Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Crystal River (Full Guide)
Crystal River offers plenty of opportunities to have a good time and experience great fishing in Florida. Boasting hundreds of varieties of seasonal and year-round species of fish, Crystal River is truly a fisherman’s dream spot and should be on every fisherman’s bucket list.
The best time to fish near Crystal River for sailfish, tarpon, spotted seatrout, mahi-mahi, and cobia is from January through September. The best times for amberjack, grouper, and king mackerel are November through March.
| Fish Species | Best Times to Fish in Crystal River |
| Amberjack | December-February are the best months; March & November offer decent fishing. |
| Barracuda | March-October are the best months; November-February offers decent fishing. |
| Blue Marlin | April & May are the best months; June-August offers decent fishing. |
| Grouper | November-March are the best months; April-October offers decent fishing. |
| King Mackerel | October-April are the best months; May & September offer decent fishing. |
| Mahi Mahi | April-August are the best months; March & September offer decent fishing. |
| Permit | May-August are the best months; April & September offer decent fishing. |
| Tarpon | June-October are the best months; May & November offer decent fishing. |
| Sailfish | January-April are the best months; May can be good fishing for sailfish. |
Crystal Springs is a beautiful area in west-central Florida, just north of Tampa. This area is home to a diverse selection of areas to fish at, making it a great destination for any angler. Crystal Springs is well known for its tarpon fishing, but there are plenty of other species available in the area.
Best Time to Fish Crystal River
The best time to go fishing depends a lot on the angler’s favorite fish species. Some species of fish are active year-round, so fishermen can target them at any time of the year.
Some species are active during the cold months. However, the vast majority of fish species get active when the weather becomes warmer and the water temperature rises.
Fishing season in the waters of Crystal River starts in March and lasts until November. Among fish species that anglers can catch in spring are amberjack, black seabass, largemouth bass, crappie, redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, and tarpon.
Summer is a great time to target grouper, tarpon, trout, redfish, and snook. Such species as black seabass, redfish, tarpon, sheepshead, spotted trout, and snook bite well in fall.
Crystal River Species Breakdown: Best Times & Seasons
Amberjack
Amberjack gets active during the cold months. Amberjack fishing in the Crystal River is productive between March and May and between October and December. Homosassa is one of the best places to target amberjack in the Crystal River.
Redfish
March-April and July-September are the best times of the year to target redfish. Redfish often bite early in the morning. Bayport is the perfect place to target redfish.
Snook
Snook is active year-round. However, the best months to fish for snook in the Crystal River are July and August. Snook often bites well at dawn and at dusk. It makes a lot of sense to fish for snook right on the Gulf’s doorstep.
Spotted Seatrout
The best time of the year to fish for spotted seatrout in the Crystal River is April–October. Spotted seatrout bites well in the morning. Fishing for spotted seatrout is excellent in the place where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Cobia
Cobia is active when the weather is getting warmer and the water temperature rises. Cobia fishing season in the Crystal River starts in April and finishes in July. Cobia is often caught near Homosassa.
Grouper
Anglers catch grouper in the Crystal River between the early summer and the early winter. The best months to fish for grouper are November and December. Fishermen usually get bites of grouper during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Grouper can be found near Bayport.
Flounder
Flounder fishing in the Crystal River area is the most productive in the late summer and early fall. Anglers usually get bites of flounder in the early morning and late afternoon. Fishing for flounder is excellent near Homosassa.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead is active during the cold months. Sheepshead fishing season in Crystal River starts in the late fall and finishes in the early fall. It’s a great idea to target sheepshead near Hernando Beach.
Spanish mackerel
The season to catch Spanish mackerel in the waters of the Crystal River begins in the early spring and finishes in the late fall. Spanish Mackerel fishing is the most productive between May and September. It makes sense to fish for Spanish mackerel in the waters near Hudson.
Tarpon
The season to catch tarpon in the Crystal River starts in April and finishes in October. The best time of the year to enjoy tarpon fishing is May-August. Go fishing to Homosassa to enjoy battling tarpon.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Recommended Fishing Charters near Crystal River
These Crystal River-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Live Action Fishing Adventures | River, Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Reef & Flats |
| Reel Time Outfitters | River, Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Reef & Flats |
| Finntastick Fishing Charters | Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Reef & Flats |
| AJ Brown Fishing Charters | River, Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Reef & Flats |
| Finders Keepers Charters | River, Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Reef & Flats |
| Stars & Stripes Charters LLC | Backcountry, Inshore, Nearshore, & Flats |
| Cast N Reel Fishing Charters Of Crystal River | River, Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Reef & Flats |
| Fish Hunter Tours | Backcountry, Inshore, Nearshore, & Flats |
Best Time of Day to Fish Crystal River
It’s crucial for anglers to study the bite times of target fish species carefully and plan their trips accordingly. Fishing in the Crystal River is the most productive in the early mornings and late evenings.
Crystal River Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides cause the movement of water and affect fishing in the Crystal River. There is a direct link between the tide times and the best fishing bite times. Fish tend to feed actively when there is the movement of water. The best fishing conditions are created during an incoming tide.
Water that enters the area contains a high amount of oxygen and has better clarity compared to the existing water in the area. That’s why the activity of fish increases.
Is Winter Fishing Bad in Crystal River?
The weather is getting colder and water drops during the winter months. That’s why many fish species become inactive and fishing is less productive in the winter.
On the other hand, some species of fish get active during the cold months. There are also fish species that anglers can target year-round. So, winter fishing is good in the Crystal River.
It’s possible to fish for trout, redfish, and sheepshead in December. January is a great time to target redfish and speckled trout. It’s important to note that fishing is very productive in the bays near Hernando Beach at this time of the year.
Fishing for trout and redfish is more productive in the Crystal River in February. On top of that, fishermen can target such species of fish as black drum, flounder, sheepshead, and snook in the late winter.
Top Fishing Spots in Crystal River
Homosassa
Homosassa is a small town on the river. It’s the place where three rivers meet the Gulf of Mexico. A lot of fishing charters are available for anglers in the area. So, anglers can easily book trips that meet their fishing needs.
The town provides anglers with great fishing opportunities. Here, anglers can catch such species of fish as amberjack, cobia, hogfish, flounder, jacks, kingfish, groupers, triggerfish, redfish, snappers, snook, trout, and others.
Bayport
Bayport is a small coastal town in Florida. The town has a convenient location that provides anglers with easy access to many great fishing spots. The town’s marina and park area impress anglers with its beauty. When fishing in this location, anglers can enjoy breathtaking views.
Here, fishing opportunities are diverse. Angles can experience fishing in the Weeki Wachee River, the Hernando Beach, the Bayport channel, and the Gulf of Mexico. Fishermen can catch cobia, grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, redfish, sheepshead, spotted seatrout, snook, and tarpon.
Cedar Key
Cedar Key is a fishing location that’s well-known for its productive fishing spots. Anglers can explore both inshore and offshore fishing in the waters around Cedar Key.
If you decide to experience inshore fishing, you’ll manage to catch black drum, sheepshead, speckled trout, and redfish. During offshore fishing trips, anglers can fish for such species as cobia, grouper, mackerel, mangrove snapper, and seabass.
Hernando Beach
Hernando Beach is a small fishing town in Florida. Here, anglers can fish in numerous bays. There are many docks in the town. Hernando Beach impresses anglers with its abundance of fish.
The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are home to many different species of fish. During a fishing trip, anglers can target amberjack, grouper, flounder, mahi-mahi, mackerel, marlin, red snapper, snapper, snook, trout, and tuna.
Hudson
Hudson is the perfect place to experience fishing in Florida. Anglers can try different fishing techniques such as bottom fishing, spinning, light tackle fishing, boat fishing, and others. Also, anglers can book a charter to enjoy fishing with a guide.
Anglers in Hudson give a preference to nearshore, inshore, and flats fishing. It’s possible to fish in Hudson’s canals, the Gulf of Mexico, and the area where canals meet the Gulf.
Among fish species that anglers can target during their trips are bonefish, cobia, flounder, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, permit, redfish, sailfish, sea trout, snapper, snook, swordfish, tarpon, and others.
Spring Hill
Spring Hill has a lot to offer to anglers in Florida. Fishing spots near Spring Hill provide anglers with great opportunities. It’s the place where anglers can try bottom fishing, casting, free line fishing, and fly fishing. The area impresses anglers with its diversity of fish.
Among the top targeted species in Spring Hill are bonefish, red drum, flounder, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, sailfish, snook, sea trout, largemouth bass, permit, tarpon, wahoo, and others.
Yankeetown
Yankeetown is another popular fishing location in Florida. Here, fishermen can fish for both freshwater and saltwater species. Here, anglers can fish in the Withlacoochee River and the Gulf of Mexico. Oftentimes, anglers land trophy fish in the area.
Anglers, who give a preference to saltwater fishing in Yankeetown, can catch such fish species as amberjack, grouper, hogfish, sharks, snapper, snook, speckled trout, and redfish.
Those anglers who choose to do freshwater fishing in the area can catch bass, crappies, and catfish. Fishing in Yankeetown is very productive.
Booking Guides & Charters in Crystal River
– Best season to go
Fishing in the waters of Crystal River, FL is the best between May and September. On the other hand, summer is usually a very busy season in the region. That’s why booking a charter in the Crystal River, FL area can be hard during the summertime.
May and September are overlooked times of the year. Fishing is excellent during these months, but the demand for charters is lower. So, fishing is cheaper and provides the best value.
– Morning vs. afternoon
Morning fishing is better than afternoon fishing during hot summer months. Water cools down and fish begins to feed actively in the morning.
Also, fishing during the morning hours allows anglers to avoid the summer heat. However, anglers need to wake up early to fish in the morning.
Afternoon fishing is better than morning fishing during cold months. The water heats up in the afternoon and fish begin to bite well.
It’s also important to note that anglers don’t need to wake up early to fish in the afternoon. However, a day is shorter in the spring, fall and winter. That means that your fishing time will be limited if you choose to go fishing in the afternoon.
– 1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
Half-day fishing trips are recommended to beginners, anglers who have limited time on fishing, and anglers on a budget.
However, you may not have enough time to enjoy fishing if you book a 1/2 fishing trip. Anglers often can’t catch too much fish and land a trophy during 1/2 fishing trips.
Full-day trips are a good option for those anglers who would like to spend a full day on the water. Full-day fishing trips allow anglers to visit more fishing spots, land a trophy and catch such species of fish like grouper and snapper.
Full-day trips give anglers more fishing time. And of course, fishermen get more bites during full-day trips. However, full-day fishing trips are a more expensive option compared to 1/2 day ones.
Multiple-day fishing charters are the perfect choice for avid anglers. Such trips last several days and allow anglers to get the most out of fishing.
Multiple-day charters create much better fishing opportunities compared to half-day and full-day fishing trips. On the other hand, multiple-day charters are more expensive than full-day fishing trips.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Tarpon Springs, Bonito Springs, Delray Beach, and Cedar Key, please check out these helpful guides.
