5.0(4 Reviews)Crystal River Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and sea troutCaptain Misty provides all tackle, bait, and refreshments includedAccommodates up to 2 guests in Crystal River backwaters
If you're looking to get on some serious redfish and sea trout action, Captain Misty Kelly's got you covered. This 5-hour Crystal River inshore charter puts you right in the heart of Citrus County's best fishing waters, where the grass flats meet the backwater channels and the fish are biting year-round. With room for up to four anglers, this trip works whether you're bringing the family, a couple buddies, or flying solo with a friend. Captain Misty knows these waters like the back of her hand, and she's got the patience to work with first-timers while still delivering the goods for seasoned anglers. Everything's included - tackle, bait, artificials, ice, and cold water - so you just show up ready to fish.
Crystal River's inshore waters are something special. You'll be working the shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where redfish cruise and sea trout stack up. Captain Misty runs a well-organized operation, meaning your gear's rigged and ready before you even wet a line. The boat's equipped to handle the shallow draft fishing these waters demand, getting you into spots where bigger boats can't go. This is sight fishing and structure fishing combined - you might spot a red tailing in two feet of water one minute, then drop down to work a deeper channel the next. The variety keeps things interesting, and Captain Misty reads the conditions to put you where the fish are most active. Whether it's an early morning bite or afternoon action, she adapts the plan based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling her.
This charter covers all the bases when it comes to inshore techniques. You'll work both live bait and artificials depending on what's producing. Shrimp under popping corks is a go-to for sea trout, while cut bait gets the redfish fired up around structure. On the artificial side, soft plastics on jig heads work the grass flats perfectly, and topwater plugs create some heart-stopping strikes when conditions are right. Captain Misty's got the tackle dialed in - medium action spinning rods that handle the fight without being overkill, reels spooled with the right pound test for these waters, and a tackle box full of proven local patterns. Circle hooks keep things fish-friendly, and she's got the net skills to boat your catch quickly and safely. The boat setup includes rod holders, a good fishfinder to mark structure, and a shallow water anchor system that keeps you positioned perfectly on productive spots.
"Misty is an amazing Captain! We had a great experience- she put us right on the fish!. We had all skill levels in our group and she worked with us all flawlessly! Highly recommend a trip with Captain Misty - we will certainly be going g out with her again!" - Charles. "First time fishing around this area and it was a BLAST!! We had such a fun time and misty is so knowledgeable and a great captain! We got a big snook misty hooked on, doubled up on some redfish, and some Cats. And after all that work, we docked around the sandbar and cooled off! Highly recommend for anybody wanting to have a great time Fishing!" - Tiffany. "This is our second trip with Capt misty. She is really fantastic. She full of fun and knows where the fish are and how to catch them. That's a 26" redfish my daughter is holding!" - Jim.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Crystal River inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling rats in the 18-22 inch range up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. They feed aggressively in the shallow grass beds and around oyster bars, especially during moving tides. Fall and winter months bring some of the best redfish action, when they school up in deeper channels and are less spooky than during the summer heat. What makes them special is their fight - they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to leverage against you. Plus, they're excellent table fare in the slot size range.
Sea trout are the other main target, and Crystal River's grass flats are perfect habitat for these spotted beauties. They suspend over the grass beds in 3-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and baitfish. Spring and early summer bring the best trout fishing, when they're most active and aggressive. A good Crystal River trout runs 15-20 inches, with some gator trout pushing the 24-inch mark. They're notorious for their soft mouths, so playing them requires a gentle touch and steady pressure. The strike is often subtle - more of a tick than a slam - which keeps anglers on their toes. When you find a school of feeding trout, the action can be fast and furious.
Snook add the wild card element to these charters. They're ambush predators that lurk around mangrove edges, docks, and structure, waiting to blast whatever swims by. Crystal River's snook population has rebounded nicely, and catching one is always a highlight. They're incredibly acrobatic fighters, known for their gill-rattling jumps and sudden direction changes. Summer months are prime time for snook, when they're most active in the shallows. They're also one of the most challenging fish to land - their razor-sharp gill plates cut lines, and they have a knack for finding the nearest piling or mangrove root to wrap you around. That's what makes them so rewarding to catch.
Captain Misty Kelly's Crystal River inshore charter delivers exactly what you're looking for - consistent fish, expert guidance, and a day on the water that leaves you planning your next trip. The
Our motorboat is rigged and ready to chase redfish and sea trout through Crystal River's productive inshore waters. This fishing machine comes loaded with GPS navigation to hit the best spots and a quality fish finder to locate schools hiding in the grass flats and creek mouths. Built for two anglers, she's nimble enough to slip into shallow backwaters where the big reds cruise, yet stable enough for comfortable casting all day long. The electronics take the guesswork out of finding fish, while the shallow draft lets Captain Misty work those skinny water haunts where sea trout love to feed. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats or working structure in deeper channels, this boat gets you where the action is and keeps you there in comfort.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Crystal River flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots typically run 20-28 inches and put up a serious fight. We target them in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their power and the way they'll bulldoze toward structure once hooked. They're also fantastic eating with a mild, sweet flavor. You'll often spot them "tailing" while feeding head-down in the shallows. When you see that tail waving, cast past them and work your bait slowly into their path. Patience pays off - let them find your bait rather than hitting them in the head with it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These beautifully spotted fish average 14-18 inches and love our grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, though we catch them year-round. Early morning and evening produce the best bites, especially when they're feeding on shrimp and small baitfish over the grass beds. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They're not the hardest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. My go-to tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The popping sound calls them in from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting targets here in Crystal River. These golden-colored fighters typically run 18-24 inches, though we occasionally hook into trophy fish pushing 3-4 feet. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around docks, and in the deeper creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and shade, so we focus on overhangs and oyster bars. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around the full moon when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll test your drag for sure. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when you see one following your lure, don't speed up. Let it sink a bit and twitch it slowly - that usually seals the deal.
5.0 out of 5.0Misty is an amazing Captain! We had a great experience- she put us right on the fish!. We had all skill levels in our group and s...
Charles Hoover, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
First time fishing around this area and it was a BLAST!! We had such a fun time and misty is so knowledgeable and a great captain!...
This is our second trip with Capt misty. She is really fantastic. She full of fun and knows where the fish are and how to catch th...
I had a blast with you two! Your daughter is a Rockstar and reeled them in like a pro everytim...
Our first time fishing with Captain Misty and it won’t be our last! Thank you Cap!
Mike Howell, Thank you! You guys were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Crystal River