Crystal River Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Vince Morris
Crystal River, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Yesterday, waters and winds were very sporting. Half day fish with 1 guest. Caught a great variety. Table fare: 3 spotted seatrout, 2 mangrove snapper.

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Vince Morris Crystal River, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Yesterday, waters and winds were very sporting. Half day fish with 1 guest. Caught a great variety. Table fare: 3 spotted seatrout, 2 mangrove snapper.

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Jason Lowe
Citra, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Even with the crazy weather patterns, the fish are doing their thing and pretty much getting in their spring patterns. May is here and hopefully the weather will level out and get more consistent. Spotted trout can be caught on the flats in 3’-6’ of water. The normal popping cork,...

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Jason Lowe Citra, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Even with the crazy weather patterns, the fish are doing their thing and pretty much getting in their spring patterns. May is here and hopefully the weather will level out and get more
consistent.
Spotted trout can be caught on the flats in 3’-6’ of water. The normal popping cork, 3’ mono leader and 1/8 oz jig head will do the trick. I usually use a Sea Shad by Bass Assassin but any bait with a swim action will work. Green Moon and Stinky Pink are normally my go to colors. However, lately, due to all the wind, the water has been a little stirred up. If the normal plastics are not getting it done, switch to Gulp Shrimp. When the water is dirty, the scent of the Gulp baits can improve the bite.
Redfish are being a little inconsistent but that is just due to the weather. With the weather getting more consistent, the redfish bite will improve. For artificial bait, you can’t beat a gold spoon. I like the Aqua Dream brand spoon but there are plenty of other brands that will do the job. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits will be good choices too.
For live or cut bait, mullet is top on my list. My normal rig is a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce weight with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook. Mud minnows can be a game changer as well.
Snook are showing up but the season will close May 1st. Catch and release only May 1-August 31.
Get out on the water and have some fun with friends and family. Great friendships, connections and memories are made on the water.

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Justin Rolph
Crystal River, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Sheepshead have been really good and the redfish are getting back to normal as long as a cold front isn't coming through

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Justin Rolph Crystal River, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Sheepshead have been really good and the redfish are getting back to normal as long as a cold front isn't coming through

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Mark Reeves
Crystal River, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

The bites been a little tough between cold fronts. Having to work a little harder and cover a little more ground throughout the day to fine fish. The month of February will definitely be better as the water is warming up the sheep head are starting to bite the trout...

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Mark Reeves Crystal River, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

The bites been a little tough between cold fronts. Having to work a little harder and cover a little more ground throughout the day to fine fish. The month of February will definitely be better as the water is warming up the sheep head are starting to bite the trout are starting to spawn and red fish are starting to stage up on outer islands.

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Leon Hampton with Reel Time Outfitters
Hernando, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Trout,Redfish and Snook Now that the waters are warming up and the weather is getting back to normal. The fishing is going strong trout and redfish has been our target species but just to keep in mind snook season starts in March you don't want to miss out on a...

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Leon Hampton with Reel Time Outfitters Hernando, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Trout,Redfish and Snook
Now that the waters are warming up and the weather is getting back to normal. The fishing is going strong trout and redfish has been our target species but just to keep in mind snook season starts in March you don't want to miss out on a great catch.
For our trout and redfish right now they have been biting artificial lures. We have been using Z-man jerk shad's and Z-man TRD minnows. They Z-man jerk shad are on a Texas eye Jighead and the TRD minnows are on Ned rigs hooks.

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Janot Vilardell
Dunnellon, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Duck season is in full swing. We have an excellent migration this year and we are seeing many species in large numbers which we normally don't get very many of. Canvasbacks green winged teal wigeon gadwall and northern shovelers to name a few.

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Janot Vilardell Dunnellon, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Duck season is in full swing. We have an excellent migration this year and we are seeing many species in large numbers which we normally don't get very many of. Canvasbacks green winged teal wigeon gadwall and northern shovelers to name a few.

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Leon Hampton with Reel Time Outfitters
Hernando, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

The crappie and large mouth bass bite has been on fire right now here in Florida. We have been fishing on Lake Panasoffkee. For the Crappie aka Specks we have been using minnows on number 6 gold hooks under a slip cork they have been running in 4ft to 6ft...

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Leon Hampton with Reel Time Outfitters Hernando, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

The crappie and large mouth bass bite has been on fire right now here in Florida.
We have been fishing on Lake Panasoffkee. For the Crappie aka Specks we have been using minnows on number 6 gold hooks under a slip cork they have been running in 4ft to 6ft of water. We have had are best luck under the oak trees hanging over the water in the shadows.
The large mouth bass has been in the Hydrilla and a long the shoreline chasing bait out Florida bass are getting ready for the spawn in the next couple months. The big female will be pulling up on the beds around the shoreline's and docks. Use a rattle trap and a purple warm for your best results.

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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...

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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.

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