TYPES OF FISH

SALTY SOUL FISHING CHARTER OF CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF FISH TO EXPECT IN CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA.

INSHORE FISH

Redfish

It a very good game fish. Rock flats, open gulf and passes are the places where you can find these fish. For spawning, they move offshore. A variety of artificial baits and lures are effective for redfish. They can be caught throughout the year but the prime time for them is from March to December.

Trout

It is the most abundant inshore fish and very exciting to catch. This is because they are schooling fish and if you catch one, it is very likely to catch more from the same spot. This popular game fish can be caught by using top water plugs or soft plastics. If you use live bait or shrimp, no one can stop you from catching trout. Average trout caught here is 15-20 inches long.

Mangrove Snapper

In Crystal River it is usually caught while fishing for other species. They are usually caught near areas where tidal flow is strong. They are very good targets of light tackle. Effective live baits are shrimps and baitfish. You can catch almost 100 a day.

Grouper

Tarpon

Tarpon or silver king is every angler’s dream fish to catch. They are located from a distance by observing the rolling motion of the fish. Best baits to catch tarpon include crabs, threadfin, pinfish and herrings. The best time for tarpon in the Crystal River is from April to July.

Flounder

Cobia

Cobia is speed and power thanks’ to its forked tail. It is one of the tough fighting fish found in the Crystal River. It can reach a minimum length of 33 inches. You can find them in open bays, backcountry grass flats, and Gulf wrecks. For the cobia, the ideal line is 15-30 lbs. Squid, shrimps, and eels are great baits for cobia.

Spanish mackerel

You can find them under baitfish schools in bays and gulf. During the fight, they occasionally jump and run very swiftly. Various artificial lures mimicking baitfish are rewarding. Live pilchards are hands down the best for mackerel.

Tripletail

These strange-looking fish can be found under anything that is floating such as markers .They get attracted to every type of bait. Hooking them is very easy but as they use their surrounding for escape it is very problematic to keep them on the line. They remain close to shore in estuaries and inlets from March to November.

Permit

Sheepshead

It is a target of light tackle and a local favorite. It can be very challenging to catch or locate them as they live in areas with an abundance of food or a lot of rocks. Productive baits for them are fiddler crab or shrimps.

Pompano

Closely related to permits, pompano inhabits the nearshore and inshore areas such as flats, beaches, etc. They are good targets for light tackle.

Black drum

They inhabit nearshore, offshore and inshore areas. During cold months, they are one of the primary targets. They can be caught like their cousins, Redfish. A baitfish or crab can be very successful bait.

Ladyfish

They display acrobatic moves and runs while screaming when they get hooked. You can find ladyfish anywhere. Ladyfish schools contain millions of fish at a time during summer, spring and fall. If you throw hook even without bait in the school, you would catch one.

Rock bass

They live near shorelines with clear water and rocks. They are carnivores and can eat minnows, insects, and sometimes their offspring. Their weight is under one pound usually and can reach a length between six to ten inches.

Bonito

It is related to mackerel, tunas, and kingfish. They eat squids, crustaceans, and other fish as they are carnivorous, they migrate to find optimal temperature for survival. They can be found near the shore of deep in the sea. Live baits are perfect to catch them such as fish or crustaceans.

OFFSHORE FISH

Kingfish

They are the most sought out large fish present in the northern sides of the Crystal River. They are most abundant here during autumn and spring runs. You cannot find them in winter. Once it is caught it will run, dive down and finally get exhausted. After that, you can gaff it. The best way to catch it is to use a chum line and slowly drift or troll live baits.

Sharks

Shark fishing is very productive during the hot months. In Crystal River, you can catch tiger sharks, sharp nose, sandbar, blacktips, bull sharks, spinner, bonnethead, lemon, black nose, and hammerhead. For sharks, best live baits are mackerel, jacks, and ladyfish. Either cut baits are presented at the bottom or live bait is presented on the surface.

Black seabass

It is a type of grouper. It inhibits bottom areas offshore and inshore. They can grow as big as 20 inches in length and ten pounds. Until the cooler, they put up a great fight. Preferred live baits for catching black seabass include squid, shrimp, clam, and crabs. You can target them around structure such as rocks, reefs, wrecks, and pilings.

Red grouper

Catching them requires more patience than skill. They spawn offshore and then migrate to inshore waters to mature. They live around pilings, reefs, rocks, pilings, and wreck. They love to dig holes in the mud. They can grow as big as 23 inches. They have an average weight range of three to ten pounds.

Amberjacks

The main attraction to this fish is its fighting moves and ability. As they are powerful and big they strike very hard, pull forcefully, and dive with immense power towards the bottom. They live primarily near wrecks and reefs. They prefer water depths up to 240ft. They can also be found inshore.
Juvenile amberjacks move around in the form of schools whereas adults live a solitary life. The average weight range between twenty to forty pounds and they can reach a length of 6 feet.

Grunts

As compared to Grouper and snapper in the Gulf of Mexico these bottom dwellers are very under-acknowledged and appreciated. They can be caught no matter you are a newbie or a skilled angler. They love depths of water. They are abundantly found in less than or 80 feet deep water. They are related to tomtate and pigfish.