Cedar Key FL Fishing Guides
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Target trout, redfish, cobia, and tripletail in pristine flats watersAllinclusive equipment provided for up to 4 guests maximumProfessional guided backcountry fishing adventure in Cedar Key waters
When you're looking for a fishing charter that really knows these waters, Blue Water Fishing Charter Adventures has got you covered. Our Cedar Key flats fishing trips take you into some of Florida's most productive backcountry waters, where the grass flats hold everything from speckled trout to bull reds. We keep it simple but effective – bring up to 4 anglers, provide all the gear you need, and put you on fish. You'll want to pack your own snacks, drinks, and plenty of sunscreen because we'll be spending the day working the shallows where Florida's best inshore species live.
Cedar Key sits right in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast, and these flats are what inshore fishing dreams are made of. We'll be running shallow draft boats through grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths where the water stays clear and the fish stay hungry. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity – one cast might bring you a chunky sheepshead off an oyster bar, while the next could hook into a slot redfish cruising the grass line. Our captains know every depression, every grass edge, and every structure that holds fish throughout the seasons. We're talking about fishing depths from 18 inches to maybe 8 feet, using everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. The ride out gives you a chance to see why this area earned its reputation as one of Florida's top-rated inshore destinations.
Flats fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. We'll have you rigged with circle hooks and split shot for the sheepshead around structure, switching to jig heads and paddle tails when we're sight fishing for reds in skinny water. Live shrimp under corks work magic for trout on the grass flats, especially when the water's moving on the tide change. Our boats carry everything from spinning reels spooled with 15-pound braid to lighter tackle when the bite calls for finesse. You'll learn to watch for nervous water, diving birds, and those telltale signs that predators are pushing bait. We focus on working the tide – flooding grass flats on the incoming, creek mouths and points on the outgoing. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what the conditions give us each day.
Sheepshead around Cedar Key are absolute bruisers, especially during their winter and early spring spawning runs. These convict-striped fighters average 2-4 pounds but we regularly see fish pushing 6-8 pounds around the deeper oyster bars and bridge pilings. They're notorious bait stealers with those human-like teeth, but once you get the hang of detecting their subtle bite, you'll be hooked on targeting them. The best action happens when the water temps drop into the 60s and these fish stack up around structure.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of our flats fishing, with keeper-sized specks roaming the grass beds year-round. Spring and fall bring the best numbers, with fish averaging 15-20 inches and plenty of gator trout mixed in that'll test your drag. They're suckers for a properly presented shrimp under a popping cork, and watching that cork disappear never gets old. These fish are perfect for anglers who want consistent action with the chance for a real trophy.
Redfish are what put Cedar Key on the map for serious inshore anglers. Our slot reds run thick through these flats, with fish from 18-27 inches providing world-class fights in shallow water. Fall brings the best action when schools of reds push mullet in water so shallow their backs show. There's nothing quite like watching a red's bronze back and black spot cruise by in 2 feet of clear water. These fish eat everything from live pinfish to gold spoons, and they'll make multiple screaming runs that'll have your heart pounding.
Cobia show up as a customer favorite during their spring and fall migrations, cruising the flats and hanging around crab traps. These brown sharks, as locals call them, are curious fish that often swim right up to the boat before deciding whether to eat. They're powerful fighters that can exceed 30 pounds, and sight fishing for them is as exciting as it gets. A well-placed live crab or eel usually seals the deal when we spot one of these submarine-shaped predators.
Tripletail are the area's most unique target – these floating leaves of the fish world hang around structure and debris, looking exactly like a piece of drifting vegetation until they explode on your bait. They're phenomenal table fare and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. Finding them requires a keen eye and patience, but once you learn to spot their camouflage, you'll be scanning every piece of floating grass for these renowned eating fish.
Cedar Key's flats fishing delivers year-round action with something always biting, but every season brings its own magic. Our all-inclusive approach means you show up ready to fish without worrying about gear or tackle. We've got the local knowledge, the right equipment, and the passion for putting you on fish that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. Whether you're after a mess of trout for the dinner table, the fight of a lifetime from a bull red, or the challenge of sight fishing for cobia, these waters deliver. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and word gets around the docks.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 2011 24-foot Carolina Skiff, perfectly designed for navigating Cedar Key's shallow flats and winding backcountry channels. This classic flats boat runs on a dependable 115HP Yamaha four-stroke that'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly, cruising up to 38 knots when needed. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those skinny water honey holes where the big redfish and trout like to hang out. With room for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast without bumping elbows. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're stalking fish in shallow water, while our fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold throughout the day. GPS navigation ensures we can mark productive spots and find our way back to that perfect grass flat or oyster bar. Whether we're sight-fishing for reds on the flats, working docks for sheepshead, or searching for cobia around markers, this boat handles Cedar Key's diverse fishing grounds with ease. The stable platform gives you confidence whether you're casting topwater plugs at sunrise or fighting a bull red in the afternoon chop.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are some of the most exciting fish we target offshore from Cedar Key. These brown, shark-looking fish average around 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ pounds. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they cruise near the surface around structures and floating debris. What guests love about cobia is their curious nature - they'll often follow the boat and investigate lures, giving you multiple chances. They're also phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. These fish are usually solitary and can be spotted sunning near the surface. Once hooked, they make powerful runs and jump. Best technique is sight-casting with live bait or bucktail jigs when you spot one cruising. Keep the boat at a distance and let them come to you.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow flats here in Cedar Key. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots typically run 20-35 inches and put up a serious fight in skinny water. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and around mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they're most active and aggressive. What makes reds special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're also sight-fishing targets - nothing beats watching a red crush a topwater plug in knee-deep water. My go-to trick is to work the falling tide around oyster bars where they corner baitfish. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are bread-and-butter fish in our grass flats and shallow waters around Cedar Key. They typically range 14-24 inches and love to ambush prey around oyster bars and seagrass beds. Early morning and evening are prime times, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit topwater plugs and soft plastics, plus they're fantastic table fare with delicate, white meat. They fight well for their size and are great for teaching kids the basics. During winter, look for them in 6-15 feet of water near drop-offs and channels where they congregate to stay warm. A soft plastic shrimp worked slowly along the bottom is hard to beat when they're being picky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of my favorite fish to target around Cedar Key's bridges and docks. These gray-bodied "convict fish" with their black stripes typically run 1-8 pounds, though we occasionally hook monsters over 20 pounds. What makes them special are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs off structure. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook hard when you feel that subtle tap. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. The meat is sweet and flaky - some of the best eating you'll find. Pro tip: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and fish different depths until you find where they're holding. They rarely venture far from cover.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the most unique fish we chase around Cedar Key's waters. These oddly-shaped fish with their three-fin appearance typically weigh 2-13 pounds and have a quirky habit of floating on their sides near debris, mimicking dead leaves or weeds. Summer through fall is prime season when they're most active near the surface around weed lines and floating structure. What makes tripletail special is their acrobatic fight - they jump and flip despite their chunky build. The meat rivals red snapper for quality with firm, white flesh. They're masters of camouflage and can change color instantly, making them challenging to spot. Key to success is stealthy sight-casting - they spook easily, so cast well past them and work your bait slowly into their strike zone. Live shrimp works best.
Crystal River