Crystal River & the Gulf
Fish We Catch
Pick a fish and we'll show you when it's in season, where we find it and which trips target it.
All species
Gag Grouper
Sept 1–30, 2026 only
Red Snapper
June 1–Oct 25, 2026 (charter season)
Mangrove Snapper
Open year-round
Hogfish
Open year-round
Redfish
Open year-round
Spotted Seatrout
Open year-round
Sheepshead
Open year-round · best Feb–AprSeasons
When things are open
A quick reference. Regulations change during the year, so we link to the current FWC rules for each species.
| Species | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gag grouper (Gulf) | 2026: open Sept 1–30, state and federal waters (closes 12:01 a.m. Oct 1) | Set each year by NOAA and FWC — dates move. 24" min, 2 per person within the 4-grouper limit. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Red grouper (Gulf) | Open year-round in state waters; federal waters closed Feb 1 – Mar 31 beyond 20 fathoms | 20" min, 2 per person within the 4-grouper limit. NOAA can close early if the catch limit is reached. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Red snapper (charter / for-hire) | 2026: June 1 – Oct 25 (closes 12:01 a.m. Oct 26) | Federal for-hire season, which is what applies on a charter. Florida's private-boat dates are different and don't apply to our trips. 16" min, 2 per person. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Mangrove (gray) snapper | Open year-round | 10" min in state waters, 12" in federal waters; 5 per person inside 9 miles, 10 beyond. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Hogfish (Gulf) | Open year-round on the Nature Coast | 14" fork length, 5 per person. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Redfish (Big Bend) | Open year-round | 18–27" slot, 1 per person, 4 per boat. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Spotted seatrout (Big Bend) | Open year-round | 15–19" slot, 5 per person, one over 19" per boat. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Sheepshead | Open year-round | 12" min, 8 per person; boat limit of 50 per trip in March and April. Best late winter into spring around the spawn. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-20) |
| Greater amberjack (Gulf) | 2026: Sept 1 – Oct 13 | Short quota season, opens Sept 1 each year. 34" fork length, 1 per person. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Bay scallops (Crystal River / Homosassa zone) | July 1 – Sept 24 each year | 2 gallons whole (or 1 pint meat) per person; 10 gallons whole (or ½ gallon meat) per boat. FWC can close a zone mid-season for water quality. Current rules (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-09-19) |
Seasons and limits change. Always confirm current rules with FWC before your trip — we fish within the regulations on the day.
No. Native Charters FL is an FWC-licensed charter, and that license covers every guest on board. You do not need your own Florida saltwater fishing license or the State Reef Fish Angler designation. The same coverage applies to scalloping. Just bring a valid ID.
Grouper, snapper and hogfish, depending on how far we run and what is in season. The 30 Mile Max is hogfish, mangrove snapper and grunts; at 40 and 50 miles grouper joins the list; the 80 Mile Max and the Florida Middle Grounds add red snapper in the federal for-hire season and bigger grouper. Gag has its own short fall season. Mangrove snapper and hogfish are open year-round. Each trip page lists its targets.
Redfish and spotted seatrout most days, plus snook, flounder, black drum, Spanish mackerel and sheepshead depending on tide and season. We fish whatever the tide favors, usually redfish or trout first, with live bait and jigs over the flats, rock piles, oyster bars and river mouths around Crystal River. Sheepshead get their own seasonal full-day trip in late winter and early spring, around the spawn.
During the federal for-hire red snapper season, which opens June 1 every year. In 2026 it runs June 1 through Oct 25, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct 26. Florida's private-boat season has different dates and does not apply to charters. The limit is 2 per person with a 16-inch minimum.
NOAA sets the close date each spring, so check the current dates before booking. Our 80 Mile Max trip is built for this season.
Gag is a short fall season. In 2026 it is open Sept 1–30 in both Gulf state and federal waters, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct 1. The limit is 2 per person with a 24-inch minimum, within the 4-grouper aggregate. NOAA and FWC set the dates each year, so check the current season before booking a gag trip.
We run gag trips on both boats: Inshore Gag Grouper on the 27' and the Offshore Gag Full Day on the 35'.
NOAA in federal waters and FWC in Florida state waters, and yes, you keep your catch within their limits. Seasons for gag grouper, red snapper and amberjack are reset every year, so we confirm the current rules before every trip and fish strictly within them. On a charter the captain and crew keep no grouper, red snapper, redfish or seatrout, so the limits are all yours.
Ready to pick a date?
Book online any time, or call and we'll help you pick the right trip and boat.