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. Keep it up. 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. This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. A live pinfish on the bottom has given us the best outcomes so far this year. When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? This can cause you to miss the fish. Hard fighters paired with being a delectable table fair make it a fish everyone can enjoy. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. 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! Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. The sun is no joke. And good to eat. 352-601-1963 Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! 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. All you have to do is pay for the charter. Whats so special about our area is the vast amount of natural rocks and ledges that hold these Grouper his time of the year. INCREDIBLE!!! Most of our Grouper Fishing is done anywhere from 8-30 of water. Yes, but be careful of the oyster bars if running your own boat. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. 12645 W Fort Island Trail We went scalloping (not fishing). Crystal River, FL 34429. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shallow water or inshore fishing and grouper do not go hand in hand in most areas. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. 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. Grouper is a delicious fish. Nice fishing! Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. 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. Our numerous shallow water rock piles make our area arguably the best place to grouper fish in the state of Florida. The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. The weather this year has provided challenges and opportunities to change up our tactics and find fish in places where they maybe wouldnt have been in a normal" season. Sport Fishing Slip They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? Email Us! 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 most prevalent of these features are rock formations. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. 9340 W Fort Island Trail 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. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. These young anglers put on a fishing cli. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. 12645 W Fort Island Trail Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. Casey. You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. We look forward to hearing from you. Be sure to include the following on your next gag grouper fishing trip: Gag grouper fish are ambush predators, which means they hide in places where they can easily conceal themselves from their prey. 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. Skip to main content. 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. ? However, the reward has been well worth it for anglers willing to bundle up and put in the time. 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. Take a fishing charter trip on crystal river: Perfect if youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River! #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. We talked to a local angler who knows everything there is to know about catching these creatures in the waters of Crystal River. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . As the cooler weather starts to set in, fall is upon us. You dont have to buy a fishing boat or buy fishing gear. 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. How shallow one may ask? 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. 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. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Redfish, Snook, Speckled Trout, and Gag Grouper are all biting well this time of year, and the weather is usually cooperative, with sunny days and mild temperatures. Trout bite is firing up. Should You Go Fishing in Crystal River in January. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. Come prepared for a strong swim. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". A fishing charter is a great way to enjoy a day out with friends or family while catching fish at the same time. 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. Crystal River is known for its gorgeous clear waters, but did you know its also a hot spot for grouper fishing? Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! 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. Its hard to believe that May is already in the rearview mirror. Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. The mackerel bite was on ? No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. 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. July fishing can very hot but very rewarding. Grouper works in a variety of dishes, including the classic fish sandwich. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Sign me up as a fan Im often asked how we choose the guides that work with us here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. The time we all look forward to has arrived once again: Grouper time! Thats why so many people decide to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River! 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. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Please call for full rate and reservation information. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. For many people, freshwater fishing charters in Florida are the main attraction. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. Oops, there was an error sending your message. 2023 FishingBooker.com. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. What to expect on your upcoming charter? However, the inshore fishery here in Crystal River does just that. 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. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. 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. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red 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. Continue reading. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. But it is worth it to find the fish! 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. The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. 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. We found them! When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. Mostly considered an offshore species, juvenile gags mature in bays and deeper grass flats close to . There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . Happy New Year anglers!! Located on US Hwy 19, Grannies kitchen has over 2,000 Google reviews and 4.6 stars. Again concentrate on the early morning and late afternoon bites for more success on the water in the dog days of summer. Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. 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 Tight Lines!!! If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! Meanwhile, gag grouper fish are known for their large mouths that give them a wide gape when feeding. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Get a bite to eat at Grannies Country Cookin Restaurant. However, they can also be found in temperate environments. 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. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. When it comes to gag grouper fishing in Crystal River, you need to have the right tackle ready to go. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. 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! 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. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. 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. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper.