The 1856 Prodigy mud boat on the backwater

The 1856 Prodigy on the backwater.

Winter backwater • Nov to Feb • 1856 Prodigy mud boat

Crystal River mud boat fishing trip

From November to February the negative low tides drain the flats and push redfish and trout into the deep holes and mangrove channels. The 1856 Prodigy runs through inches of water, and sometimes straight mud, to reach them. Four to six hours, up to three anglers, kid and family friendly.

From $500 per boat

5.0 on TripadvisorLicensed & insuredPrivate, priced per boat

Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084

At a glance

Length
4 to 6 hours
Anglers
Up to 3 anglers
Boat
1856 Prodigy mud boat
Season
November to February
Departs
Pete’s Pier, Crystal River
Price
From $500 per boat

Low tides trap the fish. The mud boat reaches them.

Mud boat fishing is a winter thing in Crystal River and Homosassa. From November through February we get much lower negative tides that drain the flats and push the fish into the deep holes and channels back in the mangroves, essentially trapping them. That means more opportunity, less pressure and a better shot at quality fish.

The boat is an 1856 Prodigy, a mud boat that runs in extremely shallow water and sometimes straight mud, which is how we get back into the areas where the fish are holding. The trips focus on active inshore water where redfish, trout and whatever else is back there are feeding aggressively. It is unlike any other fishing in Crystal River, and it is kid and family friendly.

Best for

  • Winter negative tides, November through February
  • Anglers who want numbers and quality fish with less pressure
  • Families with kids, and group or corporate trips on as many boats as you need

Not the right trip if

  • More than three anglers on one boat (we add a second boat)
  • Anyone who wants shade and a smooth, dry ride
  • Summer dates (the trip runs on winter tides)

Pick your group size

Every trip runs four to six hours, timed to the low tide. The price is per boat and goes by how many are fishing. More than three? We add boats.

  • 1 or 2 anglers

    Four to six hours on the winter low tide. The standard mud boat trip.

     $500
  • 3 anglers

    Same trip with a third angler for $100 more. Three is the max on the Prodigy.

     $600

Price by group size

1 or 2 anglers3 anglers
Per boat$500$600

Priced per boat. Licenses, tackle, bait and ice included. $100 deposit holds your date.

Group and corporate trips: as many boats as you need, same price per boat. Call (352) 577-4084 for a quote.

What you’ll catch

Fish that the low tide has pushed into the holes and channels, feeding hard.

  • Redfish

    Nov to Feb • trapped in the holes

    Pushed into the deep holes and mangrove channels when the flats drain. The main target.

  • Speckled trout

    Nov to Feb • deep channels

    Stacked in the deeper channels when the water drops. Numbers days are common.

  • Black drum

    Winter

    Big schools in the deeper backwater holes on the coldest days.

  • Sheepshead

    Winter and spring

    On every oyster-covered root and piling back there. Light tackle, small hooks.

From the backwater

Winter redfish and trout on the mud boat. Click any photo to open the gallery.

The boat

The 1856 Prodigy mud boat in shallow water

1856 Prodigy mud boat

Up to 3 anglers • Surface drive • Open deck

An 1856 Prodigy: 18 feet long, 56 inches wide, with a surface-drive mud motor that runs over grass, mud and inches of water where an outboard would be stuck. No shade, no cushions, and it gets into creeks the Carolina Skiff and the Hells Bay cannot touch.

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

★★★★★

“The best day!”

Tanner was very knowledgeable and took us right to the fish! He spent a lot of time explaining our surroundings and was very personable.

Reneholt4
★★★★★

“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.
Read every review on Tripadvisor ›

Before you book

How many anglers?
Up to three on the Prodigy: $500 for one or two, $100 for the third. Bigger groups and corporate trips go out on multiple boats; call for a quote.
Why the mud boat instead of the skiff?
On the lowest tides the flats drain and the skiffs cannot get back to where the fish go. The surface drive can.
Is it rough?
Rougher than the skiff: mud, grass, no shade and a loud motor. Kids and families do fine on it; the water back there is shallow and calm.
When is it best?
November through February, on the negative low tides. Tanner picks the start time to hit the bottom of the tide.

Book a mud boat trip

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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