Fishing the many rock piles that line the foul area with large Rapala f18 Swimming Plugs has also shown to be a great way to get these hard fighting fish to bite in tough conditions. The snook bite continues to stay really strong on the hard incoming tides on the outside points using live bait and fast moving weedless jerkbaits. Catching a grouper isnt the hard part. What to expect on your upcoming charter? Casey is a god, basically the best fisherman ever. You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. Regardless of the method you choose, you can do a few things to improve your chances of catching a grouper fish. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Its that time of year again where anglers from all over the world descend onto the flats of Crystal River and Homosassa looking to accomplish one goal/life long quest: CATCH A BIG ASS TARPON ON FLY! Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. 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. Gag grouper season runs June 1st-December 31st. February 21, 2023. 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. 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. Although not as durable, frozen baits can get the job done as well. How shallow one may ask? 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. Skip to main content. Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. Shallow water or inshore fishing and grouper do not go hand in hand in most areas. If you are new to the area, new to inshore grouper fishing, or traveling from afar to come and try your hand at this unique fishing opportunity, a seasoned guide will be key. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! Come along with Captain Jayce on a fishing charter, and get ready to hook the catch of a lifetime. Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. We pair these up with 7' Daiwa Harrier X rods to land these beasts. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. If you choose to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River on a charter boat, your captain can help you hook the grouper of a lifetime! Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. 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. These fish are hearty and dont give up easily! Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. Captain, Owner, and Fishing Guide At Florida Fishing Adventures in Crystal River, Florida. 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. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. However, the reward has been well worth it for anglers willing to bundle up and put in the time. The action is a little . A pinfish is a small, edible fish with a long, narrow body, a small head, and prominent pectoral fins. A live bait, such as a pinfish, is grouper candy and is hard for them to resist. Consider the following advice on how to catch and hook the catch of a lifetime, right here in Crystal River, FL. Trying to decide what time of year tobook a trip? Looking for the best time of year to fish in Crystal River? Grouper is a delicious fish. All rights reserved. When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. Grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits. Happy Holidays Anglers. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. For most people, moderate intake of mercury in fish is not a concern, but you do want to be aware of what youre putting in your body, especially if you eat grouper frequently. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. One thing that makes our area special is the abilty to cast and troll for these fish. Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. Email Address: These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. 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. I love fishing the Nature Coast. Grouper are notorious for breaking anglers off in nearby structures; therefore, we have to use some seriously stout tackle. Come prepared for a strong swim. We went scalloping (not fishing). Trying to decide what time of year to book a trip? No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River 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. The captain can also offer bait if needed. Be sure to have beefy tackle adequate enough to stop these very strong fish from getting you back to the rocks. The best equipment for fishing for grouper is a heavy-duty rod and reel. #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper. Offering Inshore, Flats, Offshore, Scalloping, and Grouper fishing charters we have all your fishing needs covered here at High Octane Fishing Charters. Offering up to datefishingtips,scallopingstrategies, productive areas and hot baits. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. However, the inshore fishery here in Crystal River does just that. 2023 FishingBooker.com. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Had an amazing family on the boat today. An unusual water rescue was staged in a Florida river after witnesses reported a discarded fishing lure had somehow pinned a manatee's flipper to its face. I love fishing the Nature Coast. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. Water is nice and warm in the summer. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. 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. Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. And good to eat. All of the great guides here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters hope that 2022 was a prosperous year for everyone and we wish all of you the very best going into 2023. What is the key to snapper fishing in Crystal River, FL? Thats why so many people decide to go fishing for grouper in Crystal River! Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. Crystal River, FL 34429. The most prevalent of these features are rock formations. Most of our Grouper Fishing is done anywhere from 8-30 of water. ? 9340 W Fort Island Trail The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. The sun is no joke. There are some species that can grow quite large. If youre going on a party boat or a head boat, then you can expect to have a good time with your friends or family. Offering up to date, strategies, productive areas and hot baits. Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. When we were out, we had a descent breeze, but it's still really warm. All rights reserved. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. This is the place to be if you want to catch fish or just enjoy the water. read more Big Ol" Black Drum Sep 19, 2022 There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . 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. The water is beautiful but it is hot out so come prepared for lots of heat and sun. Sardines and threadfin herring are a good option if live bait isn't available. Learn all about the benefits of charter fishing here this time of year. 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!! Our numerous shallow water rock piles make our area arguably the best place to grouper fish in the state of Florida. Another way to target Grouper is with trolling plug. This is a popular spot with the locals with a great atmosphere. This can cause you to miss the fish. February 19, 2023. Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. Battle some of the hardest fighting fish in Florida all while experiencing the beauty of the Nature Coast on your guided fishing trip. We often see dolphins, manatees and tons of different species of birds, including white pelicans. Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Floridas Big Bend. #realsal, God! This will help you identify them when its time to go out on your fishing trip. John. However, in Crystal River Florida it does! 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. We look forward to hearing from you. Sport Fishing Slip The two most popular species of grouper and snapper in Crystal River are Gag Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. These young anglers put on a fishing cli. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. If you are fishing for a large grouper fish, try casting very far out into the water. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. The health benefits of this fish include low-fat content, omega-3 fatty acids, high protein, and a lot of vitamins. Its keeping it. Check out the May fishing report for Crystal River Fishing, offering insight on what's biting now! When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River. They can also be fished using live or dead bait such as cut fish or chicken parts. found some trout only one keeper. Be sure to lock down the drag and hold on tight as these fish will give it everything they got to get you down in the rocks. All of the great guides here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters hope that 2022 was a prosperous year for everyone and we wish all of you the very best going into 2023. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. But it is worth it to find the fish! This allows them to swallow large prey items like clams and crabs whole. 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. The speckled sea trout bite has been great the red fish are moving out to the outer islands wanting to feed plenty of sheep pad and mangrove snapper on the rock piles. The weather here in Crystal River this time of year is what we all dream of. 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? It sits on the Crystal River where you can swim with manatees. Some reservations may require a deposit. Inshore Half Day(4 Hours) 1-2 People, 20212023 Crystal River Sport Fishing. #realsal, God! Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Well as the old saying goes for every mile you venture off our coast it only gets a foot deeper.. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? Thats the word that comes to mind as I try my best to describe the latest fishing action here along the Nature Coast. Casey. We will be back., Irene Rubin Fort worth, Texas Great Guide- Great Fishing, Matt A. from Kill Devil Hills, NC I mean, capt. Although they are small, pinfishes can be quite tasty. However, they can also be found in temperate environments. Be sure to include the following on your next gag grouper fishing trip: Gag grouper fish are ambush predators, which means they hide in places where they can easily conceal themselves from their prey. Tip: arrive early as this restaurant gets very busy! S from Cincinatii, OH Had a great time on the water and caught fish for dinner. Again concentrate on the early morning and late afternoon bites for more success on the water in the dog days of summer. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. Typically, fishing the 8-25 foot range October-December allows anglers a chance to land the fish of a lifetime and take home some delicious fillets. Grouper has a subtle taste and it is not overly fishy. In addition to being convenient, going on a fishing charter is also cost-effective. 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. You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! There is something to do for everyone in our area. Its 2023 , and the new year is starting right with inshore and offshore action.Our water temps have been colder than average. It has high levels of mercury, which can cause problems such as bloody stool, mood swings, memory loss, or muscle weakness. Because its all about gag grouper fishing this time of year. We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. We get this question a lot. Keep it up. Meanwhile, gag grouper fish are known for their large mouths that give them a wide gape when feeding. Are you looking to go gag grouper fishing this fall? Contact Fish Hunter Tours and Captain Bryan Frechette for a great fishing trip. We went for Scallops. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. We look forward to. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. 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. As for the Redfishing here in Crystal River, it couldnt be any better. They can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean, as well as here in Crystal River, Florida. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping.