Nature Coast
Crystal River Fishing Weather & Tides
Spring-fed flats, scalloping grounds, and Nature Coast redfish.
Today on the water
Tuesday, July 21Right now it's 86°F and clear at Crystal River, with wind SSW 13 mph (gusts 23). The forecast high is 89° with a 25% chance of rain.
Today's tides
- Low tide2:25 AM (0.8 ft)
- High tide8:18 AM (2.6 ft)
- Low tide3:40 PM (0.5 ft)
- High tide8:57 PM (2.0 ft)
Sun
- Sunrise6:45 AM
- Sunset8:28 PM
- UV index9
Fishing Crystal River
Crystal River sits on Florida's Nature Coast, where spring-fed Kings Bay opens onto miles of shallow grass flats. Winter pushes redfish and trout up onto the flats and manatees into the springs; summer brings scallopers and cobia along the nearshore rock piles. Wind direction matters more than almost anything here — a hard easterly can blow the skinny water off the flats entirely.
Target species
- Redfish
- Spotted seatrout
- Cobia
- Tarpon
Local tip: The flats fish best on a moving tide; a morning incoming in the warmer months is the classic window.
Crystal River fishing & weather FAQ
- What are the tides in Crystal River today?
- Crystal River's tide predictions come from the NOAA CO-OPS station at Shell Island, Crystal River. Today's high and low tide times are shown above and update through the day on the live dashboard.
- What fish can you catch at Crystal River?
- Crystal River is known for Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Cobia, and more. The mix shifts with the season, water temperature, and tide — check the live conditions before you run.
- What's the best weather app for fishing Crystal River?
- Salty Forecast is built for exactly this stretch of coast — it combines tides for Kings Bay & the Gulf, wind and gust forecasts, water temperature from nearby NOAA buoys, live radar, and offshore swell in one clean, free view aimed at anglers.
- Is the wind good for fishing Crystal River right now?
- Wind direction and speed make or break a day on the water. The live Salty Forecast dashboard shows current wind and gusts, an hourly wind forecast, and an animated wind map so you can pick the calmest window and the most protected water.
Nearby spots
Tides from NOAA CO-OPS (Shell Island, Crystal River). Forecast from Open-Meteo. Salty Forecast is a free hyperlocal weather app built for anglers — species and local notes are general guidance, not fishing advice. Always check current conditions and regulations before heading out.