Web Design by SteamWorks | Page One Fishing. 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. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? captnickwarrington@gmail.com. Bring a hat and sunblock and a good attitude, there's gold here!!! Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. 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 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. 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. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. 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. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Captain, Owner, and Fishing Guide At Florida Fishing Adventures in Crystal River, Florida. And good to eat. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. 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. What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? Florida Fishing in in October. Either use SPF 50 sunscreen or wear long shirt/pants. Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. You can certainly eat it if you wish! 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 weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. 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. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Summer time is our rainy season. 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. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. 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. 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. You can expect tight lines and great fishing here in crystal river I look forward to seeing you on the water and tight lines. Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. Casey is a god, basically the best fisherman ever. Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. 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. We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. 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. Crystal River Grouper Fishing If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. Generally, 65-80 pound braided main line and 80-100 pound leader gets the job done. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. For many people, freshwater fishing charters in Florida are the main attraction. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. Trying to decide what time of year to. Are you new to fishing for gag grouper? The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. Come along with Captain Jayce on a fishing charter, and get ready to hook the catch of a lifetime. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. While these underwater structures hold gag grouper, it is not every single one of them. The grouper bite is staying steady especially for the heat of summer the summer time storms have been keeping the water temperatures down. We got into the trout and found some to take home, then switched gears and went hunting for reds and they delivered! When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! Crystal River, Florida, makes an excellent choice for charter fishing. INCREDIBLE!!! Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. June is primarily dedicated to Gag Grouper, as it is one of our most popular species to target. Located on US Hwy 19, Grannies kitchen has over 2,000 Google reviews and 4.6 stars. Usually those words are the precursor for a story of struggles or How many of you enjoy a nice warm cup of coffee to get you going before you start the day? Skip to main content. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. Thats the word that comes to mind as I try my best to describe the latest fishing action here along the Nature Coast. If you are fishing for a large grouper fish, try casting very far out into the water. 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! 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. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. Fishing charters take anglers out along the Crystal River to catch gag grouper. Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. These same big-lipped diving plugs have been all the rage for about three years among anglers trolling for grouper off Florida's Coastal Bend in the Gulf of Mexico. 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. In fact, it has a slightly sweet taste and it has a texture that is easy to work with, even if you overcook it. Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. Happy New Year anglers!! Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! 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!! Should You Go Fishing in Crystal River in January. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. 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. captnickwarrington@gmail.com. When you use the right approach with circle hooks, they will hook the grouper at the corner of the mouth. Fresh Fishing Reports from Crystal River. There are several ways to catch a grouper fish from shore. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. 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. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. Trolling Rapala Xraps or other hard baits across the top of the structure can produce very well by keying in on the Groupers aggression and triggering a reaction strike. Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. The captain can also offer bait if needed. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. It is relatively easy to identify grouper fish. Anywhere from 15-30 you can expect to catch quality grouper on live and dead baits. Casey. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. These fish are hearty and dont give up easily! These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Welcome to Tarpon Country ladies and gentlemen!!! Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. While there are many opinions out there on what that might be, we like to use pinfish for grouper bait. Please call for full rate and reservation information. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. 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. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. We pair these up with 7' Daiwa Harrier X rods to land these beasts. Thankfully the Nature Coast, which includes Crystal River and . 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. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. . We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. 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. A fishing charter is a great way to enjoy a day out with friends or family while catching fish at the same time. We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. Our numerous shallow water rock piles make our area arguably the best place to grouper fish in the state of Florida. 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. The water is heating up and so is the fishing. The odd predicament left the docile . I love fishing the Nature Coast. 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. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. The action is a little . While your selection of fishing hooks is a personal choice, a circle hook can leverage your grouper fishing experience. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. If you catch a few and then don't see any for a while, don't get discouraged. We get this question a lot. Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. Email Us! I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Shallow water grouper casting and trolling. 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. All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. Captain Jayce is the go-to gag grouper fishing charter captain in Crystal River, FL. Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing For many people the idea of Gag Grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand. A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. Well as the old saying goes for every mile you venture off our coast it only gets a foot deeper.. You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. 9340 W Fort Island Trail The months of October through December make up this peak period. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Best of all, its always open and ready to welcome anglers year-round. Some species can grow quite large in fact, the largest recorded grouper fish was almost 700 pounds! Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Get a bite to eat at Grannies Country Cookin Restaurant. February 21, 2023. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. 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! 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. 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. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. They are most abundant in tropical to subtropical waters. This allows them to swallow large prey items like clams and crabs whole. It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. Great weather and great fishing. Welcome Spring Breakers!!! When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? 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. The largest grouper fish recorded weighed almost 700 pounds! What to expect on your upcoming charter? Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. This can cause you to miss the fish. They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. But if youre planning to go during the colder months, keep in mind that most freshwater species are seasonal. Gag Grouper In Crystal River 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. 12645 W Fort Island Trail There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . The main tried and true bait that gag grouper simply can't pass up is the trusty pinfish. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. The health benefits of this fish include low-fat content, omega-3 fatty acids, high protein, and a lot of vitamins. 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. Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. 12645 W Fort Island Trail Come out with Finders Keepers Charters and try to catch these tasty fish on light to medium tackle either bottom fishing or trolling lipped plugs. In fact, the area has been one of the most popular charter fishing spots in this part of Florida for many decades now thanks to the accessibility and abundant natural resources. Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. . Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. Meanwhile, gag grouper fish are known for their large mouths that give them a wide gape when feeding. Continue reading. Email Us! #realsal, God! The waters can be choppy on the boat ride to fishing site. 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. Once you find the school, live pinfish has been a great bait to keep these fish fired up. 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 you have to do is pay for the charter. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. 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. Learn where, when, and how to catch fishing in Crystal River, Florida with High Octane Fishing Charters. Contact us today with questions. 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. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. 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. 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. 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. However, in Crystal River Florida it does! Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida.