Crystal River 1/28

Grey Beard

We hoped the last warm day before the cold front would put some fish in the river. Waited til 11 to launch so we would hit the incoming tide. Launched in town and tried a 12-16' hole in front of a canal and some Ladyfish and one small mangrove on white hair jigs. Foul hooked a huge gar and saw other working the surface. Moved to the channel and more ladyfish but bigger and taking some drag. Tried a blue silver crank Brad's ThinFish, white hair and 3/16 Jig and brown/chart paddle tails. Nadda on crank and wore out another hair jig. Moved out towards gulf and worked 8-12' along rock wall and docks and more small Ladyfish and 3 undersized trout all on paddletail. Hot tip from some gals on shore that mangroves near the island by the Ale House. Lots of them there but only 6-8". Saw 4 other boats in same area and those we talked to having similar success. One guy said this yr is different because despite the recent cold fronts quality fish have not moved into the channel and bays.

Still fun to get bit having left WI last Sat with 12 degrees and 30mph wind and just missing all the weather in the south by 24 hours. Feel very lucky.

Will look for some where else to try Fri or Sat after it starts to warm again. Any suggestions appreciated. Plan to move on to Ft Myers area next Monday for Feb and Mar and did bring my 16' lund so plan to explore down there for the first time. Brought along a spare prop!..

Grey Beard

troutman57

If your looking for trout they are in the cuts and passes close to the open Gulf. Your afternoon strategy is spot on. We have been doing well with suspending twitch baits. Friday looks like a winner to me. Thanks a bunch for the report.

davidk5316

Nice report. Troutman will steer you in the right direction, he seems to have a good feel for the area.............