Yankeetown, Crystal River & Levy County Fishing Report
Salt Water Fishing Report
for Crystal River, Yankeetown, Cedar key and Levy County- 12/23/08
Fished the “Progress Energy” Hot water Discharge Canal last week. Had several reports of good numbers of large Spotted Sea Trout, as well as Snook and Cobia being caught there, so I thought I’d give it a try.
Got a late start, then had to make our way through the spoil islands and skinny water in fairly heavy fog.
Finally made it over there about 10 A.M., just in time to catch the bottom of the falling tide. Typically, the best tide to fish in this area, especially for Redfish, is just before, and after the high tide…Oh well, shut-up and fish…………
Didn’t set any records, but the fish we caught were nice. Large Spotted Sea Trout, Black Drum, and Redfish, along with several Jack Cravelle’s. Not bad considering the tide.
Also, good numbers of Gag Grouper are being caught off the Citrus and Levy county coasts fairly close in.
Now is the best time of year to target them.
Speaking of “time”…
We only have a few weeks left until the new Gag Grouper reg.’s …
As of Jan. 1/09, a 2 fish limit on Gag Grouper goes into effect as well as several other regulation changes.
February 1 thru March 31 the season is closed…Don’t forget to update your “Law Sticks”…
Hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas..
This Crystal River, Yankeetown & Levy County Fishing Report is from Yankeetown Fishing Guide Captain Nick of Slick Charters.
In the Big Bend its “Winter Mode”!
Looks like the “pro’s” at the N.W.S. might have gotten it right. Record low temp’s in both October and November have started pushing fish further inshore all over the Big Bend region.
Grouper populations, as well as other pelagics spend the summer months offshore, then migrate to nearshore waters as the temp’s drop.
Other species, such as Trout, Snook, Cobia and Permit , also seek out the warmer nearshore waters during the winter months.
With water temp’s approaching the 50′s off the Citrus and Levy county coasts, we go into “winter mode” and move into the skinny water inshore, as well as the Progress Energy Discharge Canal” at Crystal River for most of our saltwater fishing.
Good numbers, and a wide variety of highly sought after game fish are typical of these nearshore trips, and is a great time to take the kids. Most of these trips are only a few minutes ride from the dock.
Also, the Grouper that we typically go miles and miles offshore to catch have moved in. This means less riding and more fishing…
Gotta love it!
This Crystal River and Yankee Town Fishing Report is from Crystal River and Yankeetown Fishing Guide Captain Nick
BETTER GET THEM WHILE YOU CAN!!
Snook season opened Sept. 1 and closes Nov. 30. Don’t forget the required stamp and the latest slot limit, 28-33 inches. Also, scallop season closes next weekend, Sept. 10, so again, Better get-em while you can!
To be perfectly honest, we haven’t fished the Gulf of Mexico since last Friday (8-29). Fortunately we’ve been very busy fishing the Ocklawaha River for Bass this week, with excellent results, 59 Bass in 3 short trips! Gotta get them while you can!
