5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Crystal River Redfish & Trout Action
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll fishing gear and licenses included with complimentary catch cleaningAccommodates up to 6 anglers with Hustons Outdoor Adventures
Crystal River's shallow flats and grass beds hold some of Florida's best inshore fishing, and this 4-hour trip puts you right in the thick of it. You'll be targeting redfish, sea trout, snook, and southern flounder in waters that consistently produce fish year-round. With Captain Dave handling the navigation and fish-finding, you can focus on what matters most – getting your line tight and bringing dinner to the boat. All your tackle, licenses, and even fish cleaning are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
This isn't your typical party boat experience – you're getting a personalized inshore fishing adventure in some of the Nature Coast's most productive waters. Crystal River's unique spring-fed system creates perfect conditions for sight fishing and working the grass flats where these fish love to hunt. You'll spend your morning or afternoon drifting the shallows, casting to structure, and working areas where Captain Dave has been putting clients on fish for years. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, but with just 2 spots available, you're getting that intimate, guide-focused experience that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
You'll be fishing light tackle setups perfect for the inshore game – spinning reels spooled with braided line and fluorocarbon leaders that won't spook these smart fish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics along the bottom, or sight casting to tailing reds in the shallows. The beauty of Crystal River fishing is the variety – one cast you're bouncing a jig head for trout, the next you're watching a redfish blow up on a topwater plug. Captain Dave reads the tides, weather, and fish behavior to put you on the most productive technique for the day, whether that's drifting grass flats or anchoring up on structure.
"Dave rocked. We had the best time with him. I knew when I first called it was going to be a great trip. The prep he puts into tracking the tides, currents, & fish sets you up to have a successful day out there. Appreciate his time & dedication endlessly!" - David
"Dave is on the fish Start to finish Highly recommend him had a great time" - Jim
Redfish are the crown jewel of Crystal River's inshore fishing scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches here and fight like freight trains once hooked. They feed aggressively in the shallow grass flats, especially during moving tides when they're hunting crabs and baitfish. What makes reds so exciting is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials – you might sight cast to one tailing in 2 feet of water or catch one drifting shrimp along a channel edge. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, but Crystal River's year-round population means you've got shots at quality fish any time you hit the water.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter fish in these waters, schooling up over grass beds and providing consistent action when other species get finicky. These spotted beauties range from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to hefty "gator trout" pushing 20+ inches and 3-4 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around channel edges, grass beds, and areas where current creates feeding opportunities. Trout bite best during cooler months when they're actively feeding, and they're perfect for anglers who like variety in their presentation – live shrimp, soft plastics, and even topwater plugs all produce when conditions are right.
Snook represent the premier inshore gamefish challenge in Crystal River, known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. These silver-sided fighters average 24-30 inches in local waters and have an attitude that keeps you on your toes from hookset to boat. They're ambush predators that love structure – docks, mangrove shorelines, and channel markers where they wait to blast unsuspecting baitfish. The key with snook is presentation and timing. They can be incredibly selective, turning their noses up at baits that trout and reds would crush. When you connect with a good snook, though, you'll understand why they're considered Florida's premier inshore species.
Southern flounder might be the most underrated fish in Crystal River's lineup, but they're absolute table fare champions and surprisingly fun fighters. These flatfish typically run 14-18 inches locally, with occasional doormat-sized fish topping 20 inches and 3+ pounds. They're bottom-dwellers that love sandy areas near grass beds and channel edges, where they bury themselves and wait for prey to swim by. Flounder fishing requires patience and feel – you're working baits along the bottom, feeling for that subtle pickup that signals a fish has grabbed your offering. They bite best during cooler months and provide excellent eating when other species might be catch-and-release.
Crystal River's reputation as a top-rated inshore fishing destination isn't built on luck – it's built on consistent fish populations, year-round action, and guides who know how to put you on them. This 4-hour adventure gives you the perfect taste of what makes the Nature Coast special, from sight fishing in crystal-clear water to feeling that first run when a redfish realizes it's hooked. With all gear included and fish cleaning handled, you're getting a complete fishing experience that focuses on what matters most – time on the water and fish in the boat. Captain Dave's dedication to tracking tides and fish patterns means you're not just casting and hoping – you're fishing smart with a guide who
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for Crystal River's productive inshore waters. This nimble vessel features a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly into those prime redfish and trout spots without spooking the fish. The onboard GPS keeps you on track to the hottest fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps pinpoint where the action is happening below the surface. Perfect for a duo looking to target Florida's premier inshore species, this boat gets you into the shallows where the big reds cruise and speckled trout feed. The shallow draft design means you can work those grass flats and mangrove edges where fish love to hide. Clean, comfortable, and ready for serious angling in one of Florida's most productive fishing destinations.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches, but the big "bull" reds can push 40+ inches and really test your tackle. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. Guests go crazy for their powerful runs and that sweet, mild flavor. These fish will eat almost anything, but here's my favorite trick: work a gold spoon slowly over shallow flats on calm mornings - when you see that wake coming at your lure, hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in black spots. Most range 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though bigger ones show up regularly. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure changes and drop-offs. Year-round fishing here in Crystal River, but fall and spring produce the best action. What guests love most is their willingness to bite and that sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find. They school up in winter in deeper channels, making for fast action. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving water - the sound drives them crazy, and you'll often double up.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish with their sleek bodies, pronounced black lateral line, and that signature sloped forehead. Most run 18-24 inches, but the big females can stretch over 3 feet. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges - anywhere they can ambush baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What makes them special? They fight like crazy with explosive runs and jumps, plus they're fantastic eating. These fish are temperature sensitive, so cooler months push them into deeper holes and channels. My go-to tip: work topwater plugs early morning around mangrove edges, but be ready - when they hit, they'll try to cut you off in the roots.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays and estuaries - perfect for our Crystal River waters. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that distinctive "left-handed" look. Fall and winter are prime time when adults move into our area. Guests love the challenge of spotting them and the excellent table fare they provide. Here's the key: drift slowly with live shrimp or bull minnows on a light jig head, and watch for subtle taps - flounder don't slam baits like other fish.
5.0 out of 5.0Dave rocked. We had the best time with him. I knew when I first called it was going to be a great trip. The prep he puts into trac...
David Lord, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Dave is on the fish Start to finish Highly recommend him had a great time
Jim Green, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Crystal River