It is a beautiful, natural, rural area. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. Keep it up. 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. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. 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. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. 9340 W Fort Island Trail Oops, there was an error sending your message. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. In fact, it has a slightly sweet taste and it has a texture that is easy to work with, even if you overcook it. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. 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. As December and the year 2022 come to an end; we can't help but savor the incredible year High Octane Charters has had. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Book a Fishing Charter Trip Today with High Octane Fishing Charters. Learn all about the benefits of charter fishing here this time of year. I love fishing the Nature Coast. The action is a little . The months of October through December make up this peak period. Casey. 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. Please call for full rate and reservation information. I want to be just like capt Casey when I grow up., Casey Russell is a highly experienced guide. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? Come along with Captain Jayce on a fishing charter, and get ready to hook the catch of a lifetime. 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. 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. This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! We look forward to. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. Happy New Year anglers!! 2023 FishingBooker.com. 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. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. 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. Florida Fishing Adventures. 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. These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. 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. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. 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. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Trout bite is firing up. 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. 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. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. With temperatures averaging in the low to mid-50's at times, the fish have been less aggressive than normal. June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. Shallow water grouper casting and trolling. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? 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 Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits. 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. Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. I love fishing the Nature Coast. 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. Summer time is our rainy season. 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. We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. ? Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. 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. 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. If you are fishing for a large grouper fish, try casting very far out into the water. 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. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. 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. 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. Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. 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. Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. In less than 20 feet of water, gag grouper can be found patrolling the inshore waters of Crystal River. Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. Really good fighting fish. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. As the cooler weather starts to set in, fall is upon us. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. Crystal River, Florida, makes an excellent choice for charter fishing. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! 352-601-1963 Shallow water or inshore fishing and grouper do not go hand in hand in most areas. Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! Oops, there was an error sending your message. Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 Nick Warrington Oct 26, 2021 Shallow water grouper fishing has been hot! 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. 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. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. There is something to do for everyone in our area. Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. It has high levels of mercury, which can cause problems such as bloody stool, mood swings, memory loss, or muscle weakness. 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 trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. 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. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. While these underwater structures hold gag grouper, it is not every single one of them. Mostly considered an offshore species, juvenile gags mature in bays and deeper grass flats close to . Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. A fishing charter is a great way to enjoy a day out with friends or family while catching fish at the same time. Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. They are intelligent and fast-moving, so catching them takes some skill. Thats the word that comes to mind as I try my best to describe the latest fishing action here along the Nature Coast. So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. See what fish are biting now in Crystal River and find out where to catch them. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. There are many colors and patterns of grouper fish, but they are all characterized by large scales. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel.