Ask anyone what they picture when they think of Florida, and after the obvious mouse answer, the results are probably going to lean heavily to fishing. With the longest continuous coastline of any state, Florida offers anglers the chance to catch hundreds of fish species. Of these scores of fish and thousands of miles of coastline to target them, few places provide anglers with a better opportunity to bring home a cooler of high-quality table fare than Crystal River.
Crystal River
Crystal River’s unique bottom topography creates a paradise for anglers looking to catch inshore and Deepwater species all within the same day. Anglers familiar with open-water species like king mackerel or deepwater species like grouper will be excited to learn that both can be found easily in Crystal River. The nearshore bottom structure of crystal river allows anglers to target these great fighting and eating fish just a few minutes from the port, often in water much shallower than other regions of the state.
Where to Catch Fish in Crystal River
The waters of the Crystal River area are teeming with fish. As such it’s not a surprise to encounter multiple species of fish in one trip. These “mixed bag” catches are common, but anglers can’t expect to find all of the species in the same places. To better determine where you want to fish we listed areas that certain species are most often found in.
When to Catch Fish in Crystal River
While many fish swim in the waters around Crystal River, there are times of the year when fishing is better. Whether it be the sheer number of fish or the behavior that makes targeting them more enjoyable many fish have months out of the year when fishing is phenomenal.
As anglers, we are stewards of the resource, and with that stewardship comes the responsibility to harvest fish sustainably. Some species have size and bag restrictions allowing anglers to take only so many fish per outing. Some species have size and bag restrictions allowing anglers to take only so many fish per outing. Some species have seasons in which they can be harvested and the rest of the year is closed to harvest, meaning that while they can still be caught, it’s only catch and release.
How to Catch Fish in Crystal River
Just like how we can’t catch every species in the same place, we will be hard pressed to catch every fish on the same technique. To give you some insight into the style of fishing we will be doing, we included some tips on what we catch our favorite species on. While almost any fish will eat shrimp, the best methods for taking some predatory fish may involve high speed trolling so double check your species.
The Fish of Crystal River
While we couldn't list every species available in Crystal River, we highlighted some of the top species that our clients are most interested in catching.
Amberjack
Black Seabass
December through March is best. 20+ feet of water with live shrimp or cut bait. Not heavily targeted in our area but it can be done during the cooler months if you have the right spots. These are in the grouper family so they’re phenomenal eating. Minimum keeper size in 10”.
Cobia
Gag Grouper
Hog Snapper
King Mackerel
Mangrove Snapper
Pink Mouth Grunts
Great year round. Often improperly called a snapper in fish markets. Mainly get them as bycatch while targeting mangrove snapper but they are a great cooler filler if you’re looking for a large fish fry as limits are relaxed. Any rockpile past 15’ of water will have good numbers of them.
Redfish
Red Grouper
Red Snapper
Scallops
While
scalloping isn’t “fishing”, it is an activity we love to provide and it’s a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the water and our wildlife. July 1st- September 24th. August is the best time to do it as it’s less crowded & the Bay
Scallops have had enough time to grow to decent size but there’s still plenty to be found.. Look in the clear grass flats from 3-8’ of water.
Sheepshead
Snook
Spanish Mackerel
These migratory fish typically start showing up in March and stick around until November. Peak months for the spring run are March & April. Peak fall run is October. Shinny and fast moving lures or live pinfish, shrimp, or white bait. Chumming around structure will congregate them. Trolling is also an effective method. No season. Minimum keeper size is 12”.
Spotted Sea Trout
Tarpon
May-June are the best as we have migratory fish coming though. But we have residents year round. Large live baits are the ticket such as mullet work well. Catch and Release only. Flats between Crystal River & Homosassa early in the morning are where to look for these guys. Anglers looking for the greatest acrobatic fight they’ve ever seen should inquire about fishing for these “Silver Kings”.
Tripletail
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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02 May, 2024
Inshore Trout- Trout have been a bit on the scattered lately. The best trout bite has been on the incoming tide. Mirrolure Little Jons in root beer or gold on a 1/8 jig head has worked the best in 5-6’ of water. Aggressively jigging these baits with long pause between “pops” has been the best way to trigger a strike
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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28 Mar, 2024
There are few fish in Florida that attract as much attention as the Cobia. A migratory nearshore fish, the Cobia is prized for its combination of fight and table fare. How these fish are targeted in Florida makes them even more attractive to anglers who, at times, will custom design their vessels to make targeting them easier. This article will cover the ins and outs of cobia fishing, such as the state tackle record, fishing techniques, peak seasons, and even a recipe for preparing your catch.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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28 Mar, 2024
Spring has sprung in Crystal River, and the fishing keeps getting better. While there were a few windy days and more than one requiring a jacket, the fishing didn't let up. As the winter fishing season draws to a close, our target species begin to change....
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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28 Feb, 2024
The calendar year may have only just begun, but for anglers in Crystal River, the changing temperatures mean a whole new style of fishing is headed their way. With warmer water temperatures and a mild weather outlook, both anglers and fish species are showing up in the places we can count on them year after year.
By Nick Warrington
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18 Jan, 2024
January-March brings cool weather and full coolers! Starting in January sheepshead move to our offshore rock piles in large aggregations to spawn. No, these aren't the sheepshead species found in the lakes in the northern U.S.. These shrimp devouring scavengers with serious dental work belong to the porgy family, but they put up a nice fight and are great eating. It's really tough to pass up panko crusted sheepshead!
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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17 Jan, 2024
Crystal River, Florida, a hidden gem nestled along the Gulf Coast, is not only known for its breathtaking natural beauty and picturesque landscapes but also for a unique and thrilling summer activity: scalloping. This delightful underwater adventure combines exploration, relaxation, and a dash of adrenaline, making it a must-try experience for locals and visitors alike. In this article, we'll dive into the current scalloping season, catch limits, and techniques.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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28 Dec, 2023
By Capt. Nick Warrington
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10 Dec, 2023
Inshore: Crystal River's inshore waters provide anglers with some outstanding opportunities for the sought-after Florida species like Redfish, Trout, and Snook. Our offshore boat was too big to navigate the shallow waters around the mangrove islands so we remedied that. We are proud to announce the newest addition to our fishing fleet a 20' microdraft. This vessel is designed to be the ultimate fishing boat for exploring the backwaters of Crystal River, Florida. Powered by a Yamaha 90 HP motor, this locally built skiff is designed to run shallower than a flounder. With the ability to float in 3-4" (Inches!) of water at rest and run even shallower, we can access waters that most boats could only access while on a trailer. Unlike many other shallow water boats, this one has an 8-foot main beam, allowing anglers to comfortably fish from a stable platform regardless of where they cast from.
By Nick Warrington
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01 Nov, 2023
Nestled between the dog days of summer and "The Season," when snowbirds and partiers flock to Florida, fall is a magic time when fishing is great and the conditions are peaceful.
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