5.0(1 Reviews)Crystal River Multi-Day Fishing Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threenight stay at Paddletail Waterfront Resort on Kings BayTwo full fishing days with Captain Mike targeting multiple speciesWaterfront dining and convenient dock access for easy pickup
Picture this: three nights at a waterfront resort with two full days of world-class inshore fishing guided by Captain Mike, one of Crystal River's most respected fishing guides. This isn't just a fishing trip – it's a complete getaway that puts you right in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast fishing action. You'll stay at the Paddletail Waterfront Resort on Kings Bay, where you can walk to dinner after a day on the water and literally step out your door to meet your captain at the dock.
Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and over two days, you'll fish the prime spots where Crystal River's top species hang out. We're talking shallow flats for redfish, deeper channels for cobia, and structure fishing for black sea bass. The beauty of a multi-day charter is that we can adjust our strategy based on conditions – if the wind's blowing one day, we've got protected areas. If the fish are schooling up somewhere specific, we can chase them. You'll fish different techniques each day, from sight fishing in skinny water to bottom fishing around structure. The best part? When you're staying right on the water, we can be flexible with timing. Early morning bite? No problem. Evening feed? We're on it.
We'll be running light to medium tackle most of the time – perfect for feeling every bump and run these inshore species give you. Depending on what we're targeting, we'll use everything from live bait like pilchards and shrimp to artificial lures. For redfish, we might throw gold spoons or soft plastics over grass flats. When we're after cobia, we'll often use live bait or large jigs around structure. The black sea bass love bottom rigs with cut bait or small jigs bounced along the bottom. Captain Mike provides all the gear, but if you've got favorite rods or lures, bring them along. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so we can mark productive spots and return to them throughout your stay.
"Excellent guide service and was a joy to be around. Very professional and knowledgeable of fishing and other wildlife we encountered. Looking forward to the next trip. Put us on fish and knows how to catch them. I learn something new every time we fish with Mike!" - Paul
Redfish are the bread and butter of Crystal River fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag system. They cruise the grass flats in schools, especially during higher tides, and you'll often spot their backs or tails breaking the surface. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish ranging from slot-size keepers around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches. What makes redfish so special here is the sight fishing opportunities – there's nothing quite like watching a red slowly cruise up to your bait in crystal-clear water.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks-lookalikes show up around structure, channel markers, and sometimes just cruising the flats. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you shots at fish in the 25-40 pound range. Spring and early summer are prime time, especially when the water warms up. Cobia fight hard with long runs and are absolutely delicious on the table – many anglers consider them the best eating fish in these waters.
Black Sea Bass might be smaller than the other species we target, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers hang around rocky areas, artificial reefs, and ledges in 15-40 feet of water. They're pretty much a year-round fishery, though they're most active during cooler months. Sea bass are perfect for newer anglers since they bite readily and fight hard for their size. You'll often catch multiple species while bass fishing, making for exciting mixed bags.
Snook are the glamour species of Florida inshore fishing, and Crystal River has some beautiful fish. These silver-sided predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars. They're ambush feeders that explode on baits, often jumping multiple times during the fight. Snook are catch-and-release only, but the thrill of hooking one of these acrobatic fighters makes them a top target. They're most active during warmer months and around moving water, especially during tide changes.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the flats, with fish commonly reaching 20-40 pounds in these waters. They're bottom feeders that cruise shallow areas looking for crabs and shellfish, often showing their backs in skinny water. While they don't jump like other species, black drum are powerful fish that make long, steady runs. They're excellent eating in smaller sizes and provide a different kind of fight – more like a bulldozer than a race car. Look for them around oyster bars and grass flats, especially during higher tides.
This multi-day package gives you everything you need for a top-rated Crystal River fishing experience – expert guiding, waterfront accommodations, and two full days to target the area's best species. Captain Mike's reputation speaks for itself, and the convenience of staying right at the marina means more time fishing and less time traveling. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to fish some of Florida's most productive waters, this trip delivers. The charter accommodates up to two anglers, but larger groups can be handled with additional boats and captains. Book now to secure your dates – these multi-day packages fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons.
Our motorboat is perfectly rigged for Crystal River's inshore waters, where you'll spend two full days chasing everything that swims these productive flats. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking redfish in shallow water or positioning over structure. GPS navigation gets you to the honey holes fast, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below - whether it's trout holding on grass beds or snook lurking around docks. Built for two anglers, this boat gives everyone plenty of casting room and easy access to tackle. Captain Mike knows every creek and channel in these waters, so you'll fish the spots that consistently produce. Perfect for working the backcountry without spooking fish or navigating tight spaces where the big ones hide.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family and our shallow flats hold some real giants. These dark, powerful fish range from schoolie 5-pounders to monsters over 40 pounds, and they love crushed oyster bottom and muddy flats where they can root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring is absolutely the best time when they school up for spawning in March and April. What's cool about drum fishing? You can actually hear them drumming underwater, and the bigger ones will test your tackle with their bulldogging power. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating – they're excellent table fare. My secret: fresh blue crab on the bottom is hard to beat, and fish the incoming tide when they're most active feeding on those oyster bars.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are perfect for anglers who want steady action and great table fare. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 1-3 pounds around our local structure and they're absolute bottom huggers. You'll find them around wrecks, rocky ledges, and artificial reefs in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through summer is your best bet when they move inshore to spawn. What guests love most is the consistent bite – they're not picky eaters and will hit squid strips, small jigs, or live bait readily. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the trick: once you find them, stay put. Where there's one sea bass, there's usually a whole school sitting tight to that same piece of structure.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks – guests love the confusion until they see that broad tail and realize what they've hooked into. These solitary fish average 30-50 pounds around here and cruise structures like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers, usually in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they move through our area heading north. What makes them worth targeting? They're aggressive fighters, absolutely fantastic eating with firm white meat, and they're curious enough to come right up to the boat. Pro tip: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig past them and work it back slowly – they'll often follow it right to the boat before striking.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in Crystal River's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail average 20-30 inches and love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great with that mild, sweet flavor, and you'll often spot their backs or tails breaking the surface as they feed. The explosive topwater strikes are pure adrenaline. My tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast your bait ahead of where they're moving, not right on top of them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish and Crystal River has some beauties. These silver-sided fighters with the distinctive black lateral line average 18-28 inches and absolutely love our mangrove creeks, docks, and bridge pilings. Warmer months from May through September are prime time, especially around the new and full moons. What makes them special? They're ambush predators that hit like freight trains, jump like tarpon, and their spawning season light show turns their fins bright yellow. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, but the fight alone is worth it. The key here is getting your lure or bait tight to cover – they rarely chase baits in open water, so you've got to put it right in their face along the mangroves or under docks.
5.0 out of 5.0Excellent guide service and was a joy to be around. Very professional and knowledgeable of fishing and other wildlife we encounter...
Paul Martin , Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.Thank you sir, loo...
Crystal River, FL