Ozello Community Park Fishing

Ozello Community Park is a small county park at the far end of the Ozello Trail, where tidal creeks and mangrove islands of the St. Martins Marsh begin. Anglers fish the shoreline for redfish, trout and snook, in one of the Nature Coast's most scenic backwaters.

• A quiet end-of-the-road park on tidal marsh
• Redfish, seatrout and snook on the moving tide
• A boat ramp and picnic area overlooking the water
• Little crowding outside weekends and holidays

The park is at 410 N Pirate Point in Ozello, west of Crystal River, and Citrus County runs it. From US 19 take the Ozello Trail to its end, then follow the signs to Pirate Point.

• The drive is about ten miles of curves; allow extra time
• Parking is in the lot beside the ramp; the ramp is listed as free, but check the signs
• Hours were not confirmed, so check the posted signs
• The shore is a short walk from the lot, and the footing is mixed grass, shell and mud
• Cell coverage can be thin

The marsh holds fish through the year, and the tide matters more than the date.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish on the grass edges; snook start to appear as the water warms
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and ladyfish at dawn and dusk, with jacks and mangrove snapper in the creeks
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish at their best along the oyster bars; seatrout and mullet schools
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum around hard edges; redfish and seatrout in the deeper holes

Light spinning gear is right for the shallow creeks: a 7-foot rod, 10 to 15 lb braid and a 20 lb leader.

• Redfish: cut mullet or live shrimp on the bottom, or a gold spoon through the shallows
• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft-plastic jig over the grass
• Snook: live pilchards or shrimp, or a swimbait, along the mangrove edges at first or last light
• Sheepshead and black drum: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a 1/0 hook, close to oysters
• Wading is possible only where the bottom is firm; mud is deeper than it looks

Ozello is on the Nature Coast, so the tide is two uneven highs and lows on most days. Water moves through the marsh creeks fast.

• Fish the last of the incoming tide and the first of the falling tide
• Low water exposes oyster bars and mud, which shortens the fishable shore
• Clear, calm days make fish easier to spot but harder to fool
• Strong east winds in winter can blow the water out of the marsh, leaving it shallow

This is a remote spot, and the road is narrow.

• The trail has sharp curves; drive slowly, especially at dusk
• Leave the water at the first thunder
• Bring bug spray; mosquitoes and no-see-ums are heavy in the warm months
• Do not wade into soft mud; it can trap a boot
• Access: a short walk over grass and shell with no boardwalk or railing

Facilities are basic.

• A boat ramp and picnic area overlooking the water
• A seafood restaurant a short way along the trail
• No bait shop in the park; bring bait or buy it in Crystal River
• Restrooms were not confirmed; plan without them

• Buy bait before you drive out, since nothing is sold at the park
• Arrive early on weekends, when boaters fill the ramp lot
• Cast to the oyster edges and the mangrove points on a falling tide
• Stay clear of the ramp and the kayak landing beaches, which launchers need
• Fill your fuel tank in Crystal River; there are no services for miles
• Take out what you bring; this is a quiet community park

Ozello Community Park is a Citrus County park. Fishing is not confirmed there by the managing body, so read the signs posted at the park before you fish.

• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook, redfish and tarpon have their own rules; check FWC before keeping or handling them
• Check the posted park hours and rules at the lot
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything