fish know how good of a fisherman that I am, so generally they leave the area that Im in once they know Ive arrived, ususlly takes about 10 minutes after I drop a couple $100 at the tackle shop, then all the fish migrate to the next state

I seem to do a good job running them off hitting all them rocks on the way in up there. Have we mentioned its rocky up there?

Add to that some strong winter lows and well, you can wade just about anywhere you need to go... Last X-mas was 75 degrees here in Lakeland. So you better pack for cold and mild weather.

Its getting that time. Got a house on the river rented for the holidays. We've got a half day charter for grouper booked. I've got the trailer loaded up with four kayaks. As a family, were going to paddle the rivers around the rental house to do some manatee watching. At some point, I plan to sneak away in one of the kayaks to do some fishing. Where do I need to put in? Is there anything to fish for in the springs area or do I need to get out in the salt? I've read the manatee restrictions, anything else I need to know about?

I'm not super familiar with the area as I've been going out 45 minutes south of there, but I know the hurricane did some damage up that way and has some ramps closed down. We've had a mild winter so far, and the reports still have most of the fushing out on the deeper grass flats. There has been some reports of snapper starti g up into the river mouths.

7 inch red & white rapala with the metal bill has been the hot lure this year

Good luck

is there any fishing in the springs area? I'm assuming its fresh water. I didn't know if theres anything other than manatees and grass there. Do I need a fresh water license in addition to salt?

Yes, you'll need a freshwater license for freshwater species or if fishing in fresh. If fishing in brackish or salt, you need a saltwater fishing license. Not sure how good there freshwater fishing is in crystal river, so I can't comment there.

Theres a road towards the south end of Crystal River that goes all the way out to the Gulf with a beach, fishing pier, and a ranp at a creek mouth just south of the nuke plant. The ramp and all trailer parking is closed from the hurricane, but if you can throw a kayak on your roof and get it out there that way, it's a short paddle from the beach out to some really nice flats. Only catch is there is TONS of oyster bars out there, so you have to watch the bottom or else you'll be high and dry on some nasty bottom. Just remembered today we went out there to the beach and could park there, but there was no trailer parking if I remember correctly.

Just checked and it's called Fort Island at the end of 44.

thanks. google maps show the place we are staying at is just South of the ditch, so i expect to be in salt most of the time