Basically that is sound advise.

Take one of your screws and visit a good hardware store. Purchase a 2-stage countersink bit. This drill will have a smaller pilot bit (which will go through the decking and into the joist) followed by a larger diameter shank (sized for your screw) followed by a counter-sink all as one drill bit. Not an expensive tool and a real time saver. Just have a 2nd drill to set the screws so you're not constantly re-chucking.

Good luck.

There is no reason to install a pilot hole when puting down cedar. J.

Why would you even pre drill the joist

As John said, you don't have to predrill cedar.
That said, when I work with cedar, and don't intend to plug the hole, I like to use a 3/8" countersink, and just dimple the surface of the cedar. That allows the scre whead an easy entrance, and it protects the cedar from breaking or splitting around the screw head...which happens.
It's also good practice to predrill any piece of wood that you are going to screw into another piece of wood. If the pilot hole is larger than the diameter of the screw, the top board will be pulled down tight by the screw head, without interference of the threads.
It's unnecessary, if you use a screw like the mcfeelys NoCoRode decking screws. The 2 3/8" screws have a 1"+ smooth shaft, so the threads don't get in the way.

Whatever you decide to do, don't predrill the joist.

steve

Here is a link that might be useful: NoCoRode deck screws