Speckled troutInshore · year-round
RedfishInshore · Aug to Oct peak
TarponHomosassa · mid-Apr to Jul
ScallopsJul to Sep
Ducksmid-Nov to Jan
A fly-caught redfish on the Ozello flats.
Backcountry • Poling skiff • 1 to 2 anglers
Crystal River fly fishing charter
Sight fishing from the bow of an 18-foot Hells Bay while Capt. Tanner poles the grass flats and backcountry creeks. Tailing redfish, mangrove snook and big trout, on fly or light tackle.
From $600 per boat
5.0 on TripadvisorLicensed & insuredPrivate, priced per boat
At a glance
- Length
- 4 or 7 hours
- Anglers
- 1 to 2
- Boat
- 18’ Hells Bay Professional
- Season
- Year-round
- Departs
- Pete’s Pier, Crystal River
- Price
- From $600 per boat
Fly fishing the Crystal River and Homosassa flats
This is the trip for anglers who want to see the fish before they cast. Tanner poles the skinny grass flats of Ozello and Homosassa and the backcountry creeks behind them, one angler on the bow at a time, looking for tailing redfish, cruising snook and trout holding in the potholes. Fly rod or light spinning tackle, your call.
Two anglers is the limit by design: a quiet skiff, room to cast and a captain on the platform reading the water. Bring your own rods or fish Tanner’s. An 8-weight with a floating line and a handful of shrimp and crab patterns covers most days; he has them tied.
Best for
- Fly anglers who want tailing redfish in clear, shallow water
- Spin anglers who want to sight-cast with light tackle
- Anglers learning to fly fish: Tanner teaches casting on the water
- One or two serious anglers who want the whole boat to themselves
Not the right trip if
- Your group is three or more (see the Inshore Charter)
- You want to soak bait and relax (the Inshore Charter does that better)
- You are after the big tarpon (see Homosassa Tarpon, April to July)
Pick your length
Four hours fishes one tide close to the ramp. Seven hours gets you to the best flats for the day and waits out a slow stretch.
- 4-Hour Trip
One tide on the flats closest to the ramp. Good for a first sight-fishing trip or a quick morning before the wind comes up.
from$600 - 7-Hour Trip
Enough time to run to the best flats for the tide and wait out a slow stretch. The pick for serious fly anglers.
from$700
Price by group size
| 1 to 2 anglers | |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | $600 |
| 7 hours | $700 |
Priced per boat for 1 or 2 anglers. The poling skiff is limited to two anglers for safety and casting room. Licenses, fly and spin tackle, flies and ice are included. $100 deposit holds your date; balance after the trip.
What you’ll cast at
Clear water and shallow grass mean you see most of the fish you catch.
Redfish
Year-round • best September to December
Tailing on the flats on the low incoming. Crab and shrimp patterns, short accurate casts.
Snook
March to November
Laid up along the mangroves and creek mouths. Baitfish patterns, tight to the roots.
Speckled trout
Year-round • best November to March
Big trout in the potholes on the flats. The easiest fish to get a beginner onto with a fly.
Juvenile tarpon
May to September
Backcountry creeks on summer mornings. Ten to forty pounds and a lot of jumping.
From the bow
The boat
18’ Hells Bay Professional
The flats skiff. Quiet, light and shallow enough to pole across grass in less than a foot of water, with a casting deck up front and the captain on the platform behind you. No shade, no cooler lid to sit on, and that is the point.
What’s included and what to bring
Included
- Saltwater fishing license for everyone on board
- Fly rods, lines, leaders and flies, or bring your own
- Light spinning tackle as a backup
- Ice and a cooler for your catch
- Bottled water
Bring
- Polarized sunglasses (a must for sight fishing)
- Sun hat, buff and long sleeves
- Your own fly rods if you prefer them
- Snacks and lunch
- Cash for the 20% tip
What anglers say
5.0 on Tripadvisor
★★★★★“The best trip I’ve ever had!”
Capt. Tanner was able to put me on my first snook and first tarpon. 100% recommend and will be booking him again very soon!!
Jacob G. • Sept 2025
★★★★★“Amazing trip!”
The captain was so knowledgeable regarding everything. He knew about the plant life as well as marine life. He knew the water channels like the back of his hand.
Sherry T.
Before you book
- I have never fly fished. Can I still book this?
- Yes. Tanner teaches on the water and keeps light spin tackle rigged as a backup, so nobody goes home without bending a rod.
- What rod should I bring?
- An 8-weight with a floating line covers redfish, snook and trout. Bring a 10 if you want to chase juvenile tarpon in summer. Or fish Tanner’s.
- Why only two anglers?
- Sight fishing needs a quiet skiff and room to cast. Three people on an 18-foot boat means somebody is always in the way.
- What if it is windy?
- Wind is the enemy of sight fishing. Tanner moves to protected creeks and lee shorelines, or calls it and reschedules at no cost.
Book the fly & light tackle trip
Pick a length, pick a date. $100 deposit holds it; the balance is due after the trip.
Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084Other trips with Capt. Tanner
Every trip is private and priced per boat. See all trips on the Charters page.
Fly & Light Tackle
Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084Information only. Length and date are chosen in the booking calendar.