They will take out a prop or lower unit in a heart beat. Reports | Crystal River Fly Fishing Web Design by SteamWorks | Page One Fishing. Your Crystal River Spring 2023 Fishing Guide I'm a Native Floridian, and have been fishing the Homosassa, Crystal River, and Ozello area all of my life. 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. You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. We initially said hunt because thats exactly what fishing for grouper is like. 352-601-1963 While these underwater structures hold gag grouper, it is not every single one of them. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! February 21, 2023. All you have to do is pay for the charter. 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. Crystal River is known for its gorgeous clear waters, but did you know its also a hot spot for grouper fishing? We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . 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. I want to be just like capt Casey when I grow up., Casey Russell is a highly experienced guide. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. Grouper - Southern Fishing Guide Service Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 - High Octane Fishing We get this question a lot. . Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Please call for full rate and reservation information. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. This allows you to easily release the fish and improves the chance that it will live. Welcome to Tarpon Country ladies and gentlemen!!! You dont have to buy a fishing boat or buy fishing gear. Contact Fish Hunter Tours and Captain Bryan Frechette for a great fishing trip. Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? 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. 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. 12645 W Fort Island Trail Some reservations may require a deposit. 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. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. Its keeping it. 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. Crystal River, FL 34429. 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. 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. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. 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. 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. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Book a Fishing Charter Trip Today with High Octane Fishing Charters. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. As December and the year 2022 come to an end; we can't help but savor the incredible year High Octane Charters has had. Really good fighting fish. Gag grouper fish will often hide in crevices, under ledges, or among rocks and coral. A fishing charter is a great way to enjoy a day out with friends or family while catching fish at the same time. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. 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. Florida Fishing Adventures. Consider using circle hooks when youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River. 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. Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. 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. The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. With temperatures averaging in the low to mid-50's at times, the fish have been less aggressive than normal. Contact us today with questions. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. Crystal River Grouper Fishing 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. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 Nick Warrington Oct 26, 2021 Shallow water grouper fishing has been hot! Sport Fishing Slip Continue reading. Learn all about the benefits of charter fishing here this time of year. The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. INCREDIBLE!!! You can certainly eat it if you wish! Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. Either use SPF 50 sunscreen or wear long shirt/pants. Are you new to fishing for gag grouper? Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. 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. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. 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. Learn all about the different snapper varieties here. Crystal River Shallow Water Grouper and Redfish | Crystal River Fishing See what fish are biting now in Crystal River and find out where to catch them. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River So no matter when you decide to go, youll always have plenty of fish to catch. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. Gag Grouper In Crystal River Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. The most prevalent of these features are rock formations. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. Located on US Hwy 19, Grannies kitchen has over 2,000 Google reviews and 4.6 stars. 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. Email Us! Daily Crystal River Fishing Reports (March 2023) - FishingBooker 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. Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. How shallow one may ask? The water is beautiful but it is hot out so come prepared for lots of heat and sun. Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. Book with Captain Bryan! Best of all, its always open and ready to welcome anglers year-round. Come prepared for a strong swim. What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Crystal River, Florida for the first time. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! 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!! What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. All rights reserved. The water is heating up and so is the fishing. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing - Florida Fishing & Hunting The action is a little . Meanwhile, gag grouper fish are known for their large mouths that give them a wide gape when feeding. Its a very accessible place with plenty of different fish species, and its always an exciting time. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to 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. Redfish and Snook in the backcountry + Grouper are lurking. Email Address: However, they can also be found in temperate environments. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? This small town with just over 3,000 residents might not seem like the type of place where youll find world-class fishing. Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. 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. These fish arent just sitting around waiting for us to catch them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish. Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Oops, there was an error sending your message. Casey. 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. 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. We found them! Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Our numerous shallow water rock piles make our area arguably the best place to grouper fish in the state of Florida. Keep it up. These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. There is something to do for everyone in our area. Shallow Water Grouper - Reel Florida Fishing Charters Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. Happy Holidays Anglers. Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. There are some species that can grow quite large. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. 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? Trying to decide what time of year to. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. 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. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Drink water!! But if youre planning to go during the colder months, keep in mind that most freshwater species are seasonal. Shallow Water Grouper Fishing For many people the idea of Gag Grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand.