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. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. 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. Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. Drink water!! These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. 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. What to expect on your upcoming charter? Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. 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. The time we have all been looking forward to, cooler weather, has arrived here in Crystal River! Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. An unusual water rescue was staged in a Florida river after witnesses reported a discarded fishing lure had somehow pinned a manatee's flipper to its face. Shallow water or inshore fishing and grouper do not go hand in hand in most areas. Fishing Reports Catch Us Book Now (813) 486-4642 Your Ultimate Fishing Adventurein Crystal River Starts Here! Book a Fishing Charter Trip Today with High Octane Fishing Charters. 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. S from Cincinatii, OH Had a great time on the water and caught fish for dinner. Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. 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. Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. 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. Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. 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. We get this question a lot. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. Summer time is our rainy season. Had an amazing family on the boat today. This is the time of year to start making plans and getting your spot locked in for this fishing opportunity. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. 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. Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! Its a lot of fun to get a experience fishing for gag grouper, all while finding the secret places where they like to hide. While your selection of fishing hooks is a personal choice, a circle hook can leverage your grouper fishing experience. 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!! 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. Some species can grow quite large in fact, the largest recorded grouper fish was almost 700 pounds! Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. If you're looking to charter a Florida flats fishing guide, I hope to hear from you soon. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. ? . Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. The health benefits of this fish include low-fat content, omega-3 fatty acids, high protein, and a lot of vitamins. Email Address: You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. for goliath grouper in Crystal River prices can range anywhere from $400 to $600, but the average price for a full day for goliath grouper in Crystal River is $500. 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 We have a very unique fishery that allows us to catch quality Gag Grouper in less than 20 ft of water. Email Us! 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. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Keep it up. #realsal, God! You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. . These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. February 19, 2023. June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. If you catch a few and then don't see any for a while, don't get discouraged. 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. 352-601-1963 Nice fishing! Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. These lures track true straight out of the package and have good enough hooks to handle a quality grouper. 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. And good to eat. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. The waters can be choppy on the boat ride to fishing site. Pinfish are very good eating fish and are often caught using fishing lines and hooks. I want to be just like capt Casey when I grow up., Casey Russell is a highly experienced guide. Check out the May fishing report for Crystal River Fishing, offering insight on what's biting now! Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. 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. Most of our Grouper Fishing is done anywhere from 8-30 of water. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! With temperatures averaging in the low to mid-50's at times, the fish have been less aggressive than normal. The odd predicament left the docile . The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. Crystal River, FL 34429. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Crystal River, FL 34429. 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. 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. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. I'm a Native Floridian, and have been fishing the Homosassa, Crystal River, and Ozello area all of my life. Some reservations may require a deposit. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". However, in Crystal River Florida it does! Great fishery, things heat up in the warmer monthes.. April is stormy and unpredictable. Book with Captain Bryan! Trout bite is firing up. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! February 21, 2023. Thats why so many people decide to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River! 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. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. While there are many opinions out there on what that might be, we like to use pinfish for grouper bait. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. He or she will help you set up the gear, give you tips on how to catch fish. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 Nick Warrington Oct 26, 2021 Shallow water grouper fishing has been hot! 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. We went scalloping (not fishing). Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! This will help you identify them when its time to go out on your fishing trip. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Really good fighting fish. We pair these up with 7' Daiwa Harrier X rods to land these beasts. Water is nice and warm in the summer. Trying to decide what time of year to. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper. Oops, there was an error sending your message. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? 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. Tons of redfish, trout, mackeral, and cobia invading the area. As the cooler weather starts to set in, fall is upon us. If so, lets talk about what they look like. Crystal River, Florida, is a prime fishing destination with various species to catch and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. 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. They can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean, as well as here in Crystal River, Florida. Pete's charges $5.00 to park on their lot, but that is covered if you book through FishingBooker. The captain can also offer bait if needed. There are some species that can grow quite large. Take a fishing charter trip on crystal river: Perfect if youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River! 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. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. There is something to do for everyone in our area. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? Hard fighters paired with being a delectable table fair make it a fish everyone can enjoy. There are many colors and patterns of grouper fish, but they are all characterized by large scales. There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . We went for Scallops. Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. 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. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. This can cause you to miss the fish. 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. Grouper works in a variety of dishes, including the classic fish sandwich. 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. 12645 W Fort Island Trail See what fish are biting now in Crystal River and find out where to catch them. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. It is relatively easy to identify grouper fish. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. The water is beautiful but it is hot out so come prepared for lots of heat and sun. 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. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. As December and the year 2022 come to an end; we can't help but savor the incredible year High Octane Charters has had. We look forward to hearing from you. It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. Florida Fishing Adventures. Its keeping it. You've probably seen it on TV or you've seen it on YouTube: shallow water grouper fishing puts Crystal River on the map. 352-601-1963 You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. More Info on Crystal River Grouper Fishing Charters, 2023 crystalriverguideservice.com All Rights Reserved | Page One Fishing. Exploring the Benefits of Crystal River Fishing Charters: The Top Reasons to Book Now, Snapper Fishing in 2023: What to Expect from Crystal River, FL, Where, When, and How: Catching Fish in Crystal River. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. 12645 W Fort Island Trail It is also great to absorb dressings and marinades. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! We often see dolphins, manatees and tons of different species of birds, including white pelicans. They tend to stay close to the bottom where there is plenty of cover. Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. 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?