A New Year Brings New Fishing Opportunities
January in Crystal River isn’t just about resolutions—it’s about manatees, fishing gear, bait, and catching a cooler full. Tourism wise the town is buzzing. Winter time brings in travelers from around the world to swim with the manatees. Our springs pump 72 degree water year round providing refuge for the temperature sensitive manatees during the cooler months. Bet we've been seeing a couple dozen or more on our inshore trips lately.
For anglers, winter doesn’t slow anything down here. If anything, the crisp conditions invigorate the fishing scene, offering better chances to snag some impressive catches. Whether you’re enjoying a solo venture or a family outing, Crystal River provides some great fishing opportunities.
Sheepshead Season is Here
One of the most exciting highlights for January is the arrival of sheepshead season—and it's off to a promising start. These striped beauties, also known as “convicts,” are a favorite catch for anglers in the area. Known for their tasty, firm white meat, sheepshead are already starting to gather around their offshore hideouts in Crystal River.
Pro Tips for Sheepshead Fishing
Sheepshead are notorious for their subtle, sneaky bites, but in the winter time you can throw all that out the window. Using live shrimp as bait over offshore rock piles in 8-40' angler can load up on some very nice convicts. What rock piles hold sheepshead? Is something that we get asked often. You can expect 1/10 of your favorite grouper spots hold them. Knowing how to use your sonar can really narrow it down as sheepshead show up pretty good on your electronics. Driving around the spot till you find the school helps a lot. This month, anglers have reported landing larger-than-average sheepshead—a great sign for those heading out!
Mangrove Snapper Catches Are Still Going Strong
If you’re seeking consistent action, mangrove snapper should be on your radar this month. Known for their aggressive bites and tasty fillets, mangrove snapper remain a hot commodity in Crystal River’s waters even in winter. The average size of them increases over the next month or two.
Free lining live shrimp behind the boat is always my personal favorite to get the larger mangoes that are boat shy. Best Fishing is going to be found in 20-45'. Expect to catch a lot of bycatch such as grunts, grouper, sheepshead, hogfish etc.
Excellent Spotted Sea Trout Fishing
For those who prefer fishing in calmer, shallower waters, spotted sea trout have been putting on a spectacular show in Crystal River’s backcountry. Winter is an especially productive time for inshore fishing, with trout activity peaking when temperatures stabilize after the occasional cold front.
Best Times to Fish for Spotted Sea Trout
While fishing conditions can vary, the period directly after a cold front often tends to be slower. However, on most days, the waters warm quickly, and anglers are rewarded with good numbers of eager to feed trout. Soft plastic lures (5" DOA fluke in glow) or live shrimp under a popping cork are highly effective in attracting trout.
If you haven’t already planned your trip, now’s the time to grab your gear, hop in the boat, and take advantage of our cool weather fishing.
Get out there and make this January one to remember, rod in hand and fish on the line.
Check out some of our other blog posts:
By Nick Warrington
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February 5, 2025
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.
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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.
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January 8, 2025
Looking for a unique way to connect with your team, clients, or family? A group fishing trip in Crystal River, Florida, is an unforgettable experience that combines fun, camaraderie, and relaxation in a beautiful setting. Whether you’re planning a corporate team outing, client appreciation event, or a family reunion, fishing the Nature Coast of Florida offers a perfect balance of adventure and bonding.
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January 3, 2025
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.
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November 20, 2024
Past couple of months have been a whirlwind for us here in Crystal River, Florida, between trying to make the most of our extelmly short grouper season and getting back to back hurricanes. Let's take a look at what's been happening on the water and what you can expect as we move forward.
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August 27, 2024
Discover expert tips on catching hogfish in Florida. Learn about the best gear, bait, and techniques to make your fishing adventure a success.
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Looking for the best time of year to fish in Crystal River? Learn where, when, and how to catch fishing in Crystal River, Florida with High Octane Fishing Charters. For species such as Grouper, Red Snapper, Snook and Redfish.
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August 22, 2024
The Redfish Run August marks a prime time for redfishing in Crystal River. From now until the end of September, both "Bull" reds and slot fish are staging before heading offshore to spawn. These fish are in abundance, making it an ideal time for anglers of all experience levels to get in on the action. Cut ladyfish, mullet, or live pinfish, are your best bets. But when you get in a frenzy they'll eat just about anything. It's not uncommon to catch them on a bare jig head this time of year when they're fired up. Be sure to your baits fresh (especially cut baits) as pinfish will peck your hooks clean. Redfish are known for their love of structure. The miles long line of rock that jets out from the power plant is almost a redfish highway this time of year. Great fishing can still be found around the mangrove islands and surrounding flats. Early mornings you should be able to see these fish "pushing" in the shallows. Cast your baits way in-front of them and get ready for some drag screaming fun.
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