Cedar Key, FL

[TKHathaway]

Anyone ever fished here? I have to go to Cedar Key this weekend for a buddy's birthday & was debating bringing the kayak.

I've looked at some aerials & it appears to have some pretty prime trout/redfish fishing areas. I've looked around the web for more info on this area but can't seem to find much.

If anyone has any pointers on where to fish this area, I'd greatly appreciate it!

[Salty Gator]

Great place to fish, I like the shell mound area. Easy paddle to the good spots. I would most definitely take the yak.

[TKHathaway]

Thanks Salty! Where exactly is the shell mound area, if you dont mind me asking?

Also, I've heard of a large oyster bar that's not too bad to paddle to down there but I'm not sure where exactly that is either...

[Salty Gator]

It is at the dead end of co rd 326. It is nw of cedar key a little. Probably out of the way for you. There are plenty of good places to fish in cedar key. I don't fish there often, but atsena otie key and grassy key are good spots close to the main ramp. Maybe Jim Smith will chime in, he always seems to have good cedar key info.

[onefishtwofish]

Thanks Salty. My wife and I are meeting 2 couples there in July (50-30 weekend - all of us turning 50 and all celebrating 30 year anniversaries). Gonna try to sneak in some early morning fishing before everyone is up. We should be able to see those keys from the house we are staying in.

[JIm Smith]

great place to take your yak. you can put in at #4 bridge which is the first bridge going into Cedar Keys, and fish the backwaters, lots of bars, you can also put in at beach, from there you can try around the islands. Shell mound has been doing well on reds on an incoming tide. there is not much boat traffic at the mound because it takes a really shallow draft boat, six inches can be way to much. My brother-in-law wades and pulls his 10 foot john boat with cooler behind him. fishing around otie key to snake key would be your best bet on the outside keys. I'll be there fri. if you happen to be there look for a 19 clearwater bay boat named the last one in. good luck

[JIm Smith]

TK You might check around the city dock sat for Capt Jimbo or his dad jimmy fishassasion charters great guides and willing to help if they can

[TKHathaway]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Will be bringing the yak for sure & breaking in a brand new Ci4 as well.

I think I've decided to try the Atsena Otie Key area, as the shell mound is a bit far from where we're staying.

That's a lot of good advice Jim, I appreciate it. I'm sure I'll be at the dock at some point Sat. morning, as I'll likely have to rent a kayak for the gf as well. I'll be on the lookout for you, I'll be in the red perception kayak with FSU spears on both sides.

If it goes well I'll try & come back with an update.

Thanks again everyone

[Salty Gator]

Be careful w the ci4 in the yak. The bearings apparently don't like salt water. And make sure to put some tape over those spears. That's gator country. Good luck, post some pics.

[wevans]

Noles DO NOT fear the gators no matter where we are

[Salty Gator]

Just kidding wevans, we all know ALL gators are classy and would never mess with your stuff. Make absolutely sure you stop at Tonys to get some clam chowder. It is like liquid gold in your mouth. Can get it to go, hot, cold or frozen. Be careful, if you taste it you will finish the quart.

[TKHathaway]

Even though I didn't get hooked up on anything to get over-excited about, I just figured I'd follow this up with an actual report of how it went.

My buddies and I got up a little later than anticipated on Sat. (Brian over at Big Deck's sure was heavy handed when he made those drinks Fri night ) & after some aspirin & re-hydrating we decided we'd give Atsena Otie Key a go.

Hooked up pretty early on on a barely keeper speck while trolling a popping cork with a Gulp crab. This was on the West side of the island.


Then closer to the South side I reeled in my first red from the kayak! It was about a 1/2" shy from slot, but I was pretty excited to land one in a yak nonetheless. As you can see, I j/ used a red jig head with a new penny Gulp shrimp.


My other buddies caught a couple more trout on some live bait & a flounder, but after that the bites really died down & we had females that needed tending to, so decided to pack it up.

All in all, Cedar Key was a great time & I'm really glad I brought the yak.

Thanks again for all the advice from you guys. Oh and by the way, paid the $18 for a quart of the clam chowder to go at Tony's & reheated when I got back to Tally. I can say it was by far worth the money & the best clam chowder I've ever eaten

[JIm Smith]

Sounds like you had a pretty good time, found the bite to be an early morning bite myself last fri. If you get a chance to come back sometime let me know