Cedar Key Fishing Guide
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Target Trout and Redfish in Cedar Key's shallow backcountry watersExperienced guides lead small groups to prime fishing locationsFourperson capacity ensures personalized attention during fishing adventures
Cedar Key's backcountry waters are a hidden gem on Florida's Nature Coast, and I've been guiding anglers through these shallow flats for years. What makes this spot special isn't just the crystal-clear water or the untouched mangrove shorelines – it's the consistent action you'll find here. These protected waters stay fishable when the Gulf gets rough, and the grass flats hold some serious fish year-round. You'll be fishing with a small group of up to 4 anglers, which means personalized attention and plenty of room to work your favorite techniques. Blue Water Fishing Charter Adventures knows these waters inside and out, and we're here to put you on fish while showing you why Cedar Key has become a top-rated destination for serious backcountry fishing.
Your day starts early as we launch into the maze of creeks and flats that make Cedar Key famous among anglers. The backcountry here is all about sight fishing and working structure – we're talking about shallow water where you can see the fish before you cast to them. The bottom transitions from soft grass beds to hard sand, creating perfect ambush points for trout and redfish. You'll be fishing depths ranging from 2 to 6 feet most of the day, with crystal-clear visibility that lets you watch fish react to your lures. The mangrove shorelines provide excellent cover, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed into the shallows. We focus on artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions, and the variety of structure means we can adjust our approach throughout the day. Wind protection is another huge advantage here – when the Gulf side gets blown out, these backcountry spots stay fishable and productive.
Backcountry fishing in Cedar Key requires finesse and the right approach. We primarily use spinning tackle in the 7-foot range with 15-20 pound braided line and fluorocarbon leaders. The shallow, clear water means fish are spooky, so presentation matters more than power. Topwater plugs work magic during early morning and late afternoon, especially around oyster bars and mangrove points. Soft plastics rigged weedless are your bread and butter for working grass flats – we're talking about paddle tails, jerk shads, and scented grubs that mimic the abundant baitfish. Live shrimp under popping corks is deadly when fish are finicky, and we always have fresh bait ready when artificials aren't getting strikes. The key technique here is learning to read the water – looking for nervous baitfish, working birds, and subtle color changes that indicate depth transitions. Quiet approaches and accurate casting are essential since you're often fishing within 50 feet of your target. We'll teach you to work tides effectively, positioning ourselves where moving water concentrates prey and puts predators in feeding mode.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Cedar Key's backcountry fishing, and these speckled fighters are what keep anglers coming back. These fish love the grass flats and typically run 14 to 20 inches, with plenty of keeper-sized fish mixed in with some real bruisers pushing 24 inches or better. Trout are most active during moving tides when they position themselves along drop-offs and grass edges to ambush shrimp and small fish. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action, though summer early morning and late evening bites can be world-class. What makes trout fishing here so exciting is the variety of techniques that work – you can catch them on topwater, soft plastics, live bait, or even flies. They're aggressive feeders but can be finicky about presentation, making each fish a small victory. The strike is often subtle, just a slight tick in your line, followed by a strong run and head-shaking fight that tests your drag settings.
Redfish are the crown jewel of backcountry fishing, and Cedar Key's shallow flats provide perfect habitat for these copper-colored fighters. These fish typically range from 18 to 28 inches in our waters, with occasional oversized bulls that will test your tackle and patience. Redfish are structure-oriented, hanging around oyster bars, mangrove roots, and grass edges where they can ambush crabs and baitfish. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter months often produce the most consistent action when cooler water temperatures make them more active during daylight hours. What makes redfish so exciting to target is their aggressive nature and powerful runs – when a slot red takes off across a shallow flat, there's nothing quite like it. They're also sight-fishing opportunities, often cruising in water so shallow their backs are exposed, creating heart-pounding visual encounters that separate backcountry fishing from offshore grinding.
Cedar Key's backcountry fishing offers something you won't find in many places – consistent action in a pristine environment that feels like old Florida. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or someone new to saltwater fishing wanting to learn proper techniques, this trip delivers. The small group size means personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to improve your skills while actually catching fish. These protected waters fish well in conditions that would shut down other areas, and the variety of species and techniques keeps every trip interesting. Blue Water Fishing Charter Adventures has the local knowledge and experience to put you on fish while showing you techniques you can use anywhere you fish shallow water. Don't wait on this one – Cedar Key is gaining recognition as a premier backcountry destination, and the best dates fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Our 2011 24-foot Carolina Skiff is built for serious backcountry fishing in Cedar Key's shallow waters. This flats boat draws just inches of water, getting you into those hidden spots where the big Trout and Redfish like to hang out. The reliable 115HP Yamaha four-stroke pushes us along at a smooth 38 knots to cover water fast, then we drop down to whisper-quiet mode with the wireless trolling motor when we're stalking fish in skinny water. You'll have everything you need onboard - GPS to mark those honey holes, fish finder to locate structure and bait, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. With room for up to four anglers, there's plenty of space to work without bumping elbows while you're casting to tailing reds or working grass flats for spotted seatrout. This setup lets us slip into backcountry spots that bigger boats can't reach.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Cedar Key's backcountry fishing, typically running 18-30 inches with some real bulls pushing 40+ inches and 30 pounds. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots love our super shallow flats - often in just 1-3 feet of water where you can actually see their backs. They cruise oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines hunting crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, but summer mornings and evenings produce great action too. What gets anglers hooked is their incredible power - they'll strip drag and make blistering runs that'll test your gear. Plus they're fantastic table fare with firm, mild meat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs, but here's the key: cast well ahead of cruising fish and let them find your bait.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of Cedar Key's most consistent inshore targets, running 14-24 inches on average with some pushing 5+ pounds. These silvery, spot-covered fish love our shallow grass flats, especially around dawn and dusk when they move up to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around structure like oyster bars and drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they school up in deeper channels. They hit artificials hard - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all work great. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and solid fights, plus they're excellent eating with delicate, flaky white meat. Pro tip: listen for the popping sounds they make when feeding - that's your cue to cast quickly and quietly into the commotion.
Crystal River