Redfish, Snook, and Trout Heating Up the Flats This Week

Holiday weekend

Spring bite

Crystal River Fishing Report | 

<p>Experience the thrill of fishing in Crystal River with Get Reel Outdoors. Led by the seasoned expertise of Captain Konnor, embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of inshore fishing.</p><p><br></p><p>Throughout the seasons, Crystal River teems with a diverse array of aquatic treasures awaiting your hook. From the elusive Snook to the robust Redfish, and from the acrobatic Tarpon to the spirited Jack Crevalle, there's no shortage of excitement here. With opportunities to reel in species like the Black Drum, Mangrove Snapper, Spotted Seatrout, and more, every angler's dream becomes a reality in these bountiful waters. Whether you prefer the thrill of spinning or the precision of specialized techniques, Captain Konnor's expertise ensures a tailored fishing experience like no other.</p><p><br></p><p>Board the custom 2020 23’ Shoalwater, meticulously equipped to accommodate up to 6 passengers, and equipped with all the essentials for a successful day on the water. From top-quality rods, reels, and tackle to an assortment of lures, everything you need is readily available. Opt for live bait for an added allure, tailored to your fishing preferences. With the charter boat covering your fishing license, all that's left for you to do is focus on the thrill of the catch.</p><p><br></p><p>At Get Reel Outdoors, fishing isn't just a sport—it's a family affair. Captain Konnor welcomes families with open arms, encouraging the next generation of anglers to hone their skills from a young age. Children can join in the adventure, provided they wear life vests, ensuring safety is paramount throughout the excursion. Gain insights into local regulations and seasonal restrictions from your knowledgeable captain, ensuring compliance while maximizing your fishing experience.</p><p><br></p><p>Prepare for a day under the sun by packing essential items such as snacks, sunglasses, a hat, and non-spray sunscreen. Refreshments, including water, are provided onboard, with the option to bring your preferred beverages upon prior arrangement. Moderate consumption of alcohol is permitted, excluding hard liquor and glass bottles, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.</p><p><br></p><p>With Get Reel Outdoors, your fishing adventure in Crystal River is just a booking away. Seize the opportunity to create lasting memories on the shimmering waters—reserve your spot today and reel in the excitement of a lifetime.</p>

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Redfish

If you’re heading out on the water this week, Crystal River is delivering excellent inshore fishing conditions with warming water temperatures, light winds, and steady tides—perfect for targeting a variety of inshore favorites.

Redfish have been active around oyster bars and mangrove edges, especially during the incoming tide. Live shrimp, cut mullet, and soft plastics rigged weedless have been producing solid bites. Anglers are reporting slot-sized reds with a few upper-slot and over-slot fish mixed in.

Snook are moving out of the creeks and staging near points and current breaks. Early mornings and late afternoons have been best, especially with live pinfish or topwater lures. Look for them near rocky shorelines and docks with good water flow.

Spotted sea trout are hitting well on grass flats in 2 to 4 feet of water. Drifting with live shrimp under popping corks or slow-rolling soft plastics has been the go-to strategy. Most fish have been in the 16–20" range, with a few gators pushing over 22”.

Sheepshead are tapering off as we move further into spring, but some are still hanging around structure and dock pilings. Fiddler crabs and shrimp on small jig heads are still drawing bites.

Water clarity has been excellent following light rain early in the week. The best action is coming during strong tidal changes, particularly the mid-morning incoming tide.

Whether you’re a local or visiting the Nature Coast, this is a great time to hit the water. For the best experience, consider booking a local guide who knows the tides, the fish, and how to make the most of your day on Crystal River.

Sea Trout

<div>As the weather continues to get hotter and hotter, fish are starting to become a lot more active. Free line shrimp and pinfish has been what's worked best. Also cut pinfish, ladyfish and mullet has seem to do the trick during the middle of the day when those temperatures get really hot. Have been seeing a bunch of tarpon starting to show up running their normal tracks on their movement north. Cobia, trout and mackeral have been running in schools in the 5-10ft range around all our nearshore wrecks</div>

<div>Florida fishing products- Resolute 3000</div><div>Bull bay rods- Sniper 7'6 Mediun fast&nbsp;</div><div>10lb power pro braid&nbsp;</div><div>20lb flurocarbon leader</div>

<div>Lots and lots of redfish have been moving out from their transition areas and more into summer time patterns. Lots of big redfish are being caught on live and cut pinfish, shrimp and mud minnows. Look for shaded overhanged mangroves, with good current and hard limestone botton. Snook have been making their way to a lot of the western sandy points with good current. Live pinfish, mullet or white bait has been the ticket for consistent bites. Trout are moving out to deeper water in 5-7ft, shrimp on a jighead and gulp or lil johns on a jighead has been working the best</div>

<div>3000 sized spinning reel</div><div>7'6 bull bay sniper</div><div>10lb braid</div><div>20lb flourocarbon leader</div>

Angler with a big catch in the crystal river

Anyone who knows me knows before every charter i have a mental game plan of what i want to do throughout the day. I knew going into this trip it was going to be a day of grinding it out due to our conditions. Day of the full moon, cold front coming through the night before dropping temperatures 25 degrees, strong northwest wind with gusts 25mph+, we had practically every odd against us. The morning of the charter i got to the ramp an hour before the scheduled pickup time like i always do to make sure everything is setup and ready to go. When initially getting to the ramp i automatically noticed how LOWWWW the water was compared to the previous two days that i had scouted just two days prior when tide charts were predicting similar low tides but this was easily a -1.0 tide if not lower. I spent that entire hour at the ramp trying to come up with a new game plan. We started the morning off hitting some deeper holes and pockets trying to find some trout. After about 2-3 hours of fishing deeper pockets and holes we had around a dozen trout with some lady fish and some small mangrove snapper mixed in, which is super slow in my personal opinion. During those 2-3 hours of fishing for trout i was just praying some more water would come in because anyone who knows me, knows pot hole trout fishing is my biggest pet peeve and i try to avoid doing it at all. I knew once the tide came in we would be able to push in the back country a little bit and find some schools of reds but it just seemed like there wasn’t enough water yet. Norbert and Jon told me that they were really hoping to find some redfish on this specific day and i decided that i was going to give it my best effort to get us into the back country where i knew some redfish were going to be laid up with some big schools of mullet trying to soak up some sun. Ended up full sending the boat across a flat that had grass sticking out of the water and timed it perfectly coming off plane to glide into the last deeper hole barely the length of my boat before there was no more coming off plane anywhere. Tried to trolling motor us out of the hole and there was no moving anywhere and at that moment i decided it was time to hop in the 59 degree water temp (this was early February) and drag this 23ft bay boat where i wanted to go because there was no going back across the flat i just somehow made it across. Ended up dragging the boat for about 150 yards through thigh deep mud until we came across our first big school of mullet. I was pushing the boat as quietly as i possibly could and got about 40 yards away from the first big school of mullet and dropped the power poles down. When we first pulled up we were seeing some redfish tailing on the outside of the big school of mullet. It didn’t take long to get our first hookup on a healthy 25” redfish. After that it was fish after fish on every bait that floated past the school of mullet for a good 30 mins until it just completely turned off. We ended up catching 10 or so redfish off the first school of mullet then decided to move on. We ended the day with 20 or so redfish in the last two hours of fishing, and Norbert and Jon both had the opportunity sight fish their very first redfish


Two European seabass, each about 28 inches long, caught while fishing in Crystal River

Angler with a big 21-inch catch in Crystal River

Redfish caught on a fishing trip in Florida

<p>Book your Crystal River fishing adventure with Captain Konnor Courtney today and experience the thrill of reeling in trophy catches on Florida's pristine waters! Don't miss out on the opportunity to create unforgettable memories and embark on an exhilarating fishing journey.</p>

<p>At Get Reel Outdoors, we specialize in top-rated Crystal River fishing charters led by experienced local guide, Captain Konnor Courtney. With a passion for Florida’s coastal waters and a focus on inshore fishing, our trips are tailored to target popular species like Snook, Redfish, Black Drum, and Mangrove Snapper. Whether you're a first-time angler or a seasoned fisherman, Captain Konnor’s in-depth knowledge and friendly approach make every outing both productive and enjoyable.</p><p><br></p><p>Our charters take you through some of Crystal River’s most productive fishing grounds, including oyster bars, grass flats, and hidden mangrove channels. You’ll have the chance to hook into impressive catches like Tarpon, Grouper, and even Blacktip Shark, depending on the season. At Get Reel Outdoors, we’re committed to delivering more than just a day of fishing—we create personalized, memorable experiences on the water. Book your trip today and discover why Crystal River is one of Florida’s top inshore fishing destinations.</p>

Find answers to the most common questions about Crystal River fishing charters with Get Reel Outdoors, including trip details, what to bring, pricing, and what to expect on the water—so you can book with confidence.

<p>Captain Konnor Courtney is a Florida native whose earliest memories involve stalking redfish on glass-calm flats and watching morning light dance across the mangroves of St. Petersburg. Growing up in a family that valued time on the water, he logged countless hours learning tide cycles, coastal bird signs, and how subtle changes in wind can move bait—and fish—within minutes. That lifelong education now drives his reputation as one of the most knowledgeable Crystal River fishing guides.</p><p><br></p><p>A natural teacher, Captain Konnor believes every outing should leave guests feeling more confident than when they stepped aboard. He explains tackle choices, demonstrates stealthy approaches for sight fishing, and shares insights into the coastal ecosystem so anglers gain skills they can use long after the trip. His calm demeanor and focus on safety create an environment where beginners feel welcome and seasoned anglers appreciate the depth of his local expertise.</p><p><br></p><p>Captain Konnor’s specialty is shallow-water inshore sight fishing for redfish, snook, sea trout, and black drum. He understands how seasonal changes—like late-spring bait pushes or autumn cold fronts—affect fish behavior in Crystal River’s oyster bars and grassy bays. By combining regional knowledge with high-quality gear, he consistently puts guests within casting distance of their target species while fostering a genuine respect for Florida’s coastal resources.</p><p><br></p><p>His office on the water is a meticulously maintained 2020 23-foot Shoalwater built to float shallow and ride comfortably. The boat accommodates up to six passengers, carries premium rods, reels, and tackle, and features ample casting space for sight fishing. Live bait can be supplied on request, and every charter includes the necessary fishing licenses. From the moment you step aboard, you’ll have everything required for a productive, worry-free day exploring the productive flats and backwaters of Crystal River.</p>

Meet Captain Konnor Courtney and Get Reel Outdoors

Things To Do

Things To Do In Crystal River

<p>&nbsp;Specializing in Inshore and Backwater Charters</p>

<p>Florida Fishing License is Covered</p>

Family Fishing Charters

<h3>How much does a Crystal River fishing charter with Get Reel Outdoors cost?</h3><p>Our Crystal River fishing charters start around $450 for a 4-hour inshore trip and run up to about $850 for a full 8-hour day. Prices cover your entire group (up to the boat’s capacity) and include everything you need to fish—no hidden fees.</p><p><br></p><h3>What types of fishing trips do you offer in Crystal River?</h3><p>Get Reel Outdoors runs half-day, three-quarter-day, and full-day charters focused on inshore and nearshore action. Seasonal specialty trips—such as scalloping in summer or tarpon hunts in late spring—are also available on request.</p><p><br></p><h3>What’s included with my Get Reel Outdoors charter?</h3><p>Your charter price covers the boat, fuel, USCG-approved safety gear, top-tier rods and reels, bait, tackle, Florida fishing licenses for everyone on board, and free cleaning of any legal catch you choose to keep.</p><p><br></p><h3>Do I need to buy a fishing license beforehand?</h3><p>No. As a fully licensed Crystal River fishing charter, Get Reel Outdoors provides blanket coverage for every guest, so you’re legal to fish the moment you step on the boat.</p><p><br></p><h3>What should I bring on my Crystal River inshore fishing trip?</h3><p>Pack sun protection (hat, polarized sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen), drinks and snacks, a camera or phone for photos, and a small cooler to transport fillets home. Soft-soled shoes and weather-appropriate layers keep you comfortable all day.</p><p><br></p><h3>When is the best time to fish Crystal River?</h3><p>Peak action for redfish, snook, and trout runs March–May and September–November, when water temps are mild and tides stay steady. Winter brings excellent sheepshead, while summer offers scallops and early-morning tarpon shots.</p><p><br></p><h3>What species can we target with Get Reel Outdoors?</h3><p>Depending on season and tide, you can hook redfish, snook, spotted sea trout, black drum, mangrove snapper, flounder, tarpon, grouper, and the occasional blacktip shark—plenty of variety for every skill level.</p><p><br></p><h3>Are your Crystal River fishing charters family friendly?</h3><p>Absolutely. Captain Konnor Courtney loves guiding beginners and kids, supplying lighter tackle, patient coaching, and calm back-bay spots that make learning fun and successful.</p><p><br></p><h3>What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?</h3><p>We offer a full refund with 72-hour notice. If unsafe weather forces the captain to cancel, you may reschedule or receive a refund—your choice.</p><p><br></p><h3>How do I book a trip with Get Reel Outdoors?</h3><p>Call, text, or use our online calendar to lock in your date. A small deposit secures your spot, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with trip details and meeting location in Crystal River.</p>