Crystal River Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Mark Reeves
Crystal River, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Water is cooling down and the fishing is heating up. Trout bite has been great on the creek mouths. Look for the spotty bottom with kelp grass for you best results. A lot of slot size redfish and over slot are on the outer islands and also in the creek...

See Full Report & Photos >

Mark Reeves Crystal River, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Water is cooling down and the fishing is heating up. Trout bite has been great on the creek mouths. Look for the spotty bottom with kelp grass for you best results. A lot of slot size redfish and over slot are on the outer islands and also in the creek mouths Feeding on mud minnows and shrimp. Incoming tide has the best bite. Gag grouper are stacked up on the rocks in 5ft to 12ft of water.

Scroll for more Close

Bill Ryan
Inverness, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Swords are biting off SE Florida! This 110 pounder was taken Saturday November 26 off Pompano Beach. There was a report of a 450 pounder caught the same day. Come fishing with us!

See Full Report & Photos >

Bill Ryan Inverness, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Swords are biting off SE Florida! This 110 pounder was taken Saturday November 26 off Pompano Beach. There was a report of a 450 pounder caught the same day. Come fishing with us!

Scroll for more Close

Leon Hampton with Reel Time Outfitters
Hernando, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

The trout bite is hot right now in 2 to 3 1/2 feet of water using a 5 1/2 inch jerk bait from D.O.A in the color glow with a 4/0 circle hook in the nose of the bait or under a cork. Shrimp under a cork rig is working...

See Full Report & Photos >

Leon Hampton with Reel Time Outfitters Hernando, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

The trout bite is hot right now in 2 to 3 1/2 feet of water using a 5 1/2 inch jerk bait from D.O.A in the color glow with a 4/0 circle hook in the nose of the bait or under a cork. Shrimp under a cork rig is working good to on a 1/4oz Jighead.

Scroll for more Close

Jason Lowe
Citra, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

October has been a great month to fish. It truly has been ‘red October’. The redfish bite has been on fire. November will bring some cold front patterns but the bite should stay strong. Just be patient. After a big cold front, the fish may be more lethargic than usual...

See Full Report & Photos >

Jason Lowe Citra, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

October has been a great month to fish. It truly has been ‘red October’. The redfish bite has been on fire.
November will bring some cold front patterns but the bite should stay strong. Just be patient. After a big cold front, the fish may be more lethargic than usual so you may have to fish artificial bait a little slower than you like.
Live shrimp and cut mullet will still be good for redfish as well.
You may have to start looking to the creek mouths for fish as the water gets colder. A popping cork rig will help keep you off the oyster bars.
Thankfully, our cold fronts don’t last too long and it can be back in the 80s pretty quick this time of year.
I know I keep saying this but just in case.....keep in mind that the redfish laws changed as of September 1st. Go to the myfwc website to get the latest info depending on the region you fish.
The trout bite is starting to pick up. The water in Cedar Key is still a bit dirty but the trout are getting on the flats. Just keep working spots until you find them.
Stay safe and be blessed!

Scroll for more Close

Brian Harris
Hudson, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Fishing has been great! All species have been biting good with cooling water temps. Snook, trout and reddish, as well as plenty of nice Cobia around.

See Full Report & Photos >

Brian Harris Hudson, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Fishing has been great! All species have been biting good with cooling water temps. Snook, trout and reddish, as well as plenty of nice Cobia around.

Scroll for more Close

Scott Wurtzel
Cedar Key, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

This couple limited today.

See Full Report & Photos >

Scott Wurtzel Cedar Key, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

This couple limited today.

Scroll for more Close

Jason Lowe
Citra, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Fall is so close you can almost taste it...well you can feel it in the air a little. I love this time of year-pumpkin spice lattes, fall decorations...nope! I love this time of year because the temps get more bearable, and the fishing gets great. September and October are probably...

See Full Report & Photos >

Jason Lowe Citra, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Fall is so close you can almost taste it...well you can feel it in the air a little. I love this time of year-pumpkin spice lattes, fall decorations...nope! I love this time of year because the temps get more bearable, and the fishing gets great. September and October are probably my favorite months to fish.
The redfish bite in Cedar Key is getting right. They school up this time of year and if you find one then there are probably more. Give them some time to eat. Shrimp, mullet and artificial lures are the way to go.
Keep in mind that the redfish laws changed as of September 1st. Go to the myfwc website to get the latest info depending on the region you fish.
I like to look for moving water. Anything where water is getting pushed or funneled through is a good place to start. If water is getting funneled through a tight spot, then bait is getting funneled through that same spot and bigger fish know that.
I also like to look for bait getting hit. If I see a lot of bait getting pushed around a natural funnel spot, then it can be a like a gold mine..or a redfish mine.
The trout bite has picked up some. The normal popping cork rig will work. Just keep searching the flats and you should pick them up. They should get better as the water temps cool down some. I still run with the Bass Assassin Sea Shad in a Green Moon color or a Stinky Pink color.
Enjoy some football and some fishing over the next few months. In an effort to multi task, you can always listen to the game on the radio while you are fishing!!

Scroll for more Close

Mark Reeves
Crystal River, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Water has cooled off a bit and the bite has fired up. A lot of slot and over-slot Redfish up to 40". Trout bite is also getting into full swing. Grouper bite has been good for the last week. Limit of quality fish hitting the deck.

See Full Report & Photos >

Mark Reeves Crystal River, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Water has cooled off a bit and the bite has fired up. A lot of slot and over-slot Redfish up to 40". Trout bite is also getting into full swing. Grouper bite has been good for the last week. Limit of quality fish hitting the deck.

Scroll for more Close