Duck hunters with a full boat after a morning hunt

A full boat after a Nature Coast morning hunt.

Mid-November to end of January • Up to 3 hunters • Prodigy surface drive

Florida duck hunting guide: Crystal River marsh hunts

A Florida duck hunting guide with his own boat, blind and decoys. Marsh and backwater hunts out of Crystal River for redheads, bluebills, teal and the mixed bag that winters along the Gulf, with a captain who scouts all week.

$500 for 2 hunters per boat

5.0 on TripadvisorLicensed & insuredPrivate, priced per boat

Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084

At a glance

Hunt
Morning hunt
Hunters
Up to 3
Boat
18’ Prodigy surface drive
Season
Mid-Nov to end of Jan
Departs
Crystal River area ramp
Price
$500 for 2 hunters

Gulf-coast ducks without hauling a boat

When the fishing slows in late fall, Capt. Tanner swaps the push pole for the Prodigy surface drive and hunts the marshes, creeks and backwater ponds of the Nature Coast. Redheads and bluebills raft up on the open water, teal and the mixed bag work the marsh, and Tanner has been watching where they sit all week.

Hunts include the boat, decoys, blind and a captain who does the scouting. You bring your shotgun, shells, a Florida hunting license with state and federal duck stamps, and waders. Two hunters is standard; a third fits in the blind for $250 more.

Best for

  • Hunters who want Gulf-coast divers and puddle ducks without trailering a boat down
  • Visiting hunters who do not know the marsh
  • A cast-and-blast day: hunt the morning, fish the afternoon

Not the right trip if

  • Groups of four or more (three is the blind limit)
  • You need a dog on the hunt (ask first)
  • Your dates are outside mid-November to January

Pick your group

Two hunters is the standard hunt. A third hunter adds $250.

  • 2 hunters

    The standard hunt. Two guns in the blind with Tanner working the decoys and calling.

    per hunt$500
  • 3 hunters

    Add a third hunter for $250. Three is the limit for the boat and the blind.

    per hunt$750

Price by group size

2 hunters3 hunters
Morning hunt$500$750

$500 for two hunters, $250 for a third. Three hunters max. Hunting license, duck stamps, shotgun and shells are not included. $100 deposit holds your date.

What you’ll hunt

The Nature Coast winters a mix of divers on the open water and puddle ducks in the marsh.

  • Redheads

    December and January

    Big rafts on the open bays once it gets cold up north. The Gulf-coast specialty.

  • Bluebills (scaup)

    December and January

    Rafted with the redheads, decoying hard on a windy morning.

  • Teal

    November onward

    Blue-wings and green-wings buzzing the marsh ponds at first light.

  • Mixed bag

    All season

    Pintail, wigeon, gadwall, mottled ducks and the occasional black duck, depending on the week.

From the blind

Duck season on the Nature Coast. Click a photo to open the gallery.

The boat

The 18-foot Prodigy surface drive mud boat

18’ Prodigy surface drive

Up to 3 hunters • Mud motor • Blind and decoys aboard

A mud boat built for the marsh. The surface-drive motor runs over grass, mud and inches of water where an outboard would be stuck, which is how Tanner gets to the ponds the birds actually use.

What’s included and what to bring

Included

  • Boat, blind and full decoy spread
  • Captain who scouts all week and calls the hunt
  • Bird cleaning at the ramp
  • Bottled water

Bring

  • Shotgun and non-toxic shells
  • Florida hunting license with state and federal duck stamps
  • Waders and warm camo layers
  • Snacks and a thermos
  • Cash for the 20% tip

What anglers say

  5.0 on Tripadvisor

★★★★★

“Excellent Charter”

Captain Tanner Martin was raised on the river. Knows the area better than anyone. Works hard to make sure you get a good catch.

Josh Y.
★★★★★

“Perfect”

Captain Martin is a wonderful guide and host. His knowledge of these waters is incredible and he always has ways to adapt to changing conditions.

Mitchell W.
Read every review on Tripadvisor ›

Before you book

What license do I need?
A Florida hunting license with the state waterfowl permit and the federal duck stamp. Non-residents can buy a short-term license online.
Is a dog on the hunt?
Ask when you book. Retrieves are handled by the boat if there is no dog.
How many birds can we take?
Federal and Florida daily bag limits apply by species. Tanner knows the current limits and keeps the count.
Can we fish the same day?
Yes. Hunt the morning, then fish the afternoon on the Inshore Charter. Ask about cast-and-blast pricing.

Book a duck hunt

Pick a length, pick a date. $100 deposit holds it; the balance is due after the trip.

Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084

Other trips with Capt. Tanner

Every trip is private and priced per boat. See all trips on the Charters page.

Call Book
Call now