Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Gag Grouper In Crystal River For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. 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. Youll see copious amounts of wildlife and experience the beauty of this area! The gag groupers mouth can also open up wider than most other fish because it has muscles that allow it to expand and contract. As December and the year 2022 come to an end; we can't help but savor the incredible year High Octane Charters has had. 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. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. Email Us! Come along with Captain Jayce on a fishing charter, and get ready to hook the catch of a lifetime. Great fishery, things heat up in the warmer monthes.. April is stormy and unpredictable. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Grouper is a delicious fish. The months of October through December make up this peak period. This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. 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. Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. 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. 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. 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. 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. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. However, the inshore fishery here in Crystal River does just that. 12645 W Fort Island Trail They are intelligent and fast-moving, so catching them takes some skill. Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. 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. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. Grouper fish tend to be drawn to structure so they can often be found on reefs or near docks and jetties. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. But if youre planning to go during the colder months, keep in mind that most freshwater species are seasonal. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! 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 sun is no joke. These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. Trying to decide what time of year to. Spring time is coming in Spanish mackerel are coming in. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. Summer time is our rainy season. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. Gag grouper are an ambush predator that loves to hide inside of structure. 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. 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. Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. 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Looking to go fishing in Crystal River in January? Offering up to date, strategies, productive areas and hot baits. Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. Why is this cooler weather so special, you may ask? A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. Why Fishing in Crystal River, FL is One of the , Crystal River Fishing Reports: May Recap and Wh, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. Really good fighting fish. Once you find the school, live pinfish has been a great bait to keep these fish fired up. Email Address: 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. Make sure to know what your going for and the season that is legal for your choice of catch. 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. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. It is a beautiful, natural, rural area. There are some species that can grow quite large. 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. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. Either use SPF 50 sunscreen or wear long shirt/pants. Sport Fishing Slip 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. Even with a 50, one of us got really burned. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. 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? Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. Drink water!! This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. However, in Crystal River Florida it does! One of the notable considerations of eating grouper is its mercury grade. This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. 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. 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. Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. However, the reward has been well worth it for anglers willing to bundle up and put in the time. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. 352-601-1963 Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. How shallow one may ask? 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. Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. Though there are multiple species of grouper fish, they all have large, thick bodies and wide mouths. Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. Some reservations may require a deposit. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! 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. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. 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 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We look forward to hearing from you. One thing that makes our area special is the abilty to cast and troll for these fish. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". Pete's charges $5.00 to park on their lot, but that is covered if you book through FishingBooker. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. 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. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! It has high levels of mercury, which can cause problems such as bloody stool, mood swings, memory loss, or muscle weakness. 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. Trout bite is firing up. We went scalloping (not fishing). Redfish and Snook in the backcountry + Grouper are lurking. Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. 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? Email Us! And good to eat. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. 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. Crystal River is known for its gorgeous clear waters, but did you know its also a hot spot for grouper fishing? Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. 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. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. The freshwater springs off the coast are home to several species of fish including snook, redfish, and of course, gag grouper. You wont be disappointed, 12645 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429. Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. 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. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. If you are fishing for a large grouper fish, try casting very far out into the water. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. Reports Winter Time Fishing The Nature Coast Jan 17, 2023 Happy New Year anglers!! 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. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. Contact us today with questions. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Are you new to fishing for gag grouper? June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. 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. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. Had an amazing family on the boat today. Its hard to believe that May is already in the rearview mirror. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. We found them! 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! You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. 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. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. Email Address: Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. Florida Fishing Adventures. Well as the old saying goes for every mile you venture off our coast it only gets a foot deeper.. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. Sardines and threadfin herring are a good option if live bait isn't available. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. 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. The largest grouper fish recorded weighed almost 700 pounds! Happy Holidays Anglers. 2023 FishingBooker.com. What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. Its a lot of fun to get a experience fishing for gag grouper, all while finding the secret places where they like to hide. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Its keeping it. Sign me up as a fan Im often asked how we choose the guides that work with us here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters. You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. Florida Fishing Adventures. Grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits. For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. What to expect on your upcoming charter? Thats the word that comes to mind as I try my best to describe the latest fishing action here along the Nature Coast. 9340 W Fort Island Trail Battle some of the hardest fighting fish in Florida all while experiencing the beauty of the Nature Coast on your guided fishing trip. Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. Its 2023 , and the new year is starting right with inshore and offshore action.Our water temps have been colder than average. Please call for full rate and reservation information. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper Fishing Capt. Contact Fish Hunter Tours and Captain Bryan Frechette for a great fishing trip. 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. Have fun and enjoy!! However, they can also be found in temperate environments. 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. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. The waters can be choppy on the boat ride to fishing site. 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. See what fish are biting now in Crystal River and find out where to catch them. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. 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. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. Oops, there was an error sending your message. If so,, Preparing For Backcountry Winter Fishing In Crystal River, Crystal River offers some of the best fishing in Florida, and winter is a great. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle.