Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Email Address: 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. Gag Grouper and Redfish is the staple of Crystal River Fishing and there is no better time than now to catch multiples of these species in a day with the chance of breaking your personal best on the very next cast. As the water temperature starts to drop into the low 70s, the Grouper start to swim (migrate) their way east. Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. Tight Lines!!! Theres a reason they call is Red October. Schools of large upper slot and overslot redfish line the outer islands of the St. Martins Keys making for extremely fun sight fishing opportunities in crystal clear water. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Crystal River, FL 34429. Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. The largest grouper fish recorded weighed almost 700 pounds! 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. 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. We look forward to hearing from you. If so, lets talk about what they look like. The gag groupers mouth can also open up wider than most other fish because it has muscles that allow it to expand and contract. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". 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 Grouper are famously known as Florida's most delicious fish species and of the seventeen different grouper species that are targeted throughout Florida the gag grouper is the most common variety found inhabiting the waters off the Nature Coast. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. 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. 352-601-1963 Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. There are several ways to catch a grouper fish from shore. The odd predicament left the docile . 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. Sardines and threadfin herring are a good option if live bait isn't available. Pinfish are very good eating fish and are often caught using fishing lines and hooks. 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. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. More Info on Crystal River Grouper Fishing Charters, 2023 crystalriverguideservice.com All Rights Reserved | Page One Fishing. This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. 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! It is this combination of structure, food, and temperate waters that bring gag grouper into the Crystal River inshore fishery. February 21, 2023. Trying to decide what time of year to. 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. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. 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. Skip to main content. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. Hard fighters paired with being a delectable table fair make it a fish everyone can enjoy. Email Address: Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! Reports Winter Time Fishing The Nature Coast Jan 17, 2023 Happy New Year anglers!! While these underwater structures hold gag grouper, it is not every single one of them. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. Keep it up. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? captnickwarrington@gmail.com. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. 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. I want to be just like capt Casey when I grow up., Casey Russell is a highly experienced guide. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. They will take out a prop or lower unit in a heart beat. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 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. There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. However, the inshore fishery here in Crystal River does just that. 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? Looking for the best time of year to fish in Crystal River? 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. But it is worth it to find the fish! Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. 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. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. Are you ready to hook some gag grouper? 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. There are others, but these two have the densist population and are the most readily available to target. And good to eat. Oops, there was an error sending your message. There is something to do for everyone in our area. This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. Are you visiting Crystal River in the month of June? Have fun and enjoy!! Email Us! #realsal, God! Sport Fishing Slip Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . Great weather and great fishing. Some species can grow quite large in fact, the largest recorded grouper fish was almost 700 pounds! Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. 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. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. These lures track true straight out of the package and have good enough hooks to handle a quality grouper. This can cause you to miss the fish. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. 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. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! 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. The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. 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. It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. 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. 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. This is the time of year to start making plans and getting your spot locked in for this fishing opportunity. You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing For many people the idea of Gag Grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand. 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. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. Bring a hat and sunblock and a good attitude, there's gold here!!! Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. 9340 W Fort Island Trail These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. Redfish and Snook in the backcountry + Grouper are lurking. Grouper is a delicious fish. 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. There are some species that can grow quite large. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. 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. 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! They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. How awesome would it be to put a Tarpon in the air or land a couple of Snook all before most folks pour their first cup of coffee? If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. When you use the right approach with circle hooks, they will hook the grouper at the corner of the mouth. Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. Come along with Captain Jayce on a fishing charter, and get ready to hook the catch of a lifetime. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. Grouper fish tend to be drawn to structure so they can often be found on reefs or near docks and jetties. Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. INCREDIBLE!!! Some reservations may require a deposit. Make sure to know what your going for and the season that is legal for your choice of catch. While there are many opinions out there on what that might be, we like to use pinfish for grouper bait. Book with Captain Bryan! Best of all, its always open and ready to welcome anglers year-round. 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 Holidays Anglers. 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. Sign me up as a fan Im often asked how we choose the guides that work with us here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters. Shallow water or inshore fishing and grouper do not go hand in hand in most areas. Yes, but be careful of the oyster bars if running your own boat. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. Reservations should be made in advance if possible. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. . But if youre planning to go during the colder months, keep in mind that most freshwater species are seasonal. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . 12645 W Fort Island Trail 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. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida.