Full Day Scallop And Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday combination fishing and scalloping adventure in Crystal RiverExpert captain provides all gear, equipment, and fishing licenses includedAccommodates 23 guests with guided inshore water exploration
Picture this: you're out on Crystal River's pristine waters at sunrise, coffee still steaming in your thermos, watching Capt. Dave rig up the first set of rods while scallop gear sits ready for later. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking a full day combo that lets you experience the best of what these waters offer - serious fishing in the morning when the bite is hot, then switching gears to hunt for those sweet bay scallops when the sun gets high. With all your gear, licenses, and equipment handled, you just need to bring your appetite for adventure and maybe some cold drinks to keep you going.
Your day kicks off early when the water's still glassy and the fish are actively feeding. Capt. Dave knows these flats like the back of his hand - every grass bed, every drop-off, every spot where the big ones like to hang out. We'll start working the productive areas with live bait and artificials, targeting the grass flats and mangrove shorelines where snook, redfish, and sea trout love to ambush their meals. The beauty of Crystal River is the diversity - one minute you're sight casting to a tailing red in eighteen inches of water, the next you're working a deeper channel for hungry trout. When the fishing action slows down mid-day (like it always does), that's when we transition into scallop mode. The gear switches from rods and reels to masks and mesh bags, and suddenly you're diving down in the clear spring-fed water looking for those little eyes poking up from the grass beds. It's like an underwater Easter egg hunt, except these eggs fight back and taste amazing grilled up later.
We've got you covered with quality spinning tackle rigged and ready - medium action rods that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull redfish that want to drag you into the mangroves. Live shrimp and pinfish are usually the go-to baits, but don't be surprised if Capt. Dave breaks out some soft plastics or topwater plugs when conditions are right. There's nothing like watching a snook absolutely demolish a popper at first light. For the scalloping portion, we provide masks, snorkels, and mesh bags - the water clarity in Crystal River makes this stuff easy even for first-timers. You don't need to be an Olympic swimmer; most scallops are sitting in three to six feet of water where you can easily dive down, grab them, and pop back up. The trick is learning to spot their bright blue eyes against the grass - once you get your eye trained, you'll be filling that bag in no time. We keep a cooler of ice on board so everything stays fresh, whether it's the fish you caught or the scallops you harvested.
Snook are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These fish are pure attitude wrapped in silver scales - they'll slam your bait one second and then sulk under a mangrove root the next, testing every knot and connection you've got. Crystal River snook typically run anywhere from slot size (28-32 inches) up to true giants pushing 40+ inches and 20 pounds. They're most active during the warmer months, especially around the new and full moons when tides are moving water through their favorite ambush spots. What makes them so addictive is their unpredictability - they might eat a live shrimp drifted naturally, or they could completely ignore it and crush an artificial lure worked aggressively. When you hook one, get ready for some serious drag-screaming runs and spectacular jumps.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter fish here, and they're what keep the action steady throughout the day. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and will often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Crystal River trout run from keeper size around 15 inches up to legitimate "gator trout" over 20 inches that'll make your drag sing. They're year-round residents but really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. Trout are perfect for light tackle fishing - they've got soft mouths so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, and they're notorious for throwing hooks with their head-shaking fights. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who want to bring dinner home.
Redfish are the bulldozers of the flats, and Crystal River has some true monsters that'll test your tackle and your patience. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, not speed, but they'll use every oyster bar and grass bed to try to break you off. The reds here range from schooling fish in the 18-24 inch range up to true bulls over 30 inches that look more like submarines than fish. They're year-round residents with peak action during the fall months when they're fattening up. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat in shallow water - there's nothing like watching a big red's back and tail break the surface as it roots around for crabs in two feet of water. They're also one of the most reliable species, often saving the day when snook get finicky or trout move offshore.
This full-day combo trip gives you the complete Crystal River experience without having to choose between fishing and scalloping. You're getting expert guidance from Capt. Dave, all the gear and licenses you need, and access to spots that most folks never see. The two-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod time or dealing with a crowded boat - just you, your fishing partner, and some of the best inshore action Florida has to offer. Whether you're looking to check scalloping off your bucket list, chase some personal best fish,
Hit the waters of Crystal River aboard this well-equipped motorboat designed for serious anglers and scallop hunters. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently into the best fishing spots without spooking your targets, while the GPS keeps you on course to those secret honey holes. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools below the surface, making your full day on the water more productive. Built for two anglers, this boat gives you plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and dive for scallops without bumping elbows. Captain Dave knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the action. Perfect for couples or fishing buddies looking to experience Crystal River's incredible fishing and scalloping opportunities in one epic day trip.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species that put Crystal River on the map. These copper-colored beauties average 20-28 inches and are built like tanks - broad shoulders and that distinctive black spot near the tail. They're shallow water specialists, often in just 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding, but we catch them year-round. What makes redfish special is their power - once hooked, they make long, bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Guests appreciate that they're willing biters and provide that classic "bent rod" experience. My favorite technique: sight-fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs in skinny water. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work your lure slowly - the strike is explosive and they'll head straight for cover.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers who want steady action and great eating. Most run 12-18 inches with those distinctive dark spots covering their silver sides. They're grass flats specialists, cruising shallow waters from 2-8 feet deep, especially over sandy bottoms with scattered grass beds. Cool months are fantastic since they school up in deeper pockets, while warmer weather finds them scattered across the flats. What guests love most is their willingness to bite and that delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best table fare around. They're not the hardest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. Here's a local trick: fish topwater plugs early morning over grass flats, then switch to soft plastics bounced along the bottom as the sun gets higher. Listen for their telltale "croaking" sound when you bring them up.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches here in Crystal River. These golden, sleek fish typically run 18-24 inches, but we see plenty that push 30+ inches and really know how to fight. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in water anywhere from 2-15 feet deep. What makes them special is that pronounced black lateral line and their ability to ambush prey with lightning-fast bursts. May through September is prime time when they're most active, especially around new and full moons. Guests love the challenge - snook are smart, structure-oriented fish that'll test your skills. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: work your lure slow and steady along mangrove edges during moving water. When a snook hits, it's explosive, and they'll try every trick to wrap you up in cover.
Crystal River