As we wrap up our 2023 fishing season (and year), we can look back at a year of scallops, grouper, snapper, and enough fish stories to keep us excited for next season. We have seen first catches and personal bests and filled the boat with new friends month after month. The dream of High Octane Charters couldn't exist without you guys, so thank you.

 From our yearly recap, we can jump into our monthly recap. While we have had some wet and windy days at the end of the month, we were also graced with a good cold front. Anglers who were willing to bundle up were rewarded with good action both inshore and offshore.

Inshore:

 Crystal River's inshore fishing during the winter months is, bar none, some of the best on the coast. Snook, Redfish, Trout, and Pompano have all moved inshore from their offshore haunts and spawning areas. These fish come into the tidal flats, creeks, and spring fed rivers hungry and looking to seek refuge from the cooler waters offshore.New Paragraph

Crystal River's backcountry waters also experience extreme tides during the winter; these low and cold waters cause fish to congregate in deep creeks and holes throughout the area, reducing the need to search or "prospect" for fish like we do in the summer months. Lucky for us, our 20-foot Microdraft can get us back to the creeks and shallow flats that the larger boats can't access.
 

Usually, this section is broken down into the various species we target; however, with fish schooled up and holding to specific depths and structures, every trip will likely become a mixed bag or maybe a "white elephant."

Backcountry mixed bag: 

You never know what you'll find back there: Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Pompano, and Flounder.

Our most successful methods this month have been live shrimp on a 1/8th oz jig head bounced along the bottom or drifting a live shrimp under a popping cork. The colder the weather, the more important live bait is. As these fish focus on maximizing calories, chasing down a topwater becomes less appealing than slurping down a shrimp that comes floating by.

Offshore:

With the wind and weather of the last few weeks, we haven't been able to get offshore in the way we want to. When the forecast allows, rest assured the fish will be ready.

Mangrove Snapper:

Snapper fishing has been excellent offshore in 20-40 feet of water. Where there is one mangrove, there are always more, so we've been able to send anglers home with some incredible meals for the holidays.

Sheepshead:

Crystal River's Offshore Sheepshead are making an appearance out there as well. These larger fish are beginning to school or congregate on the nearshore rockpiles mixed in with our snappers. Look for them to fire up over the week or two.

Hogfish:

Hogfish or Hog Snappers have been hot this month. They have moved in shallower than last month, creating even more excitement for our mixed bag anglers tying into these handsome fish on relatively light gear.

Grouper:

While we can't harvest Gag Grouper, we still catch plenty of them. These Gags seem emboldened by the closure and add to the excitement of fishing the rock piles by trying and swallowing the smaller snappers we are reeling up. If you want to add some bragging rights for the biggest fish, let us know, and we can gear up to catch and release our larger reef species. Amberjack, Goliath Grouper, and Gag Grouper all fight hard enough to tire the brawniest of anglers and make for great conversations around the dinner table about your personal best fish.

Looking Ahead:

Sheepshead season is fast approaching! Here's a few pics from last year:

In the new year and the month of January, we can expect fishing to get even better. Our anglers willing to bundle up for our offshore species will continue to stay hot. Sheepshead and snapper catches will continue to improve for the angler looking to bring home some tasty fillets. 

If a half or full-day inshore fishing trip is in your stocking, you can expect to see some or all of our go-to species take your bait; there aren't too many places where you can spend half a day on the water and catch a dozen different species on the same stretch of creek.

As we all bid 2023 farewell, we look back on a year of memories—a year of challenging weather and regulation changes that we navigated together. We look forward to a new year and new season in 2024. Whether you celebrate by popping corks for champagne or redfish, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. May this year be filled with tight lines, new friends, old fishing spots, and personal bests.