Capt. Tanner running the 23-foot Carolina Skiff across Kings Bay

The 23’ Carolina Skiff on Kings Bay.

Most booked • Year-round • 23’ Carolina Skiff

Crystal River inshore fishing charter

Redfish, speckled trout and snook on the creeks, oyster bars and grass flats between Crystal River and Homosassa. Four or seven hours, up to four anglers, everything but lunch included.

From $600 per boat

5.0 on TripadvisorLicensed & insuredPrivate, priced per boat

Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084

At a glance

Length: 4 or 7 hours
Anglers: Up to 4
Boat: 23’ Carolina Skiff
Season: Year-round
Departs: Pete’s Pier, Crystal River
Price: From $600 per boat

The trip most people book

A private boat with Capt. Tanner working the creeks, oyster bars and grass flats from Crystal River to Homosassa for redfish, speckled trout and snook, with cobia, jacks and Spanish mackerel showing up on the outside in the warmer months. Live bait, artificials or both, whatever the fish want that day.

Both lengths fish the same water with the same gear. Four hours covers one stage of the tide and gets you back for lunch; seven hours lets you follow the fish through the swing and run farther when the bite is somewhere else. Tanner picks the start time around the tide and tells you the evening before.

Best for

Families and first-timers: Tanner rigs, baits and coaches
Kids of any age, with short runs and steady action
Anglers who want a redfish, trout and snook slam
Visitors with a morning or afternoon to spare

Not the right trip if

You want to sight-cast with a fly rod (see the Backcountry Fly trip)
Your group is five or more (call about a second boat)
You are chasing a giant tarpon (see Homosassa Tarpon, April to July)

Pick your length

Same boat, same gear, same water. The only difference is how much of the tide you fish.

4-Hour Trip
Two or three spots on one tide. Morning or afternoon departures, so you are back for lunch or dinner. The pick for families and first-timers.
from$600
7-Hour Trip
A full tide swing, more water and more spots. The one for anglers who want the whole picture of the Nature Coast.
from$700

Price by group size

	1 to 2 anglers	3 to 4 anglers
4 hours	$600	$700
7 hours	$700	$800

Priced per boat, not per person. The base price covers 1 or 2 anglers; 3 or 4 anglers add $100. Fishing licenses, rods, tackle, bait and ice are included. A $100 deposit holds your date and the balance is due after the trip, cash or card (3.5% card fee).

What you’ll catch inshore around Crystal River

Inshore fishing in Crystal River is good twelve months a year. What is biting best changes with the water temperature.

Redfish
Year-round • best September to December
Tailing on the flats in fall, schooled up on the oyster bars in winter. The fish Crystal River is known for.
Speckled trout
Year-round • best November to March
Gator trout over the grass in the cooler months, numbers on the flats the rest of the year.
Snook
March to November
Pushing north every year. Mangrove shorelines and creek mouths on the warmer tides.
Cobia, jacks & mackerel
April to October
The outside bonus on the seven-hour trip when the water warms up. Big pulls on light tackle.

From the boat

Father and daughter holding two redfish — Recent inshore trips out of Crystal River. Click any photo to open the gallery.

The boat

The 23-foot Carolina Skiff running across the bay

23’ Carolina Skiff

Up to 4 anglers • Yamaha outboard • Shade and a cooler

Wide, stable and dry, with plenty of deck for four anglers to fish at once. It floats shallow enough for the flats and handles the open bay when the wind blows. Padded seating, a cooler for the catch and a real head of shade for the kids.

What’s included and what to bring

Included

Saltwater fishing license for everyone on board
Rods, reels, tackle and live or artificial bait
Ice and a cooler for your catch
Fish cleaning at the dock
Bottled water

Bring

Polarized sunglasses and a hat
Sunscreen and light long sleeves
Snacks, lunch and any drinks you want
A light rain jacket in summer
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

Do I need a fishing license?: No. Everyone on board is covered by the boat’s license.
What time do we leave?: Tanner sets the start around the tide, usually between 6:30 and 8 AM for mornings. He texts the time the evening before.
Can we keep the fish?: Yes, within Florida limits and seasons. Your catch is cleaned and bagged on ice at the dock.
What if the weather is bad?: If Tanner calls it, you get a full refund or a new date. Light rain and wind are part of fishing; he decides the morning of.

Book the inshore charter

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.

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