Crystal River, Citrus County, FL
Partly Cloudy
·
83°F
·
Feels 89°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Pattern day — fish are predictable. Work structure and watch the feeding windows.
80-150lb mono leader with crimps
Tarpon require heavy, abrasion-resistant leaders; their mouths are tough and bony
Classic fiddler crab or jig head setup
Ideal for piers — work pilings and structure with precision
Fresh live shrimp with 8-15 lb monofilament
Natural presentation for seatrout, snapper, and permit around pilings
Popping cork with live or dead shrimp below
Attracts seatrout and other gamefish; creates commotion that triggers strikes
Local Fishing Resource
Hudson Beach, Anclote River, and the transition zone
Open the Pasco County Cheat Sheet
Centropomus undecimalis
Prized sport fish found around mangroves and inlets. Sensitive to cold temperatures.
Local Notes: Stack under the lights at Cattle Dock Point after dark during season. Live pilchards or threadfin herring are deadly.
Paralichthys albigutta
Flatfish common in coastal bays and flats. Excellent eating and popular sport fish.
Local Notes: One of the most common catches in the Big Bend at Cattle Dock Point. Slow-drift live shrimp near bottom or crawl a white jig across sandy bottom.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold tight to the structure at Cattle Dock Point. Fish small live shrimp or pilchards close to the pilings on light leader.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Abundant around the pilings at Cattle Dock Point year-round. Fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp on a light jig head are your best bet.
Trachinotus carolinus
Excellent eating fish found in surf. Silver body with yellow fins.
Local Notes: Run along the beach near the base of Cattle Dock Point. Sand fleas and small jigs in the 1/4-oz range.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Patrol the edges of Cattle Dock Point and the surrounding flats, especially on falling tides.
Scomberomorus maculatus
Fast-swimming pelagic fish with gold spots. Common in spring and fall.
Local Notes: Blitz through Cattle Dock Point during bait runs. Silver spoons and Gotcha plugs at a fast retrieve.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Work the drop-off around Cattle Dock Point with DOA Shrimp or live pilchards, especially at first light.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Roll near Cattle Dock Point during spring migrations. Large live mullet or blue crabs.
Lobotes surinamensis
Unusual fish that likes to hide under floating objects. Excellent table quality.
Local Notes: Hang around crab trap buoys, floating debris, and channel markers near Cattle Dock Point. Sight-cast a live shrimp — approach quietly.
