Reel Time Outfitters

Join a group of experienced anglers who specialize in inshore fishing. Reel Time Outfitters is operated by Captain Leon, who has dedicated his career to exploring shallow waters and the fish that inhabit them.

This charter is family-friendly and encourages everyone to participate in the action. Capt. Leon will do his best to amuse your kids with this sport and help them to potentially discover a new hobby. You’re never too young or too old to start fishing. So start now, with a professional who can show you the best bits.

You’ll fish aboard a 21’ flats boat that’s powered by a 115 HP Mercury engine. There’s enough room for 5 guests to fish in comfort. This center console features various navigational and safety electronics, and a CPR trained crew. The boat also features an anchoring system and a cooler which is ideal for storing fish until the end of the trip.

Set off to local reefs, wrecks, flats, and backcountry. These spots are full of species like Redfish, Snook, Spotted Seatrout, Tarpon, and Tripletail. In slightly deeper spots, you’ll be able to target Cobia, Snapper, Grouper, Shark, Jack Crevalle, and Spanish Mackerel.

Captain Leon covers your fly fishing equipment, rods, reels, tackle, live and artificial baits, and your fishing license. He’ll gladly clean and fillet your catch, so you can take it home for a great meal. Just bring your food, drinks, and sun protection.

*Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, please bring your own snorkel gear. If you have any questions about which gear to buy or rent, please contact the captain.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Crappie & Bass
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Dec 1 - Mar 31
    $400
    This is a 5-hour trip. You can expect to fish for crappie and largemouth bass on Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County or Lake Hernando in Citrus County.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Largemouth)
    Largemouth Bass
    Crappie
    Crappie
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Scalloping (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    $450
    This trip will be fun for kids over the age of 5 to swim around and pick up scallops in the shallow, crystal clear waters of the bay. Bring a cooler to put the scallops in after you get back to your vehicle. Don't forget some snacks and drinks. If you're planning to go snorkeling, please bring your gear, as a COVID-19 precaution.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Scalloping (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    $450
    This afternoon trip is great if you're coming with your family and don't want to focus on fishing. The captain will take you to shallow waters of the bay. Since they are only 4' deep, they are great for kids to collect scallops here. Don't forget to bring your cooler, snacks, and drinks.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM) (4 MAX)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $450
    This short morning trip will take you after Snook, Trout, and Redfish on the flats of Crystal River. Your captain covers all fishing equipment you'll need, so you just need to bring some snacks and drinks for the day. Don't forget sun protection.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM) (4 MAX)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $450
    Spend this afternoon fishing for Snook, Trout, and Redfish on the flats of Crystal River. This trip is favorite among families with children. You can keep your catch after the trip, so all you need is to find a great restaurant when you leave the marina.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip (4 MAX)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $550
    You'll be fishing for Trout, Redfish, Snook, Sharks, and maybe some Groupers. Let the captain know if you're fishing for the first time, so you can start off with something easy and then proceed to more tricky fish. This trip is limited to 4 guests only.
  • Private trip
    7 Hour Scallop Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    $600
    This 7-hour trip includes your scallop gear, cooler with ice for your drinks and snacks. Once you are done scalloping, the captain will take you and your party back to springs to cool off in the 72-degree water. Please bring your snorkel gear.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Scallop & Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Sep 24
    $650
    This trip is split into two parts. You'll spend one half scalloping and the other half catching fish. You'll start by exploring the mangroves for Redfish or moving out to some open waters for Trout. Once the weather gets warmer, you'll head to the scallop grounds to cool off in the water and snorkel for those yummy scallops.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip—Shallow Water Grouper
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Dec 31
    $650
    Most wouldn't think of catching Grouper in such shallow water but that's what makes the fishery so special. From bottom fishing with live and cut bait to trolling shallow diving plugs to throwing casting plugs at shallow rocks, this fish puts up a huge fight trying to get back into its home. You're targeting rocks, ledges, springs, holes, and any kind of structure that will hold fish.
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FAQs about Reel Time Outfitters

Reel Time Outfitters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $400 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip – Crappie & Bass (5 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Scalloping (AM) (4 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $75 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Scalloping (PM) (4 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 MAX) (5 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 MAX) (5 hours)
  • $550 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (4 MAX) (8 hours)
  • $600 per group, additional $75 per person after 4 guests - 7 Hour Scallop Trip (7 hours)
  • $650 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip – Scallop & Fishing (8 hours)
  • $650 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip—Shallow Water Grouper (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Reel Time Outfitters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Reel Time Outfitters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Reel Time Outfitters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Lake Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Reel Time Outfitters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Bowfishing
  • Flounder Gigging

Top targeted fish species with Reel Time Outfitters include:
  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Black Drum
  • Cobia
  • Crappie
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Redfish
  • Scallop
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tripletail

About the Captain

Leon Hampton
Crystal River, Florida, United States
42 Fishing Reports
290 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since September 2015
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Captain Leon has fished his entire life and dreamed about the waters being his desk some day. In 2014, in order to pursue his lifelong dream, Captain Leon became a licensed charter captain. He loves showing guests his world of fishing and teaching them new things. Captain Leon is also a passionate hunter.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Largemouth) Largemouth Bass
Black Drum Black Drum
Cobia Cobia
Crappie Crappie

Boat specs

Carolina Skiff (Center console) originally built in 2017. Powered by a 115HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
21 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Bowfishing
Flounder Gigging

Amenities

Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in Crystal River to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

Crystal River Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 15 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (35)
May fishing trip
April fishing trip
April fishing trip
+32
Angler Rating
12
1
0
1
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
89%
Friendly captain
89%
Recommend this charter
87%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
88%
Catch intended fish
67%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 15 reviews
Jason H.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   NEW  May 7, 2023
The charter operator canceled 1 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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Guyton A.
Charleston, SC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) (4 MAX) on December 26, 2022
We had a blast even in the cold. Captain Leo was great with my 11 year old. I would highly recommend this trip.
Guyton A. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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  Leon Hampton Captain replied

Chris A.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

April fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) (4 MAX) on April 1, 2023
Cap. Leon put use on some nice fish! Would differently rebook!
Chris A. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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  Leon Hampton Captain replied

Wilts A.
Deer Island, FL
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day for Father and Son

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip (4 MAX) on October 16, 2022
We finally caught a red first. After that, Captain Leon put us right on the redfish. We caught our limit of 2 in 30 minutes....
Wilts A. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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  Leon Hampton Captain replied

Tammy G.
Dunnellon, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day scalloping

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Scalloping (AM) on July 25, 2022
We had a great time on our 1st scalloping trip!
Tammy G. recommends Reel Time Outfitters
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  Leon Hampton Captain replied