If you are visiting Cedar Key, Florida and are looking for a fun way to spend your afternoon, you should check out a fishing pier. You can fish for a variety of species and even view the Seahorse Reef from the pier. The fishing pier is also a great place to bring your whole family. When you are finished fishing, the kids can play on the beach or explore the nearby island.
Deadman’s Key
For the fishing enthusiast, a trip to Deadman’s Key should be on the list of things to do. Its location, between Seahorse Key and North Key, offers good access to a wide variety of species. The town is known for its quiet and solitude. This makes it a great place for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
The fishing is excellent year round. There are several piers located in the area. Some are designed to provide access to waterways that are not open to the public. These piers extend over a large passageway with fast moving water.
To get there, follow US 19/98, which parallels Florida’s Big Bend coastline. Drive to the right and you’ll find restrooms at a park just past the FWC building.
Seahorse Reef
Seahorse Reef is a large, sand bar that extends 10 miles off the coast of Cedar Key. This offshore structure consists of a bed of sea grass that attracts migrating baitfish.
During the summer months, the reef is a magnet for Spanish Mackerel. During the spring and fall, it is a popular spot for grouper. The reef is also home to black seabass.
While the area isn’t as wild as some of the Florida Keys, it is still home to many fishing opportunities. You’ll find Redfish, Cobia, and Sheepshead near the island.
Grass flats and oyster bars are still producing the best bite. Trout and Shrimp are working well. Fish are biting great on the morning and evening tides.
The offshore fishery has been sluggish due to the recent storms. However, it has recently reopened, and is expected to remain active until at least the end of the year. There are many Sharks in the channels, as well as Tarpon.
Underwater structure
There is a lot to see and do in Cedar Key. This small city is home to a couple of museums, nature trails, and historic buildings. It is also close to the Gulf of Mexico and has some great fishing spots. However, it can be a bit tricky to navigate. The best way to find the best spots is to simply walk around.
One of the things that makes Cedar Key so cool is the variety of fish that can be caught there. You can catch a range of species, from spotted trout to sailfin catfish. If you are an angler who is into bottom fishing, you will have more opportunities to snag some of the larger varieties of game fish.
Tarpons
The Seahorse Reef in Cedar Key, Florida, provides the best conditions for fishing tarpons. This area is also one of the best spots in the state for red drum.
Tarpons in Cedar Key are most commonly caught in the summer months. However, they are still spotted all year long.
For the most part, you’ll have to use patience and good judgment to hook a tarpon. The best times for fishing in Cedar Key are early mornings, late afternoons, and nights.
This area is home to many species of fish. They are not all available at once, but you can catch your share of trout, bass, and other types of fish.
You can find the tarpons in Cedar Key in shallow waters or at deeper reefs. The biggest is probably on the offshore side, but they are not quite in their prime yet.
Cobias
The Cedar Key fishing pier is a place to get a variety of fish. You can catch Cobia, Red Grouper, and Kingfish. These species can be found in both inshore and offshore locations.
For inshore anglers, you will find redfish, seatrout, and spotted trout. You can use live shrimp, squid, and mullet. Live pinfish is also a good bait. If you are a fly fisherman, you can catch “gator trout” and Spanish makerel.
Inshore fishing is best from May through September. This time of year, you’ll see kingfish, jacks, and reds. Fish are moving into shallow water and are looking for bait. Try trolling with free lines out back or bottom fishing.
Offshore, you will find cobia, Spanish, and grouper. These fish love Sardines and Threadfins. Some anglers are also catching Cobia on jerkbaits and swimbaits.