September has been all about grouper. With one of the longest gag grouper seasons we’ve had in years, we’ve taken full advantage of it. The weather has cooperated for the most part, allowing us to get out on the water almost every day with very few cancellations. And the gag grouper fishing has been excellent.
Gag Grouper
Excellent gag grouper fishing has been found in just about any depth past 10 feet, with 20 to 40 feet being my favorite depth to target them right now. Large live pinfish, pigfish, and grunts have been our go to baits. We’ve been finding plenty of fish on the typical rock piles, ledges, and structure, and the shallower water has produced some surprisingly good fish.
One thing that has made things interesting this month has been the large amount of floating grass offshore. It has made trolling difficult in a lot of areas and has also been hard on livewell pumps and filters. If you’re running offshore, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on your intakes and checking them regularly.
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove snapper have almost been an afterthought this time of year with all the attention on grouper, but we’ve had some excellent snapper fishing lately. Honestly, this is some of the best September snapper fishing I’ve personally seen in years. We’ve been catching some really good-sized fish, with a few pushing the 5 to 6 pound range.
Small live pinfish have been a great bait, and another favorite has been shrimp fished on a 1/8-ounce jig head. These fish are showing up on many of the same grouper rocks, generally in 20 to 60 feet of water. If you’re heading offshore for grouper, it’s definitely worth spending some time looking for the snapper as well.
Red Grouper
It’s always pretty cool to start catching red grouper as bycatch while targeting gag grouper. The most consistent red grouper fishing is going to be in 80 feet of water and deeper, but it’s definitely not uncommon to find a few keepers in shallower water mixed in with the gags.
The deeper areas have
been producing some solid fish, and they’re a great bonus when you’re already out there targeting grouper.
Inshore Redfish
September is one of my favorite times of year for big redfish. This is the time of year when the larger reds school up before making their move offshore to spawn. Some of the guides who strictly target inshore fish have been putting together some excellent catches lately. Live pinfish, mullet, and greenbacks fished around the spoil banks have all been productive. Look for the fish around deeper edges, points, and areas where bait is concentrated.
Looking Ahead
We’ve already had a couple of cold fronts move through, and that means fall is officially on the way here in Crystal River.
Fall is by far my favorite time of year to fish. The cooler weather makes being on the water much more enjoyable, and some of our best fishing of the year is just ahead. Hogfish are about to really fire off, and October, November, and December are typically some of my favorite months to target them. We’ll also continue to see good mangrove snapper fishing as we move into the cooler months.
The federal for hire recreational red snapper season runs through October 25, so there’s still a little time for anyone wanting to make one last run offshore for them. If you’ve been putting off that offshore trip, now is a good time to get it on the calendar.
Overall, September has been a great month around Crystal River, and with fall conditions approaching, there’s a lot to look forward to. Want to get out on the water? Fall is one of the best times of year to fish Crystal River. Book your trip with High Octane Fishing and let’s go find some fish!
Check out some of our other reports!
By Capt. Nick Warrington
•
August 31, 2026
August has definitely been a change of pace for me. This is my first year in a while that I haven’t spent the entire summer running scalloping trips, so I’ve had a little more time to focus on our offshore and inshore fishing. And honestly, the fishing has made the change pretty easy! We’ve had some ex cellent catches lately, with strong numbers of snapper and grouper and plenty of bait showing up throughout the area. With gag grouper season just around the corner, things are really starting to line up for what should be an awesome fall.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
•
July 18, 2026
July is in full swing, bringing hot weather, afternoon thunderstorms, and some great fishing opportunities along the Nature Coast. If you can get an early start and stay ahead of the weather, the fishing has been well worth the effort. Red Snapper Red Snapper fishing has been best in 100 feet of water and deeper. There hasn't been many quality catches inside of that depth lately so be prepared for a long ride. Frozen threadfin herring and sardines have been producing the majority of the fish. One challenge has been the sharks, they’ve been relentless over the past couple of weeks. On some spots, it’s been nearly impossible to get a snapper to the surface before a shark gets to it, so don’t be afraid to move if they’re becoming too much of a problem.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
•
June 1, 2026
There’s plenty happening on the Nature Coast right now. Gag Grouper season dates have been announced, Red Snapper season is underway, and anglers are finding success on everything from Mangrove Snapper to Cobia. Here's the latest from Crystal River. Gag Grouper Dates Released The dates are officially set for Gag Grouper season, running September 1st–30th. Some are upset, some are happy but with back to back years of 14 day seasons we'll happily take it! The good news is the fish are here. Gags have been fired up lately, and we've caught them everywhere from 5 feet of water out to 105 feet. There’s certainly no shortage of fish around, and the upcoming season is shaping up to be a good one. We still have a few openings available for both full-day and half day trips.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
•
May 4, 2026
April is that transition month for us here in Crystal River and we’re starting to see a noticeable shift both inshore and offshore. Water temps are climbing int o the 70’s, and with that comes the first real push of our springtime migration. Cobia, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and sharks have all started to show up in the area.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
•
March 20, 2026
Sheepshead Sheepshead season is winding down, but the bite has still been very good while it lasts. We’ve seen strong numbers throughout February and into early March, with some quality fish in the 6–8 pound range. Most fish are being caught in 8 to 35 feet of water around rock piles and structure, with live shrimp continuing to be the bait of choice. If you’re looking to get in on this bite, now is the time to go before it wraps up and we wait until next January for it again.
By Capt. Nick Warrington
•
March 12, 2026
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
•
March 12, 2026
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
•
January 23, 2026
Winter fishing in Crystal River is in full swing, and while cold fronts and weather windows have made things a little tricky at times, the fish are still cooperating for those willing to pick their days. December and January bring some of our favorite opportunities of the year, with solid offshore bottom fishing and dependable inshore action when conditions line up. Here’s a breakdown of what we’re seeing on the water.
By Nick Warrington
•
January 1, 2026
Crystal River has arguably the best sheepshead fishing in the state of Florida. Learn about them with our sheepshead fishing guide! How, Where, and When to target sheepshead.
