Redfish
Found around oyster bars, creek mouths, points and shallow flats. Harvest is open year-round in FWC’s Big Bend region: 18–27″ slot, 1 per person, 4 per vessel.
Chassahowitzka • Homosassa • Nature Coast
Chassahowitzka River Fishing Charters
Spring-fed headwaters, a winding river through protected refuge land, and shallow Gulf bays and islands at the mouth. Fish it with Captain Al, on the Chassahowitzka since 1997.
A Spring-Fed River Through Wild Florida
The Chassahowitzka River begins at Chassahowitzka Springs and flows nearly seven miles, mostly through undeveloped land, to the Gulf near the Citrus–Hernando county line. Most of the land along the river is publicly owned and protected.
Downriver, the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge covers about 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, estuaries and brackish marshes, with hardwood swamp along its eastern edge and mangrove islands toward the Gulf. It runs 12 miles from part of the Homosassa River south across the Chassahowitzka to Raccoon Point. That mix of spring water, tidal creeks, shallow grass bays and islands is what makes the area such good inshore fishing. Coming from town? See Homosassa fishing charters.
Sources: SWFWMD (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab).
What You Can Catch
Species and timing depend on water temperature, tides, weather and current regulations. These are the inshore fish Nature Coast anglers most often target.
Spotted Seatrout
A staple of the shallow grass bays outside the river. Big Bend region: open year-round, 15–19″ slot, 5 per person (one over 19″ allowed per vessel, within the bag).
Snook
Snook favor warmer water and often move toward spring-fed rivers when the Gulf cools. Harvest is closed Dec 1–end of Feb and May 1–Aug 31; slot 28–33″, 1 per person.
Tarpon
The Nature Coast is known for tarpon in the warmer months. Tarpon are catch-and-release only in Florida, and fish over 40″ must stay in the water.
FWC Harvest Rules at a Glance
| Species | Harvest season | Size & bag limit |
|---|---|---|
| Redfish (red drum) | Open year-round | 18–27″ slot; 1 per person, 4 per vessel |
| Spotted seatrout | Open year-round | 15–19″ slot; 5 per person (one over 19″ per vessel, within the bag) |
| Snook | Closed Dec 1 – end of Feb and May 1 – Aug 31 | 28–33″ slot; 1 per person |
| Tarpon | Catch-and-release only | Over 40″ must stay in the water (tag only for record attempts) |
On a for-hire trip, the captain and crew may not keep a bag limit of redfish, trout or snook. Rules change, so Captain Al will confirm what’s open for your date. Sources: FWC redfish (opens in a new tab), FWC seatrout (opens in a new tab), FWC snook (opens in a new tab), FWC tarpon (opens in a new tab).
Fishing the Chassahowitzka Through the Year
- Winter Cold fronts push many fish toward warmer spring-fed water and deeper holes. Snook harvest is closed; redfish and trout are open.
- Spring Warming water gets fish moving onto the flats. Snook harvest is open in March and April.
- Summer Early starts beat the heat. It’s tarpon time on the Nature Coast, and bay scallop season on the grass flats (July 1 – Sept 24 in 2026).
- Fall Cooling water and bait on the flats make for a strong inshore season. Snook harvest reopens September through November.
Fishing Charter Rates
Half Day
$400
- Fishing license, bait, rods and tackle included
Full Day
$600
- Fishing license, bait, rods and tackle included
Recent Catches
Trip photos, catches and videos are posted on Captain Al’s Facebook page.
Chassahowitzka Fishing FAQ
Is a fishing license included on Captain Al’s charters?
Yes. Captain Al’s half-day and full-day fishing charters include the fishing license, bait, rods and tackle. Under FWC rules, anglers fishing from a for-hire vessel with a valid charter license don’t need their own saltwater license. FWC license exemptions (opens in a new tab).
Can you keep snook from the Chassahowitzka?
Only in open season. The Chassahowitzka is in FWC’s Big Bend snook region, where harvest is closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through August 31. When open, snook must be 28–33 inches total length, one per person per day.
What is the redfish limit around Chassahowitzka?
In FWC’s Big Bend region redfish (red drum) are open year-round with an 18–27 inch slot, one per person per day and four per vessel.
Can you keep a tarpon?
No. Tarpon are catch-and-release only in Florida, and tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. The only exception is a tarpon tag bought in pursuit of a state or world record.
Is fishing allowed in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists fishing, crabbing and shellfishing among the refuge’s activities. Feeding, enticing or disturbing wildlife is prohibited, and the refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Refuge rules (opens in a new tab).
Book by call or text
Book a Chassahowitzka fishing trip
Call or text Captain Al with your date, the number of people and the trip you’d like. He’ll confirm availability, rates and where to meet. No payment or deposit is collected online.
Tap “Text Captain Al” and a message is started for you. Just fill in your date and group size.