Close Encounters Fishing Charters 

5.0/5 (44 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Marina Road 501, Titusville, FL 32796, United States
You may qualify for a Loyalty Program discount with Close Encounters Fishing Charters. To check if you can use a Loyalty Program discount for your selected dates, please sign in.

Close Encounters Fishing Charters really has it all: lake, lagoon, river, and nearshore fishing – all with the same boat! Primarily operating out of space coast area, Captain Xavier Groenendyk is in a prime location to offer you the best of all worlds.

The pathfinder bay boat on which you’ll be travelling comes equipped with a fishfinder and is powered by a 250 HP Yamaha engine, making sure that you can get to the hottest fishing spots as soon as possible. When fishing in skinny waters, the wireless trolling system will help you drift along quietly, allowing you to spot your prey before they scare.

Rods, reels, and tackle are provided for all types of fishing and Capt. Xavier will teach you all he knows You name it, it’s possible! Depending on the trip, live or artificial bait may be used! You’ll get to target a range of species from Redfish, snook, or Spotted Seatrout, to the pelagic Tarpon and King Mackerel, and even sharks.

Xavier Groenendyk

Captain

Xavier Groenendyk

13 years of experience
 ID & credentials verified
 responds within an hour

Most popular features:

 Fishing License
 Live Bait
 You Keep Catch
 Catch cleaning & filleting
 Drinks
 Child Friendly
 Ice Box
 Rods, reels & tackle

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
5hr – Inshore Fishing (AM)
Low rate deposit non-refundable
5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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+5
US $625 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
5hr – Inshore Fishing (PM)
Low rate deposit non-refundable
5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
Seasonal trip Nov 1 - Apr 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
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fish
fish
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+5
US $625 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
7 hr – Inshore Fishing (AM)
Low rate deposit non-refundable
7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
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fish
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+5
US $700 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
7hr – Inshore Fishing (PM)
Low rate deposit non-refundable
7 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
Seasonal trip Nov 1 - Apr 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
US $700 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

5.0/5
out of 5 stars from 44 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
5.0/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (96)

AWESOME DAY ON THE WATER
AWESOME DAY ON THE WATER
Awesome Time
+93

Angler rating

41
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

97%

Appropriate for children

95%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

95%

Caught fish

95%

Showing 1 - 5 of 44 reviews
Justin S.
Justin S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

AWESOME DAY ON THE WATER

VERIFIED

7 hr – Inshore Fishing (AM) on February 11, 2025

I had a great time fishing with Close Encounters charter. Xavier really new what he was doing and put me on the fish everytime. Ended up catching three new species of fish to add to my list. The gear and bait provided landed nothing but lunkers all day. I can't wait to get back and fish anouther round with Close Encounters again.

I had a great time fishing with Close Encounters charter. Xavier really new what he was doing and put me on the fish everytime. Ended up catching three new species of fish to add to my list. The gear and bait provided landed nothing but lunkers all day. I can't wait to get back and fish anouther round with Close Encounters again.  

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 Justin S. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters

John W.
John W.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Rippin Lips

VERIFIED
NEW

5hr – Inshore Fishing (AM) on July 28, 2025

Xavier put us on Tarpon and snook, our bucket list fish. Unbelievable experience!!!!

Xavier put us on Tarpon and snook, our bucket list fish. Unbelievable experience!!!!  

 John W. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters

Resley P.
Resley P.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great trip and Great Captain

VERIFIED

7 hr – Inshore Fishing (AM) on October 14, 2024

Xavier was excellent. I would recommend this captain to anyone. He makes sure you are his first priority. Excellent with adults and teens. We caught so many fish. First class trip.

Xavier was excellent. I would recommend this captain to anyone. He makes sure you are his first priority. Excellent with adults and teens. We caught so many fish. First class trip.  

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 Resley P. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters

Victor M.
Victor M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Awesome Time

VERIFIED

7 hr – Inshore Fishing (AM) on October 26, 2024

Captain put us on the redfish immediately. We went 9 for 10.

Captain put us on the redfish immediately. We went 9 for 10.  

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Review media 0
 Victor M. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters

Noah C.
Noah C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fishing with Xavier

VERIFIED

5hr – Inshore Fishing (PM) on September 3, 2023

 

 Noah C. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters
Xavier Groenendyk
Xavier Groenendyk (The Captain)

...

FAQs about Close Encounters Fishing Charters

What are the trip rates for Close Encounters Fishing Charters?

Close Encounters Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $625 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 5hr – Inshore Fishing (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $625 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 5hr – Inshore Fishing (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $700 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 7 hr – Inshore Fishing (AM) (7 hours)
  • US $700 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 7hr – Inshore Fishing (PM) (7 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Close Encounters Fishing Charters?

When you book a trip with Close Encounters Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
  • Radar
What's included in the trip price with Close Encounters Fishing Charters?

Trips booked with Close Encounters Fishing Charters include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Upon agreement)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Water and ice are provided)
  • Fishing License
What types of fishing does Close Encounters Fishing Charters offer?

Close Encounters Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:

  • River Fishing
  • Lake Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Close Encounters Fishing Charters offer?

Close Encounters Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
Which fish species can I catch with Close Encounters Fishing Charters?

Top targeted fish species with Close Encounters Fishing Charters include:

  • Black Drum
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Bull)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Xavier Groenendyk

Titusville, Florida, United States

65 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
132 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 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 Xavier was raised in New Smyrna Beach and Orlando, Florida; growing up with the world famous Mosquito Lagoon in his backyard, and world-class Bass fishing in the lakes and rivers. He capitalized on the extremely diverse fishery just minutes from home. The captain spent all his free time learning the local waters, recording everything into fishing logs, studying the tides, temperatures, and the movements of sought-after game fish. He realized that in order to consistently catch big fish, it is important to understand the science of the fish and the waters, as well as being well versed in various fishing techniques. Becoming a certified scuba diver at the age of 14, Xavier has spent many hours observing fish from underwater to gauge their reaction to baits, chum, and artificial lures. He loves to share his experience with his guests!

The fish you can target

Black Drum
Black Drum
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Redfish
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
Bull Shark
Bull Shark
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Snook
Snook
Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
Tarpon
Tarpon

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
22 ft
Year built
2020
Boat manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
60 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing

Lake Fishing

Inshore Fishing

Nearshore Fishing

Reef Fishing

Wreck Fishing

Flats Fishing

Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle

Heavy Tackle

Bottom Fishing

Spinning

Jigging

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS

Fishfinder

Live Bait Well

Wireless Trolling Motor

Ice Box

Radar

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle

Live Bait

Upon agreement

Lures

Catch cleaning & filleting

Drinks

Water and ice are provided

Fishing License

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child Friendly

No minimum age, life jackets provided

You Keep Catch

Catch and Release Allowed

How you can pay

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

 American Express

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Titusville right now

RedfishRedfish
Shark (Blacktip)Shark (Blacktip)
Snapper (Mangrove)Snapper (Mangrove)
SnookSnook
Spotted SeatroutSpotted Seatrout
TarponTarpon
2 people are looking at this charter.