November Fishing in Crystal River
November is nearly over, and we can smell the turkey in the oven. As the waters around Crystal River begin to cool, our target species begin to change. Many of our summertime fish like cobia, mackerel, and sharks are making their way south to warmer water. We can expect them to start showing up again in Citrus County around March. Just because there is a chill in the air doesn't mean we are going to have the bite cool off, though. We still have numerous inshore and offshore species that keep us busy with tight lines and full coolers.
Our winter low tides have made fishing the backwaters a challenge. As a result, the redfish bite hasn't been nearly as hot as it was in October. For those who have ventured into the skinny water, there are healthy numbers of fish, albeit less aggressive than in warmer months. Live baits or slow-jigged DOA shrimp are the go-to options for slow-moving reds.
The cooler waters have brought a change to seatrout fishing too. As the waters continue to cool, we will see fewer undersized fish as they continue to move inshore, up the tributaries and backwaters. While there were fewer trout caught during the month, they all averaged larger than the previous month. Basically, we are trading the quantity of trout for the quality of trout. While live shrimp is never refused, a mirro-lure or white fluke bounced across the bottom during a moving tide is a seatrout catcher. Targeting areas with lots of “rock grass” is a surefire way to find gator-sized trout.
The gag grouper season is in full swing. Trolling for these delicious fish is what we on the Nature Coast love to do. The November winds have made some trips bumpier than we would like, but without a little discomfort, the reward doesn't feel as great. Anyone who has caught a gag grouper on the troll can attest to the fact that the reward is definitely worth the effort. The cooler water is allowing bigger fish to move into shallower water. Most of our best gag bites are happening in water between 15 and 30 feet. We have one more month of the gag season, and then it's catch-and-release only. Make sure to book your trip today.
Looking Ahead
December fishing in Crystal River can be some of the best offshore fishing of the whole year. The last month of gag grouper fishing can be as rewarding as it is challenging. When our waters cool down, the fish can become a little lethargic using conventional methods. Adjusting your technique and scaling back tackle often helps turn the bite around. Fishing with lighter gear adds another layer of excitement for anglers tangling with aggressive grouper.
Colder weather also means sheepshead fishing. Unlike the rest of the state, Crystal River lacks the large bridges that hold sheepshead. Sheepshead are instead targeted around the offshore rockpiles anywhere from 5 to 30 miles offshore. Using light tackle, we drop live shrimp down to the schooling fish, often in 20 to 40 feet of water. While a cooler full of sheepshead is always the goal, it's very likely that anglers will go home with a mixed bag consisting of keeper mangrove snapper and even hogfish that also frequent the offshore rock piles. All three species, along with grunts, can turn a day of fishing into a day of catching. The days around the full moon tend to produce the greatest numbers of mangrove snapper. For those looking at the calendar, the full moon for December is the 7th.
Looking to get on the
gag grouper bite before the season ends? Or maybe you are looking to set the whole neighborhood up with a fish fry, and we need to put you on a pile of mangroves and sheepshead. Whatever your fishing desires are, call or send us a message so we can get you on the water and hooked up. From our family at High Octane Fishing to yours: Have a happy Thanksgiving.
