for goliath grouper in Crystal River prices can range anywhere from $400 to $600, but the average price for a full day for goliath grouper in Crystal River is $500. Tons of redfish, trout, mackeral, and cobia invading the area. . I honestly cant say that I blame those fun loving beachgoers for wanting to soak up some sun during the spring break season here in Florida. A beautiful scenery paired with a healthy and thriving habitat provides an amazing estuary for fish such as, When it comes to fishing, the gag grouper can be a challenge. If youre thinking about heading out on the water to catch one, be sure to come along with Crystal River Sport Fishing! 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. Some anglers like to use lures or bait, while others prefer to simply wade into the water and cast their line out. I love fishing the Nature Coast. They are intelligent and fast-moving, so catching them takes some skill. Bring a rain jacket just if you fish in the summer. 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. 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. The gag groupers mouth can also open up wider than most other fish because it has muscles that allow it to expand and contract. Copyright Reel Florida Fishing Charters 2019-2021, Crystal River Little League Opening Day!!! With temperatures averaging in the low to mid-50's at times, the fish have been less aggressive than normal. Great fishery, things heat up in the warmer monthes.. April is stormy and unpredictable. With the Thanksgiving holiday on our doorstep and Christmas right around the corner many families are planning their annual family fishing trips to the Nature Coast and wondering what the action has been like. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. We get this question a lot. Bring a hat and sunblock and a good attitude, there's gold here!!! Gag grouper fishing is an exhilarating experience in Crystal River, FL. This is the time of year to start making plans and getting your spot locked in for this fishing opportunity. Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Florida Fishing Adventures. Battle some of the hardest fighting fish in Florida all while experiencing the beauty of the Nature Coast on your guided fishing trip. Summer time mangrove snapper fishing is always a target to keep the rods bent free lining live shrimp in 10-20 feet you can expect mangroves from 2-5lbs along with grunts, hogfish and the occasional grouper. 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. Throwing lures is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch them. We talked to a local angler who knows everything there is to know about catching these creatures in the waters of Crystal River. 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. No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! 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. Reel wise, a Daiwa BGMQ8000 can handle just about anything out there. Gag Grouper In Crystal River As December and the year 2022 come to an end; we can't help but savor the incredible year High Octane Charters has had. Again concentrate on the early morning and late afternoon bites for more success on the water in the dog days of summer. You've probably seen it on TV or you've seen it on YouTube: shallow water grouper fishing puts Crystal River on the map. Trying to decide what time of year to. There are multiple ways to target these fish all the way from fishing live bait, trolling lures, as well as even casting big plugs and soft plastics swim baits. 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. When youre looking for the best-hidden spots for fishing in Crystal River, we also have you covered! #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. They tend to stay close to the bottom where there is plenty of cover. Here at Crystal River Guide Service, Captain Casey is your local go-to inshore grouper fishing guide in Crystal River. Love th, Another tough winter day here in Florida. If so, lets talk about what they look like. Nice fishing! 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. Thats the word that comes to mind as I try my best to describe the latest fishing action here along the Nature Coast. Trolling Rapala Xraps or other hard baits across the top of the structure can produce very well by keying in on the Groupers aggression and triggering a reaction strike. While most anglers may think that targeting Grouper typically requires a long run offshore to deeper waters, many would be surprised to learn that the Nature Coast of Florida is the epicenter for targeting Gag Grouper in shallow water. Some of our favorite baits include the Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15, 20, and 30 as well as the FMAG 18. Gag grouper are present and fairly active all year long. They can be found in tropical and subtropical oceans all around the world, including off the coast of Florida, through the Caribbean to Brazil, and around the Pacific Ocean from California to Japan. These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. Large lipped plugs, jigs, and swimbaits can all be used as long as the hooks are beefy enough to handle the pull of a big grouper. All you have to do is pay for the charter. 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. Have fun and enjoy!! February 21, 2023. 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. These same big-lipped diving plugs have been all the rage for about three years among anglers trolling for grouper off Florida's Coastal Bend in the Gulf of Mexico. These are limestone formations that are not found in this many of a number anywhere along the Gulf coast except here. Let's start by saying grouper can be caught 365 days a year out of Crystal River, but the absolute best bite occurs during the fall as these large grouper push in closer to shore as our waters cool. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. Some species can grow quite large in fact, the largest recorded grouper fish was almost 700 pounds! This can create some outstanding fishing once they get comfortable. Crystal River is home to a unique shallow-water grouper fishery that is home to an extremely healthy population of gag grouper. Captain, Owner, and Fishing Guide At Florida Fishing Adventures in Crystal River, Florida. Try casting around these areas and luring in grouper with baits such as shrimp or squid strips. They are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing but are also fished for sport or food. Why is this cooler weather so special, you may ask? Grouper can be caught on a variety of lures like spoons and jigs, but they are smart fish, so you need to be strategic about the type of bait you use as well as your choice of equipment. Email Address: The health benefits of this fish include low-fat content, omega-3 fatty acids, high protein, and a lot of vitamins. 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 We found them! You wont be disappointed, 12645 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429. . More Info on Crystal River Grouper Fishing Charters, 2023 crystalriverguideservice.com All Rights Reserved | Page One Fishing. Back in early 60's the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Including Homosassa, Ozello, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa, and Cedar Key. The boat was comfortable and had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 5. That said, there is a peak activity season where most anglers switch to targeting them specifically. When is the best month to go goliath grouper fishing in Crystal River? Whats not to love about warm sunny days and ice-cold celebratory cocktails? Fishing reports for the Crystal River, Florida area, including Homosassa. INCREDIBLE!!! We went scalloping (not fishing). 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. If you want to catch a lot of grouper fish, you need to use the best bait for grouper. Redfish and Snook on fly + Grouper are lurking. We use 65lb braid and 100lb Fluorocarbon Leader to pull these fish from their homes. The waters can be choppy on the boat ride to fishing site. The mackerel bite was on ? Are you ready to hook some gag grouper? This allows them to swallow large prey items like clams and crabs whole. Over time the constant bombardment of dropping these heavy dummy bombs created large areas of scattered craters that have become perfect hiding areas for hungry Grouper. Visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: If you love nature, you wont want to miss out on this state wildlife park. Crystal River Grouper Fishing If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. As the cooler weather starts to set in, fall is upon us. Crystal River, FL 34429. Grouper are heavy fish and put up a good fight, so you want equipment that can withstand the stress without breaking. Really good fighting fish. The time we all look forward to has arrived once again: Grouper time! Youll ride along with an experienced captain ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable. S from Cincinatii, OH Had a great time on the water and caught fish for dinner. These locations are expansive flats with a unique ecology that draws in this awesome species of grouper. In less than 20 feet of water, gag grouper can be found patrolling the inshore waters of Crystal River. Trout bite is firing up. In fact, it has a slightly sweet taste and it has a texture that is easy to work with, even if you overcook it. Looks though our reports or subscribe to our reports! Welcome Spring Breakers!!! You can expect great red fishing especially in the early mornings and late afternoons, live bait and top waters have been a few key baits to get the job done. Consider using circle hooks when youre fishing for grouper in Crystal River. Our miles of hard rocky bottom provides an ideal habitat for these fish. Gag grouper are an ambush predator that loves to hide inside of structure. Its 2023 , and the new year is starting right with inshore and offshore action.Our water temps have been colder than average. Crystal River, Florida Fishing Report October 2021 Nick Warrington Oct 26, 2021 Shallow water grouper fishing has been hot! Email Address: Be sure to check out our new website and give us any feedback you might have. Cool mornings with warm afternoons making for a great fishing environment is what we live for. October is prime time for inshore and nearshore fishing in the Crystal River area of Florida. Sign me up as a fan Im often asked how we choose the guides that work with us here at Reel Florida Fishing Charters. Grouper is a delicious fish. Welcome to Tarpon Country ladies and gentlemen!!! A fishing charter is a great way to enjoy a day out with friends or family while catching fish at the same time. Email Us! No v, Get my money's worth out of this one!!! These fish are extreme tackle testers so you better be ready for the battle with some high quality gear and some beefed up tackle. There are many colors and patterns of grouper fish, but they are all characterized by large scales. Very knowedgable, very friendly and great fisherman. There can be a few cold fronts that move through, but . Let's work on making this year the best year ever!!!. It was a good find and something I could certainly use, a big Mann's Stretch 30 trolling plug. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? Florida Fishing in in October. The time we have all been looking forward to, cooler weather, has arrived here in Crystal River! All grouper fish have large, thick bodies and wide mouths, despite the fact that there are many species. If you catch a few and then don't see any for a while, don't get discouraged. I'm talkin, Don't let the grey beard fool you!!! Check out our June Fishing Report to learn the inside tips and tricks to catching grouper. However, they can also be found in temperate environments. There are others, but these two have the densist population and are the most readily available to target. A live pinfish on the bottom has given us the best outcomes so far this year. Check out the May fishing report for Crystal River Fishing, offering insight on what's biting now! Keep it up. Casey. #discovercrystalriver #pa, Catching a few fish on these rainy Florida days wi, Great day on the pond with my good friend James Ph. As the water temperature starts to drop into the low 70s, the Grouper start to swim (migrate) their way east. But just off its shores is a series of freshwater springs that attract numerous different species of fish from all over the Gulf Coast every year. Grouper fish are relatively easy to identify. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in root beer and watermelon red on a 1/4 ounce jig head. 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. You can expect your captain to be friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced when you go on a charter. | Sitemap, Website Design & Marketing by Hooked Marketing, Max: 4 Inshore & Grouper / Max: 6 Scalloping. The largest grouper fish recorded weighed almost 700 pounds! Learn all about it in our Oct fishing report. We have recently been fishing in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water yielding great limits of quality gag grouper. If you ever wondered about one of the best grouper fishing opportunities in the state of Florida, wonder no more. There are several ways to catch a grouper fish from shore. The weather this year has provided challenges and opportunities to change up our tactics and find fish in places where they maybe wouldnt have been in a normal" season. Grouper fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, but most have large scales. He or she will help you set up the gear, give you tips on how to catch fish. These lures track true straight out of the package and have good enough hooks to handle a quality grouper. 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks typically work great. Whether you're an inshore or offshore angler, there are incredible opportunities to catch some serious "dinners." The highlight, though, without a doubt, is chasing down shallow water grouper. Come out with Finders Keepers Charters and try to catch these tasty fish on light to medium tackle either bottom fishing or trolling lipped plugs. Tight Lines!!! This fish particularly has a lot of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Keep in mind that you dont want to set the hook when you use circle hooks. The Crystal River can be really shallow, so make sure you're out with an experienced captain. Grouper sandwiches have been plentiful as of late for our Crystal River clients. Pinfish are one of the most commercially important species in many areas of the world. A standard bottom rig with a live pinfish on the end is a combination they cant resist. 352-601-1963 #pathfinderb, Coming to a mailbox near you!! Post Hurricane Ian Fishing Report. Its a relaxing and exciting experience that allows you to connect with friends, family, and nature alike. They have small mouths and relatively large eyes. Great weather and great fishing. 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. What Fish Are Biting in Crystal River, FL, While fishing the Inshore waters of Crystal River the options are endless. You can certainly eat it if you wish! While these underwater structures hold gag grouper, it is not every single one of them. Had an amazing family on the boat today. The trout fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures we have been fishing from 12-16 feet slow jigging mirrolure little johns in . Every cold front pushes another wave of fish into the area. Richard P. from PA. Our group had a blast with Capt. Fish to 20 pounds are not unusual, and trust me, theres nothing like battling one of these bruisers on spinning tackle in shallow water. found some trout only one keeper. The action is a little . These fish have an uncanny ability to bury the rod and get off in the rocks. I love fishing the Nature Coast. My boy Andy's l, Great day on the pond targeting Reds on fly. Happy New Year anglers!! For example, the best time to go fishing for gag grouper is between June-December. Well as the old saying goes for every mile you venture off our coast it only gets a foot deeper.. Experience Crystal River waters with a licensed & insured local -- Captain Brandon Branch. Looking for the best time of year to fish in Crystal River? Pinfishes are demersal fish, meaning they spend most of their time in the shallow waters near the bottom of the ocean. These grouper, Another awesome day chasing tailing Redfish along, Good times today with the family here in Crystal R, Talk about a fun day!!!! Rock piles, ledges, or any underwater structure is a great place for a grouper to be hiding waiting for his next meal. Grouper works in a variety of dishes, including the classic fish sandwich. These young anglers put on a fishing cli. An egg sinker, swivel, circle hook, and your favorite leader is all you need to make the most effect rig for catching Grouper, the fish finder rig. You may have to swim against the tide, chase fleeing shellfish, etc. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean- and also right here in Crystal River, Florida. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Keep up the sunscreen and watch the weather because it can change in an hour. The most prevalent of these features are rock formations. They were a good size and plentiful enough to keep us busy. CRYSTAL RIVER FISHING REPORT Covering the inshore and offshore waters of Florida's Big Bend. We have a very unique fishery that allows us to catch quality Gag Grouper in less than 20 ft of water. 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. Dress warm in the morning and a bring a light rain jacket--you will get wet from sea spray. I would have never ever caught any of these massive reds with out his expertise. We often see dolphins, manatees and tons of different species of birds, including white pelicans. Curious about fishing for grouper in Crystal River? The crystal clear waters in this small city make it an awesome place to hunt for these elusive fish. Caught trout, Spanish mackerel, and red fish. Crystal River is a pristine coastal fishery that is known for epic battles with snook and tarpon, houses many of the most sought-after inshore species anywhere, but it also holds one of the most unique experiences found along Florida's coast - Shallow water grouper fishing! captnickwarrington@gmail.com. Crystal River, FL 34429, 2023 Crystal River Fishing Charters. Crystal River is a great place to go for fishing charters. We went for Scallops. Blindly searching can lead to endless hours of hit or miss fishing before finding the sweet spot. But it is worth it to find the fish! Whats so special about our area is the vast amount of natural rocks and ledges that hold these Grouper his time of the year. Exploring the Benefits of Crystal River Fishing Charters: The Top Reasons to Book Now, Snapper Fishing in 2023: What to Expect from Crystal River, FL, Where, When, and How: Catching Fish in Crystal River. This allows you to easily release the fish and improves the chance that it will live. Inshore, grouper, tarpon, scalloping, and fly fishing news. John. I'm a Native Floridian, and have been fishing the Homosassa, Crystal River, and Ozello area all of my life. One of the notable considerations of eating grouper is its mercury grade. This will allow you to cast over a larger area and increase your chance of catching one. Along the expansive grass flats here, rock formations make up nearly half of the bottom structures. Trolling lures are a great way to effectively cover ground and key in on the aggressive instinct of these strong fighters. Also, try casting behind the structure where you think the grouper might be holding out of reach. #realsal, God! Pete's charges $5.00 to park on their lot, but that is covered if you book through FishingBooker. Caught over grass flats with sabiki rigs or traps, these frisky baits are sure to catch a grouper's eye. Back in early 60s the US Navy used our coastal waters to test dummy MK 82 bombs and Mk 76 smoke bombs. Read Crystal River fishing reports from March 2023. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". The water is beautiful but it is hot out so come prepared for lots of heat and sun. Some reservations may require a deposit. Usually, between 8 and 30 feet of water, these structures provide habitat for baitfish, other species (snapper and grunts for example), and provide ample ambush points for gags to hide in. Fishing Reports Catch Us Book Now (813) 486-4642 Your Ultimate Fishing Adventurein Crystal River Starts Here! Some days we start by locating the fish with large chunks of mullet strategically placed all along the mangrove island bank, once we find the fish we hone in on that location and get to Catching. Learn all about the benefits of charter fishing here this time of year. The redfish and trout where great for dinner. Learn where, when, and how to catch fishing in Crystal River, Florida with High Octane Fishing Charters. Summer time is our rainy season. These young wranglers kept the rod, bent all day. Or looking for where to fish in your own vessel? We are the experienced fishing character that can help you catch grouper, along with many other types of fish. You can feel the shear stopping power of these fish when they hit the lure. Shallow water or inshore fishing and grouper do not go hand in hand in most areas. At the same time, they are some of the best-tasting fish in the ocean and most do just fine with a cooler full of these two. Crystal River is a great place to go for both saltwater and freshwater fishing charters. 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!! When to Catch Grouper in Crystal River One of the Florida Gulf Coast's greatest fishing experiences is found in Crystal River.