The inshore and nearshore bite out of Crystal River is in a good place right now, with multiple species accessible depending on how far you want to run and what you’re after. Here’s what we’re seeing on the water.
Cobia Have Moved Into the Nearshore Range
Cobia are showing up in the 30 to 50 foot range, and if you’re out there chumming for mangrove snapper or hogfish, keep a rod rigged and ready. These fish will materialize behind the boat when you least expect it, and the ones showing up in this pattern are not small. An eel presented to a cobia that slides in behind your chum slick is an opportunity you don’t want to be unprepared for. The mangrove snapper and hogfish bite in that same depth range has been productive on its own, so the nearshore trips right now offer genuine variety without having to make a long run.
Redfish Are on the Move
Redfish are beginning their coastal migration, and the outside islands, shoals, and channels are the places to be. Quality fish are staging in those areas and they are ready to fight. Redfish in this pattern will test your drag, and when you find them stacked on the right piece of structure with tide moving through, the fishing can be fast. Live bait has been the consistent producer for reds in this setup, and putting the boat in the right position relative to current and structure makes all the difference.
Trout Have Gone a Little Deeper
Speckled trout have shifted into slightly deeper water as summer conditions set in, which is typical for this time of year. The bite has been good, but it is tide-dependent. Top and bottom of the tide are your windows. When the water goes slack, the trout bite tends to follow. Time your drift for moving water, stay focused on the transitions, and the fish are there.
