Crystal River Fishing Charters & Homosassa Charters

We knew going into today's charter, it was going to be a tough one. Rain in the morning, and an approaching cold front; these were not the ideal fishing conditions one could hope for. However, my great clients Mishel and Earl were game for giving it a  try and we made the best of a windy situation. Making a run to the intake canal in hopes of trolling up a grouper, was our morning plan, but no takers today. We made several passes and with the seas building, we ran to the safety of the river. This is the prime time for targeting snook in the river and the snook didn't disappoint us. We hooked and landed a couple beautiful Crystal River snook while using Mirrolure Mirrodines and Yo-Zuri 3D minnows to make the best of the day. Releasing the snook and numerous mangrove snapper filled out the afternoon and we did just fine despite the conditions. I thank you both very much for the great time and here is Mishel with one of today's Crystal River snook... Capt. Dan

It wasn't the most beautiful day on the Gulf of Mexico, with the light rain drizzles and over cast skies, but we did find a couple grouper. Dan, Jan, Jay and Cecelia joined me for their annual fall grouper trip out of Crystal River. We made our run offshore to the 20ft range and trolled up some gag grouper. The Rapala x-rap 20's in the fire tiger color was the top producing color today. The bite wasn't nearly as good as yesterday's, but we had enough action to keep our rods bent. I always enjoy this trip with all of you and look forward to seeing you again soon. Here's Jay with the big one from today's charter... Capt. Dan

Today was one of those magical days a fishing guide dream about. Phillip and Dale joined me for a full day charter out of Crystal River and these gentlemen experienced it all. Leaving from Pete's Pier Marina, we began the day to an outstanding grouper bite. In no time, the guys had their limit of hefty gags and a great bonus kingfish to add to the mix. Trolling Rapala x-rap 20's was the hot ticket today for the grouper. I looked at my watch and it wasn't even 10am yet. There were schools of bonito around and we had fun chasing down some poor man's tuna; until we ran inshore for another species. On the inshore scene, we did great catching several trout, a couple red fish and yours truly; caught a beautiful 12lb snook. It was a fantastic Crystal River charter and I thank you both for the wonderful time. Here's the guys with today's catch and look forward to seeing you soon... Capt. Dan

I wanted to send a big thank you to Mercury Marine and Gulf Coast Marine for their 2012 sponsorship. I just had my new 225 Mercury Optimax installed and without a doubt, it's the finest outboard engine available. I look forward to another great year and let's go fishing.... Capt. Dan

Today was the day I've been waiting for! The gulf water temperature is in the upper 60's and trolling up some big gags was as good as it gets. I had Mike on board today out of Pete's Pier for a full day of chasing down some grouper. Reaching the gulf, we were welcomed by some breezy conditions and it was a little rough. However, we toughed it out and had an outstanding day. Our lures today were rapala CD14's and 20 x-raps used in the 12ft to 15ft range, produced our limit of gags and some hefty ones at that. Trolling over ledges and rock piles were are targeted structure and almost every pass produced a strike. On one location, we actually caught two fish on the same lure, which doesn't happen very often. It was an outstanding day and I thank you for the fun time. Here's Mike with the big one of the day, an awesome 20lb Crystal River gag grouper-Great job... Capt. Dan

We had a nice variety out of Crystal River today. Backcountry red fish, shallow water trout and a bonus flounder made up our catch and Dave and Tyler had a great time doing so. We met at Pete's Pier this morning and began the day in hopes of some grouper. Well, once again high winds, dirty water and rough seas made us change to plan B and target the inshore species. The red fish were very cooperative once the tide rolled in and cut lizard fish was today's hot bait. The trout bite picked up really good in the afternoon and working the shallow kelp beds, they guys caught some quality trout. The glow shrimp DOA deadly combos were the hot color today. A nice flounder was added to the mix and another fine day out of Crystal River. Thank guys for the fun time and look forward to seeing you soon... Capt. Dan

I had the Wood family on board today out of Crystal River and the trout bite was much better. Leaving from Pete's Pier at 8am we began the day working some oyster bar cuts, kelp grass patches and catching a few trout. The morning bite was slow and the gulf water temperature was registering 64 degrees. By noon the water temperature raised a couple degrees and we made a run south to some shallow "yellow" hard bottom areas. It was a great decision and in a couple drifts, we added several more keeper trout to the cooler. The DOA holographic watermelon shrimp was today's top producer. The shrimp was rigged with the traditional hook and belly weight combination and a oval deadly combo cork, to call the fish in. Thank you all for the fun time and enjoy tonights fresh fish dinner... Capt. Dan

For you folks that don't live locally, the last three days have consisted of high winds, rain and dropping temperatures. Having to cancel three charters due to these conditions; today I was back at the office and ready to fish. Meeting Scott and Ryan this morning to chilly 50 degree temperatures, we ran out the Crystal River in search of some red fish. It took a little scouting around, but we found an outside point with a couple keepers on it and in a couple minutes, the guys had their limit. Next on the agenda, was to target some trout. The trout bite was extremely slow today and we did catch a couple of keepers, but for the amount of time we worked for them, it was a tough day. We had plenty of action with the short trout and the DOA glow shrimp was today's bait of choice. Thanks guys for the fun time and here is Scott with the first red fish of the day... Capt. Dan

We just finished the Homosassa Fishing Clubs annual fall Jamboree and it was another great success. Myself and fellow Homosassa Guides Association members Mark Zorn, William Toney, Rick Spratt, Jim Long, Don Chancey, Gary Cox, Todd Corneillie, Fred Lyles, and Charlie Harris fished over 25 members to a couple days of taregting trout and red fish. The tides weren't the best for red fishing, but a few were caught and fantastic numbers of trout were brought in. I had John, Butch, and Jack on board for the first day and my crew did great bringing nine keeper trout back to the dock, for Sunday's catch. Monday was a 1/2 day of fishing and ending the afternoon with our special shore lunch. I had the Green family on board for Monday and the father and son team had an outstanding catch of twelve keeper trout before we returned to the island for lunch. It was a fun couple of days and I thank all the members for the wonderful time. We'll see you soon... Capt. Dan

Chris, Mark, Brian and Ryan had it as good as it gets inshore out of Crystal River today. Leaving from Pete's Pier this morning our original plan was to try and find some grouper, but the wind was blowing hard out of the North and our next game plan was to target the inshore species. It was a low tide for the majority of the day, so it was DOA deadly combos rigged with root beer holographic shrimp and Mirrolure Lil' Johns to keep the trout on the end of our lines. We fished the shallow 3ft grass flats with spotty bottom and had a great day catching plenty of trout. It was going to be a late tide for red fish, but we ran back to the North to get a jump on the tide and with a little hunting, the guys caught some beautiful red fish. It was one of the funniest charters I've had and you guys were really great. Thanks for the fun time and congratulations on your outstanding catch... Capt. Dan