Cedar Key

[fishing coach]

Planning on heading to Cedar Key at the end of this month. My wife and I are looking for a place to stay first of all, any input? Also, any general locations and navigation tips for reds and trout would be helpful. Thanks!

[onefishtwofish]

Going this weekend. Will give you a heads up when I return.

[SBW]

Not quite Cedar Key, but it isn't that far by boat. The area around Buoy #4 coming out of the mouth of the Suwanee has been an incredibly productive spot in my experience. A GPS and a fish finder should put you exactly in the hole I speak of. If you head out a bit further from that spot there is a huge expanse of Grass flats that teem with big Specs in the summer. A little further north is a place called Shired Island that has a creek called Johnson's Creek just to the south of the main beach/campground that the Redfish bite is almost unbeatable in. We used to fish the creek on the falling tide and then head out to the mile marker and flats when the tide turned.

[fishing coach]

Thanks. I'll be looking forward to your report.

[fishing coach]

Not quite Cedar Key, but it isn't that far by boat. The area around Buoy #4 coming out of the mouth of the Suwanee has been an incredibly productive spot in my experience. A GPS and a fish finder should put you exactly in the hole I speak of. If you head out a bit further from that spot there is a huge expanse of Grass flats that teem with big Specs in the summer. A little further north is a place called Shired Island that has a creek called Johnson's Creek just to the south of the main beach/campground that the Redfish bite is almost unbeatable in. We used to fish the creek on the falling tide and then head out to the mile marker and flats when the tide turned.

Are there any navigational hazards (rocks, bars, shallows etc) to be concerned with?

[SBW]

Coming up from Cedar Key, I couldn't tell you, as we always launched from the North. As for the spots themselves: Around the Suwannee spots, not so much. They are far enough out that it's not a real concern. As for the area around Shired Island it has lots of shallows, but not many bars until you hit the creek. Careful on the approach, though, as there are two huge bars just before you get in (also a nice grass bed that would be worth tossing a line o two in). If you fish the Creek and the tide is low enough, navigation will be self-explanatory. Otherwise keep a keen eye on your depth finder, take it nice and slow, and if possible keep a spotter on the bow of the boat and you should be fine.

[SBW]

Are there any navigational hazards (rocks, bars, shallows etc) to be concerned with?

http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/BookletChar ... HomeEd.pdf

Study those and it will answer any questions you have. Even shows you the Oyster Bars. Covers you all the way from Cedar Key. The data for Shired Island and Johnson Creek is on page 5. and the Suwannee entrance on pg 6. Note that Shired Island is not really an island at all, so just study the coastline until you find it. Also there is a place called "seven brothers" that I totally forgot about that usually has excellent action as well. It is also noted on the maps. There is also "Red Bank" reef out of Suwannee, but I have never fished them. Good luck!!

[MudDucker]

There are several bars between Cedar Key and Suwannee. The biggest being the white shell bar about half way. In fact, you have to hit the pompano gap to come between the two inshore. I don't know why you would want to make that run though. There are a lot of productive places closer to Cedar Key.

[Salty Gator]

Cedar key is one of my favorite places to fish. There are plenty of places to do well without going nearly as far north. There are plenty of flats and little key islands right around cedar key or you can go north to the preacher hole area( shows up on google maps). You can put a small boat or yak at shell mound, which is close to the good spots. Watch the tides there, general rule is to put in 2 hrs before hi tide and take out 2 hrs after hi tide. Make sure to get clam chowder from Tony's. You won't be disappointed. Good luck

[fishing coach]

Cedar key is one of my favorite places to fish. There are plenty of places to do well without going nearly as far north. There are plenty of flats and little key islands right around cedar key or you can go north to the preacher hole area( shows up on google maps). You can put a small boat or yak at shell mound, which is close to the good spots. Watch the tides there, general rule is to put in 2 hrs before hi tide and take out 2 hrs after hi tide. Make sure to get clam chowder from Tony's. You won't be disappointed. Good luck

Thanks for the advice. Do you know if there is anywhere to keep my boat in the water? I have a 17' Key West.

[Salty Gator]

I don't know of anywhere w slips. In fact the marina trailers their boats to the landing. I usually pull my boat out at the end of the day. There are some waterfront condos that you could anchor in front of, but watch out for the oysters.

[Salty Gator]

I checked around and there may be slips to rent in "the basin". Which is right next to the main ramp. I'm pretty sure that it is the only place that holds enough water at low tide to float a boat. Most of the waterfront condos get pretty dry when the tide goes out. My buddy has a buddy who may have one for rent, longshot I know, but if it materializes, I'll post the info. Maybe Jim Smith will chime in, he seems to be the person most familiar with cedar key on the forum.

[JIm Smith]

Just got back from Cedar Key. Trout fishing is good on the outside of Snake Key toward the waccassa river in 3 to 5 foot of water. the water is stained to the north side of North Key. Once you get out of the main chanel you need to use care the water depts can vary a lot , no rocks or orsters ,but there is sand bars. Take a good look at the map on the outside of Snake., follow the ship canel untill you get just past Sea horse key then head towards Snake key you will see depths from 12 or 13 ft. go to 2-3 in 50 feet. no real problems on high tide, be carefull on low. It seems the best time is last 3 hr. of high and the first 3of the falling tide. Try the Kingfisher for a place to stay if you dont mind being about 2 miles from down. It only has 5 or 6 rooms but they have stove and ref. and are priced reasonable. boat parking can be somewhat of a chore, its not bad. it is about 5 min to the main boat ramp downtown. If you want a pool and all that goes with it , there are several paces down town. Oh by the way 3 inch new penny gulp on a 1/8 jig or cajun thunder works great for the trout . We limited out on trout Monday and today with an average size of 17in.

[fishing coach]

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming. My parents have always said this is a nice place to get away to and I'm finally going to make it down.

[JIm Smith]

the old saying is that once you get cedar Key sand between you toes, you never want to leave