here in crystal river I look forward to seeing you on the water and tight lines. 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. Happy New Year anglers!! Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. 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! But if youre planning to go during the colder months, keep in mind that most freshwater species are seasonal. 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. Gag Grouper In Crystal River Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. As the water temperature starts to drop into the low 70s, the Grouper start to swim (migrate) their way east. And good to eat. We look forward to. 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. The gag groupers mouth can also open up wider than most other fish because it has muscles that allow it to expand and contract. The waters can be choppy on the boat ride to fishing site. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. This can cause you to miss the fish. We get this question a lot. Looking to go fishing in Crystal River in January? Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. 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. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. Redfish and Snook in the backcountry + Grouper are lurking. 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. 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. The odd predicament left the docile . 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. This allows you to easily release the fish and improves the chance that it will live. 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!! The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. 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. However, in Crystal River Florida it does! 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. . 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. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. Contact Fish Hunter Tours and Captain Bryan Frechette for a great fishing trip. #realsal, God! Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. 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. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. Pete's charges $5.00 to park on their lot, but that is covered if you book through FishingBooker. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. They are intelligent and fast-moving, so catching them takes some skill. How shallow one may ask? Well as the old saying goes for every mile you venture off our coast it only gets a foot deeper.. Sport Fishing Slip Grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. Captain, Owner, and Fishing Guide At Florida Fishing Adventures in Crystal River, Florida. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 Nick Warrington Oct 26, 2021 Shallow water grouper fishing has been hot! February 21, 2023. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. They tend to stay close to the bottom where there is plenty of cover. Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. While these underwater structures hold gag grouper, it is not every single one of them. Its a very accessible place with plenty of different fish species, and its always an exciting time. 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. Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. We pair these up with 7' Daiwa Harrier X rods to land these beasts. Crystal River, FL 34429. 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. 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. 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? Continue reading. 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. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. Web Design by SteamWorks | Page One Fishing. Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. Its hard to believe that May is already in the rearview mirror. Water is nice and warm in the summer. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 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. 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.