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Elite Crystal River Inshore Fishing Charter
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Crystal River
- $400 - $650 price range
Summary
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Rods, Reels, and Catches
Redfish smiles in the sun
Morning haul, Crystal River
Fish tales from the Gulf
Catch of the morning
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4th Of July scallops trip
Redfish Hooked up in Crystal River!
Redfish kind of day 🎣
Crystal River bite is on!
Inshore gold on the line
Redfish smiles in the sun
Morning haul, Crystal River
Fish tales from the Gulf
Catch of the morning
null
4th Of July scallops trip
Redfish Hooked up in Crystal River!
Redfish kind of day 🎣
Crystal River bite is on!
Inshore gold on the line
Redfish smiles in the sun
Morning haul, Crystal River
Fish tales from the Gulf
Catch of the morning
Crystal River's Top Fishing Charter: 8 Hours of Action
Get ready to cast your line into the rich waters of Crystal River, Florida with Captain Misty Kelly. This 8-hour charter trip is your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing the Sunshine State has to offer. Whether you're looking to land your personal best or just enjoy a day on the water with family, Captain Misty's 30+ years of experience ensure you're in for a treat. From the backwater creeks to the flats, we'll put you on fish and show you the ropes of successful inshore angling.
What to Expect on the Water
Hop aboard our 21-foot Xpress aluminum boat, a perfect platform for navigating Crystal River's diverse waterways. We're talking comfort and capability here - with GPS and a fishfinder to boot. Captain Misty's got an eye for the hotspots, and she'll have you dropping lines where the fish are biting. Expect to learn new techniques, hear some fish tales, and hopefully create a few of your own. This isn't just fishing; it's a full-on Florida adventure suitable for anglers of all skill levels. Bring the kiddos, pack some snacks, and don't forget the sunscreen - we've got the rest covered.
Techniques That Land Fish
On this trip, you'll get hands-on with various fishing methods tailored to our target species. We might start with some light tackle work for trout, using soft plastics or live bait under a popping cork. When the redfish are tailing on the flats, we'll switch to sight fishing - a heart-pounding experience as you watch the fish approach your lure. For snook, we could be pitching jigs around mangroves or working topwater lures at first light. Captain Misty's always got a few tricks up her sleeve, like the secret to enticing a wary tripletail off a channel marker. You'll leave with new skills and maybe even a new favorite technique.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"Tons of fun, great instruction, and an all around great day with Captain Misty!" - Robert "We had a great time with Captain Misty! She put us on the fish at every stop of the trip, and we took home our limits in trout and redfish! Will repeat again soon!" - Victor
Species You'll Want to Hook
Largemouth Bass: The crowned jewel of freshwater fishing, Crystal River's largemouth can grow to impressive sizes. These ambush predators love to hide in vegetation and strike fast-moving lures. Spring is prime time when they're in the shallows, but you can catch them year-round. The thrill of a big bass blowing up on a topwater lure at dawn is hard to beat.
Snook: These line-siders are the prize of inshore fishing. Known for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps, snook put up a fight that'll test your skills. We target them around structure like mangroves and docks. The bite is best during warmer months, especially at night or early morning. Landing a big snook is a badge of honor for any angler.
Crappie: Don't let their size fool you; these panfish are a blast to catch and delicious to eat. We often find them schooling around submerged trees or brush piles. Light tackle and small jigs are the way to go. Winter is prime crappie season, and a good day can mean a cooler full of these tasty fish.
Sea Trout: Also known as speckled trout, these fish are a staple of inshore fishing. They're abundant, willing to bite, and great for both novice and experienced anglers. We catch them over grass flats using live shrimp or artificial lures. The "gator" trout (big ones) are trophy catches that'll have you grinning from ear to ear.
Redfish: With their copper color and distinctive spot near the tail, redfish are a sight to behold. They're known for their strong fights and tendency to tail in shallow water. We target them year-round, but fall is especially good when they school up. Sight-fishing for reds in clear water is an experience you won't forget.
Time to Book Your Spot
An 8-hour trip with Captain Misty isn't just fishing; it's a full-day immersion in the best Crystal River has to offer. You'll learn, laugh, and hopefully land some impressive catches. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to fine-tune your skills or a family wanting to create lasting memories, this charter delivers. Remember, spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Don't miss out on your chance to experience world-class inshore fishing right here in Florida. Grab your hat, gather your crew, and let's get out on the water. The fish are waiting, and Captain Misty's ready to put you on them. Book now and get ready for a day you'll be talking about long after you're back on shore!
Customer Reviews
Captain Fun Day
Robert Gerlaugh
June 8, 2023
Fish Frenzy Bonanza
We had a great time with Captain Misty! She put us on the fish at every stop of the trip, and we took home our limits in trout and redfish! Will repeat again soon!
Victor Stephens
November 12, 2023
Learn more about the species
Crappie
Crappie are popular panfish, usually 7-12 inches long and weighing up to a pound. You'll find them in lakes and rivers, often suspended around brush piles or other cover. They school up, so where you catch one there are likely more. Spring is prime time as crappie move shallow to spawn. Anglers love their tasty white meat and the fun of catching a bunch. To land some slabs, try fishing small jigs or minnows under a float near submerged vegetation. Crappie have soft mouths, so set the hook gently. A local tip - on sunny days, look for them in deeper water near drop-offs. When you find a school, it can be non-stop action!
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are a favorite target for many anglers, usually ranging from 1-5 pounds but capable of reaching over 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow, weedy areas near structure like fallen trees or docks. They're ambush predators, so look for them lurking around cover. Spring and fall are peak seasons as bass move shallow to spawn and feed. Anglers love their aggressive strikes and hard-fighting nature. To land a big one, try working a plastic worm slowly along the bottom near deep water drop-offs. These fish put up an exciting fight and make for some tasty eating too. One local tip - on hot summer days, try topwater lures early in the morning when bass are most active feeding on the surface.
Redfish
Redfish are a popular target in Crystal River, usually 18-27 inches and putting up a great fight. You'll find them in shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, often in water just a foot or two deep. They love to cruise and tail in these skinny areas, making for exciting sight fishing. Fall is prime time as reds school up to spawn. Anglers enjoy their hard runs and excellent table fare. To land a trophy, try using live or cut bait near creek mouths on moving tides. A local trick is to look for pushing water or "nervous" bait to find feeding redfish. When you hook one, hang on - these bulldogs will test your gear!
Sea Trout
Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a favorite inshore species typically 14-24 inches long. You'll find them in grass flats, channels, and around oyster bars in depths of 3-15 feet. They're most active at dawn and dusk, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime seasons as trout school up. Anglers enjoy their aggressive strikes and delicate flavor. To land some keepers, try live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the bottom. A local tip - look for diving birds to find feeding schools of trout. When you get on a good bite, it can be fast and furious action!
Snook
Snook are an inshore favorite here in Crystal River, typically 24-34 inches long and putting up a great fight. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and other structure in estuaries and along beaches. They love moving water, so target them on outgoing tides. Spring and fall are prime seasons as snook move in and out of the backcountry. Anglers enjoy their hard strikes and powerful runs. For table fare, smaller snook under 28 inches are best. To land a big one, try live bait like pilchards or pinfish near coastal inlets. A local trick is to fish the shadow lines of docks and bridges on bright days - snook use the shade for ambush points.
About the Xpress
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercury Four-Stroke
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 150
Tons of fun, great instruction, and an all around great day with Captain Misty!