Freshwater Fishing Orlando 

4.9/5 (23 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Marina Point 1247, Casselberry, FL 32707, United States
 
State licensed
4.9/5 (23 reviews)
 angler's choice
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Marina Point 1247
Casselberry, FL, United States
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Always wanted to chase florida crappie or largemouth bass? Close Encounters Fishing Charters offers a unique experience for both advanced and novice anglers alike to explore Orlando's many gamefish filled lakes and creeks by casting off on a one-to-one personalized angling adventure!

Captain Xavier Groenendyk will be your fishing teacher. He's the perfect person to show you around these waters, and will have you fishing them like a pro!

On this special trip, Capt. Xavier will use his years of experience and knowledge to help you learn and hone many different techniques that can be utilized to catch fish.

This private trip is the perfect option for new anglers who want to learn the ropes, as well as more experienced fishermen who want to pick up some specialized freshwater fishing skills and techniques.

You'll be casting your line from a 22 ft high-performance (tournament edition) pathfinder bay boat, with plenty of room for you and your captain. This vessel was designed with the ability to cross large lakes in comfort, yet still get into the tightest and shallowest creeks, as well as hard to reach bayous.

Your vessel is decked out with top-quality navigational and safety equipment, as well as a wireless trolling motor, which will come in handy when you're cruising shallow waters for that trophy fish! There's also plenty of room for top-quality fishing equipment, including a variety of lures and baits which are all included in your trip.

You'll experience the perfect combination of hands-on action and one-on-one advice on this trip. Treat yourself or your favorite fishing fanatic to a truly one-off angling adventure aboard Close Encounters Fishing Charters!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 23 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (43)

Our trip kicked Bass!!
Our trip kicked Bass!!
Our trip kicked Bass!!
+40

Angler rating

22
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

91%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

91%

Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews
Showing: 5 of 23 reviews
Daniel L.
Daniel L.
5.0/5

Mar 22, 2025

3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing

Fun and adventurous time for our family if 5

VERIFIED

Xavier was tour/fishing guide. He is down-to-earth, answered a ton of questions my kids were asking, very knowledgeable and kind. We had a blast catching crappie, bass and a few needle fish that seemed to get away. We were able to see a few gators that were chilling. He cleaned and fileted the fish for us which we just had for lunch. I highly recommend using his as your fish guide.

Xavier was tour/fishing guide. He is down-to-earth, answered a ton of questions my kids were asking, very knowledgeable and kind....  

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 Daniel L. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
 Daniel L. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando

Matthew M.
Matthew M.
5.0/5

Feb 17, 2025

3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing

Awesome Experience

VERIFIED

Capt. Xavier was great to fish with. Great communication throughout. He knows where the fish are and had great techniques to share. What really put it above the top was he asked if I had ever bowed fish, which I haven't. He was kind enough to take me out and give me a rundown on how to do it and let me shoot at some Tilapia! Definitely one of the best fish charters I've ever been with and would love to go again next time I'm in town!

Capt. Xavier was great to fish with. Great communication throughout. He knows where the fish are and had great techniques to share....  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Matthew M. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
 Matthew M. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando

Jef F.
Jef F.
5.0/5

Jun 5, 2025

4 Hour AM – freshwater fishing

Our trip kicked Bass!!

VERIFIED

We had a great time with Captain Xavier! He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He put us right on top of the fish and had us reeling in some big bass in no time! If you are looking for a family friendly experience this is a definite must! Thanks for a great time Capt. Xavier!!

We had a great time with Captain Xavier! He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He put us right on top of the fish and had us...  

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Captain replied
 Jef F. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
 Jef F. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on June 7, 2025
Thanks Jef, really enjoyed fishing with you and your family, nice work slaying the bass on artificial!

Corey C.
Corey C.
5.0/5

Mar 18, 2025

3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing

Crappie smack down!!

VERIFIED

Xavier was an awesome guide! Great experience for some Minnesota boys catching some Central Florida crappies. Awesome time and would highly recommend his services as he is knowledgeable, kind, and professional. It was like I was fishing with one of my buddies. Thanks again Xavier!

Xavier was an awesome guide! Great experience for some Minnesota boys catching some Central Florida crappies. Awesome time and...  

Review media 0
Review media 0
 Corey C. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
 Corey C. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando

Douglas S.
Douglas S.
5.0/5

Dec 23, 2024

3 Hour PM – Crappie/Speck Fishing

Great trip with Capt Xavier

VERIFIED

On Dec 23 2024 I went fishing with my 2 grandkids, ages 7 and 5. In Lake Howell I Orlando. Capt Xavier was great with the kids. They really liked him and had a great t time. We were cork fishing for Crappie. Action was steady, sometimes 10 minutes between bites, sometime faster. Xavier really knows his stuff. Highly recommend him.

On Dec 23 2024 I went fishing with my 2 grandkids, ages 7 and 5. In Lake Howell I Orlando. Capt Xavier was great with the kids....  

Captain replied
 Douglas S. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
 Douglas S. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on December 25, 2024
Thanks Douglas, had a great time with you and your family!
Review media 0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
3 Hour Bowfishing (AM)
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 8:30 AM
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US $498 
Shared tour: for 2 people
3 Hour PM – Crappie/Speck Fishing
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 2:30 PM
Seasonal trip Oct 15 - Mar 1
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US $325 
Entire boat: up to 5 people
3 Hour AM – freshwater fishing
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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US $375 
Entire boat: up to 5 people
3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip Oct 15 - Apr 1
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US $400 
Entire boat: up to 5 people
4 Hour AM – freshwater fishing
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
Seasonal trip Oct 15 - May 1
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US $425 
Entire boat: up to 5 people
4 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip Oct 15 - Mar 1
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US $500 
Entire boat: up to 5 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 23 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (43)

Our trip kicked Bass!!
Our trip kicked Bass!!
Our trip kicked Bass!!
+40

Angler rating

22
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

91%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

91%

Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews
Showing: 5 of 23 reviews
Daniel L.
Daniel L.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fun and adventurous time for our family if 5

VERIFIED

3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing on March 22, 2025

Xavier was tour/fishing guide. He is down-to-earth, answered a ton of questions my kids were asking, very knowledgeable and kind. We had a blast catching crappie, bass and a few needle fish that seemed to get away. We were able to see a few gators that were chilling. He cleaned and fileted the fish for us which we just had for lunch. I highly recommend using his as your fish guide.

Xavier was tour/fishing guide. He is down-to-earth, answered a ton of questions my kids were asking, very knowledgeable and kind. We had a blast catching crappie, bass and a few needle fish that seemed to get away. We were able to see a few gators that were chilling. He cleaned and fileted the fish for us which we just had for lunch. I highly recommend using his as your fish guide.  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
 Daniel L. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando

Matthew M.
Matthew M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Awesome Experience

VERIFIED

3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing on February 17, 2025

Capt. Xavier was great to fish with. Great communication throughout. He knows where the fish are and had great techniques to share. What really put it above the top was he asked if I had ever bowed fish, which I haven't. He was kind enough to take me out and give me a rundown on how to do it and let me shoot at some Tilapia! Definitely one of the best fish charters I've ever been with and would love to go again next time I'm in town!

Capt. Xavier was great to fish with. Great communication throughout. He knows where the fish are and had great techniques to share. What really put it above the top was he asked if I had ever bowed fish, which I haven't. He was kind enough to take me out and give me a rundown on how to do it and let me shoot at some Tilapia! Definitely one of the best fish charters I've ever been with and would love to go again next time I'm in town!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
 Matthew M. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando

Jef F.
Jef F.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Our trip kicked Bass!!

VERIFIED

4 Hour AM – freshwater fishing on June 5, 2025

We had a great time with Captain Xavier! He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He put us right on top of the fish and had us reeling in some big bass in no time! If you are looking for a family friendly experience this is a definite must! Thanks for a great time Capt. Xavier!!

We had a great time with Captain Xavier! He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He put us right on top of the fish and had us reeling in some big bass in no time! If you are looking for a family friendly experience this is a definite must! Thanks for a great time Capt. Xavier!!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
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Review media 5
 Jef F. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on June 7, 2025
Thanks Jef, really enjoyed fishing with you and your family, nice work slaying the bass on artificial!

Corey C.
Corey C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Crappie smack down!!

VERIFIED

3 Hour AM – Crappie/Speck Fishing on March 18, 2025

Xavier was an awesome guide! Great experience for some Minnesota boys catching some Central Florida crappies. Awesome time and would highly recommend his services as he is knowledgeable, kind, and professional. It was like I was fishing with one of my buddies. Thanks again Xavier!

Xavier was an awesome guide! Great experience for some Minnesota boys catching some Central Florida crappies. Awesome time and would highly recommend his services as he is knowledgeable, kind, and professional. It was like I was fishing with one of my buddies. Thanks again Xavier!  

Review media 0
Review media 0
 Corey C. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando

Douglas S.
Douglas S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great trip with Capt Xavier

VERIFIED

3 Hour PM – Crappie/Speck Fishing on December 23, 2024

On Dec 23 2024 I went fishing with my 2 grandkids, ages 7 and 5. In Lake Howell I Orlando. Capt Xavier was great with the kids. They really liked him and had a great t time. We were cork fishing for Crappie. Action was steady, sometimes 10 minutes between bites, sometime faster. Xavier really knows his stuff. Highly recommend him.

On Dec 23 2024 I went fishing with my 2 grandkids, ages 7 and 5. In Lake Howell I Orlando. Capt Xavier was great with the kids. They really liked him and had a great t time. We were cork fishing for Crappie. Action was steady, sometimes 10 minutes between bites, sometime faster. Xavier really knows his stuff. Highly recommend him.  

 Douglas S. recommends Freshwater Fishing Orlando
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on December 25, 2024
Thanks Douglas, had a great time with you and your family!
Review media 0

FAQs about Freshwater Fishing Orlando

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

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

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
60 knots
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What’s biting in Casselberry right now

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