Book your Fishing Charter in Cedar Key, FL

Cedar Key may be known as “the Other Keys” but don’t treat it like an alternative destination. This historic city, sitting southwest of Gainesville, Florida on the Gulf Coast, is a traveler’s haven in its own right. Named after the eastern red cedar plant that used to proliferate the city, Cedar Key has long been important to Florida’s history, with evidence suggesting that it has been inhabited as far back as 1000 BC. These ancestors may be on to something: Cedar Key is a beautifully rich city, and with the work of its proud locals, it remains pristine, with humble cottages, protected sanctuaries, and nature trails coexisting with actual residential areas. 

With an enviable location right on the Gulf Coast, anglers will find Cedar Key an exciting place to be. Fishing is a part of this city’s DNA, so you’ll be happy to know that it is filled with productive fishing holes, plus local anglers who are passionate about their waters and sharing their knowledge with travelers keen to fish their area. 

Cedar Key Fishing: Productive Fishing Holes Both Inshore and Offshore

Cedar Key may be small, but that only means you don’t need to walk too far to get to your next fishing spot. The city’s filled with many productive holes that you don’t need to venture too far out for a prized catch. Still, though, no one’s stopping if you’d like to venture offshore — it would indeed be a waste not to fish the reefs and structure you can access from Cedar Key.

For your inshore fishing needs, make a point to visit the following grassy flatlands: Deadmans Key, Snake Key, Seahorse Key, and North Key. These areas attract plenty of fish species such as black drum, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, redfish, as well as ladyfish, bluefish, and even shark and cobia. 

Pier-fishing is yet another great inshore fishing activity you can do in Cedar Key with great results. The best piers here are the Number 4 Bridge Fishing Pier and the Cedar Key Fishing Pier where you can catch plenty of black drum, sheepshead, channel, and sailfin catfish, and spotted trout.

In the deep cuts of Corrigan’s Reef, you will find redfish, flounder, and sheepshead. During the warmer months, watch out for the birds — they will point you to schools of bluefish, crevalle jack, and Spanish mackerel.

Seahorse Reef is one of the best offshore fishing destinations not just in Cedar Key but in all of Florida. Go southeast of the sandbar where you can find a 90-degree deep grass transition and you can target plenty of prized catch there on the tail of many baitfish. Northwest of the same reef, on the other hand, is legendary for its kingfish action. 

Experience Nature and Fishing in Cedar Key

1. Get to Know the City’s History

Visit the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum housed in two historic buildings: the 1871 Lutterloh Building and the Andrews House annex, for the city’s prehistoric beginnings and contemporary history.

Then kayak over to Atsena Otie Key, a historic island on which the town was originally built for a truly immersive experience of history.

2. Immerse in the Wild Side of Cedar Key

Cedar Key is home to several nature reserves and wildlife refuges. Top spots include Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, The Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, and Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve.