Redfish or Red Drum are schooled up prior to moving offshore to spawn. For those anglers looking for big knuckle-busting fish, this is the time of year for the over-slots. The outer mangrove islands and rocky points are the best areas to target these big fish. It's like Louisiana-style red fishing, tossing artificial baits into the structure and muscling big fish out of rocky outcroppings.
Fall Fishing in Crystal River Florida
Nick Warrington • November 1, 2023
Are you looking to avoid the crowds and experience some great fishing?
Nestled between the dog days of summer and "The Season," when snowbirds and partiers flock to Florida, fall is a magic time when fishing is great and the conditions are peaceful.
So, what makes fall so great for fishing in Crystal River? First off, we have fewer boats on the water. By Labor Day, most of the schools in the southeast and all of those in Florida are back in session, making for fewer young anglers cruising the shoreline and bays enjoying their summer break. Conversely, the snowbirds and most of our tourist population have yet to arrive; this group is a mixture of pleasure boaters and anglers eager to take in all the sunshine and coastline Crystal River has to offer. In just this way, fall makes for great fishing—fewer boats on the water. We aren't just talking about other fishermen pressuring the spots. Jetskis and pleasure craft slow navigation and unintentionally disturb the water.
The second reason is the weather is on average fantastic. While there is still some weather to contend with, on average, the weather in fall is cooler, drier, and less windy, creating great days offshore or inshore. Last but not least, the third factor is the fishing itself. Many of our favorite species began their harvestable season in the fall and, paired with the falling water temperatures, sure those bigger fish to move closer to shore. Let's face the fish is all we care about, but the lack of heat stroke and "qualified Captain" level boaters make a great icing on the cake.
While September is the Peak of hurricane season, fishing is head and shoulders above August. Fishing fires up as Large schools of bait begin to show up everywhere. Mullet begins to spawn in September. These baitfish will school up in acre-sized mats, creating absolute madness with birds, sharks, and game fish all leaping and diving through the schools. Sometimes, these mulet schools will be just feet off the beach; other times, they will be accessible to inshore boats only. These same water conditions cause our threadfin and greenback populations to school up further offshore.
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper season opens up. Gags are the species for us to target offshore, and we look forward to the opening on Christmas day. Downsizing tackle can really improve your September grouper catches.
Snook
Snook season opens up as well.
Just make sure you have a snook permit to keep these regulated fish. With cooling waters, the large breeder-sized fish begin moving in from their offshore spawning locations.
Redfish
If you're looking to catch a limit of mangroves near shore, this is the time of year. 5-15' of water can be very productive. A mangrove-torn trip in September is an excellent way to hook new anglers of any age.
Trout
For speckled trout, look for them to move in shallower from their summer cooler water hideouts offshore. Drift the "yellow bottom" or hard bottom flats in 5-7' of water. Gulp shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head or small bucktails produce well using this technique.
Mackerel
With pods of threadfin and greenbacks offshore, we can expect to see schools of Spanish and sometimes King mackerel harassing and slashing bait. Casting plugs, trolling spoons, and flatlining live baits are all great choices for "Macs" in September.
Scalloping
While scallop season is coming to an end, you can still capitalize on the last few weeks of scallop season. Many locals wait until the last of the season before collecting scallops for themselves. Yes, numbers are going to be lower than at the start of the season, but they will be a lot larger. Scallop season in our area ends September 24th.
October Fishing
In October, The first few cold fronts arrive. Cooling water temps improve inshore fishing tremendously. Although many guides only fish for grouper in October, fishing from many of our local species continues to be outstanding.
Mangrove snapper
Look for the bigger mangoves to push a bit deeper in October. You only need to be in 15' and beyond to catch keepers though. For conistencey 40-50' of water is where you want to be.
Redfish
The breeding-sized bulls have begun heading offshore and are starting to thin out, but overall, excellent fishing can still be had in Crystal River.
Snook
As if almost to trade places with the redfish, larger snook should start moving further inland with the declining water temps.
Surface plugs and soft plastic swim baits are popular choices, but a large snook rarely passes up a finger mullet.
Trout
moving shallower, too, the 3-4' deep flats begin to fire up. The shallow water oyster bars are also another prime location in October. With their versatility and ease of use, soft plastics have really become a favorite for October trout.
October is near peak season for Gags. There are plenty of fish in the 10-20' water range easily accessible to many boaters. Water has cooled off enough so that they'll hit artificial lures with consistency.
Hogfish
In 30' of water and beyond, expect to see higher catches of delicious hogfish.
Mangrove snapper- nearshore, they should start slowing down a bit. But in the 30' of water range and beyond, expect them to keep chewing.
Mackerel
As the larger king mackerel begins to clear out for a southern migration, October is probably your last shot at kingfish until spring. The Spanish mackerel, on the other hand, will hang around until the water dips below 65.
November Fishing
In November, cold fronts become numerous. On average, there is a day or so of "bad" weather per week. For this reason, many boasts switch to inshore fishing.
Mangrove snapper
Mangrove snapper in November is a deeper water game. Look for them in 30' and beyond. By targeting the deeper rockpiles with shrimp and jigs, you will most likely end up with a mixed bag of tasty species.
Hogfish
November is one of the best months to target these guys. As the cooler water condenses the area that many of these fish live in, you can expect to see more of them show up to the fillet table.
Trout
Trout fishing takes off in November. These fish become aggressive in the falling temperatures and catches go from good to great. Large weedless flukes become our main lures of choice. Typically, fishing for these fish in 4' of water or less. Having some live shrimp on hand is always a good choice on the day after a cold front.
Redfish
Having spawned already, the redfish, Like our snook, begins to filter back to the shallows further inshore. Live shrimp is a great bait during the cooler months as the pinfish that usually tear them up have thinned out.
Snook
November is the last month of snook season. By this point, many of the snook are located inside the main river or in deep water holes in the backcountry. Shallow-water fishing is the most productive method in November.
Gag Grouper
November brings the best gag grouper fishing of the year by far. Look for them to be chewing on just about any rock from 8' of water out to 50'.
Amberjack
Regulations on AJ's change every year, but typically, amberjack season opens up in November. While hunting for "reef donkeys," look for the wrecks in 50-70' to be very productive.
From Amberjack to Scallops Crystal River has it all. Between migrations or fish, and delayed migrations of people there is no better time to access the incredible fishing the area has to offer than in the fall. So if you are hoping to catch a cooler full of mangrove snapper, or feel the burn battling big bull reds let us put you on the fish.
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