Crystal River, Citrus County, FL
Sunny
·
83°F
·
Feels 82°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Local Fishing Resource
Hudson Beach, Anclote River, and the transition zone
What's Inside
Centropomus undecimalis
Prized sport fish found around mangroves and inlets. Sensitive to cold temperatures.
Local Notes: Ambush from the banks at Halls River on tidal changes. Dawn topwater (Zara Spook, MirrOlure Twitch) before switching to swimbaits.
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 Halls River. Slow-drift live shrimp near bottom or crawl a white jig across sandy bottom.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Migrate through Halls River on their way upriver. Rolling fish are visible — free-line a live mullet or crab at the edges.
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Feed on the bottom of deeper bends in Halls River. Shrimp or sand flea on a knocker rig.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold in deep bends and around any overhanging structure at Halls River. Light fluorocarbon with live shrimp.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Push into Halls River on incoming tides. Work weedless gold spoons along the grass banks.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Congregate around dock pilings and fallen trees in Halls River. Fiddler crabs produce the most bites.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Seek the deeper river holes at Halls River during cold spells. Slow-sink MirrOlures at first light.
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 Halls River. Sight-cast a live shrimp — approach quietly.