It’s fishing report time… this was an exploration trip up to Crystal River to search for some fishing grounds for redfish and trout.
Crystal River is on the Gulf coast of FL in between Cedar Key and Clearwater. It is very popular for scallop season and has great inshore and offshore fishing as well.
This was my first time ever fishing Crystal River, and I was very impressed with it.
And in this video, I want to show you how to catch redfish and trout in a brand new area (on 100% artificial lures).
We were faced with a stiff eastern wind along with a cold front, but there were still some slot redfish and decent trout up on the flats feeding.
Given the wind and cold water, we chose to hug the protected shorelines which had slightly warmer water than the rough wind-blown areas.
The spots chosen to fish were all done by looking at Google maps the night before the trip…
I just googled Crystal River, switched the view to satellite, and then zoomed in to look at bottom structure and noted 5 spots to check out.
For lures, here is what we caught the fish with:
1) Gulp jerk shad: http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/gulp-jerk-shad-review/
2) Gulp shrimp rigged weedless: http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/weedless-gulp-shrimp/
3) Weedless spoon: http://www.saltstrong.com/articles/johnson-silver-minnow-spoon-rigging-tips/
To learn how to find feeding fish in your region, then be sure to take our 7 day online training course which teaches how to consistently catch redfish, snook, and trout throughout the year without having to waste time and money on live bait.
You’ll learn the essential lures to use, the proper equipment needed, and most importantly… how to find feeding fishing grounds throughout the year.
Here’s a link to sign up: http://www.saltstrong.com/inshore-slammer-7-day-special
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I know this is an old video but I just caught a 29inch snook out there today. Pretty stoked about it.
Trying to contact preacher Mack Huggins in homosassa, Florida,..
Former professional fisherman,.. He's a preacher & elderly.
Give him the info showing up,… A dear friend of his just passed away.
"Mickey huff. "
This is evangelist jerry miller
luke as always a good report and thanks to you i gave up hunting and bought a yak in 2015. off to crystal river i headed and thanks to you i found out tides mater but only to get you in the right spot depending on tide flow. this is true for time of day and very seldom do i get there before 10am. you launched at ft island beach ramp and this time of year it is almost safe if you know the paths to get around in. i have seen those oyster bars west of your path be only a couple inches below the surface at high tide and at lease two foot above at low and boats sitting on them. yes there is good fishing there and you were more in the ozello area and not in where the big fish hang out. those bars east of your path are even harder to see and in the summer right next to where salt river comes out it may only be 6". so i highly recommend all join the insiders and not only read but pay attention to what you say and do. i did and now pretty much leave everything alone but trout. they are good eating cooked many ways where others are ok but fun to catch so i put them back
so to wrap up i would like to warn everyone most people will not go back in the ozello area except in a yak or air boat, even the charter captains do not go back there. winter is better due to higher tides but summer can tear up you boat in a heartbeat. the circle you drew has some good fish but be sure to have a GPS to find your way out and in a yak you can paddle in wind and at places very strong current. from the ramp you launched from to the north is crystal river channel but you better know how to get to it and if you head out due west i hope you have good insurance because there are a couple paths you can get through if tide is right. so to wrap up i love ozello but i have learned the area and hope all who want to fish there do the same. if i may i would like to highly recommend letting jacinda take you out. she now charters and the girl knows the area well. i do NOT recommend anyone go back in there in any boat . as luke says there are many many bars with good fish BUT you can not see them if just a little wind until you hit it.
Really enjoyed seeing you getting on Reds in some of my favorite spots. The oyster beds can be unforgiving to the novice Crystal River mariner, but the angling rewards are well worth paying your dues….tight lines.
I fished crystal river and yankeetown my whole life.tons of sharks at the hot water discharge at power plant.and tons of big beautiful reds
hey brother. i dont suppose you know what the fishing is like right now in pasco county? ill be down there this week to fish. what are my chances?
Great video Mr. Simon.. Fishing is always great in the state of Florida.. Defiantly liked and subscribed.. 🙂 Thanks
I live close by and fish area 4-5 times a month over past year. Still learning how to navigate around the plethora of oyster bars/obstructions but getting a lot more confident. Thanks for the informative and fun videos.
Gauging where the power plant is and that last few seconds of video, I'd say between Bird Key and Sandy Hook/Mullet Key. Nice job!
if you would have went south to long gap key you could have got some real fish not that small stuff
That's Fort Island boat ramp, one of my favorite spots. It's where I started kayak fishing. Thanks for visiting and sharing. Reminds me that I need to make a good kayak video of that area. Tight lines!
Looks like alotta fun,hope to see y'all out on Tampa flats sometime. Would like to meet y'all!
