If you’re ready to love fishing in Port Canaveral, we’ve got you covered with Close Encounters Fishing Charters. With Captain Xavier at the helm, you’ll benefit from years of knowledge and experience.

Depending on conditions, you might hook into Cobia, Sheepshead, Tarpon, Jack Crevalle, Tripletail, Mangrove Snapper, Black Drum, Redfish, Blacktip Shark, King Mackerel (Kingfish), Snook, Bull Shark, and whatever else is biting. You’ll target your catch by spinning, trolling, jigging, or maybe something more specialized in this area.

Trips with Close Encounters Fishing Charters are child-friendly, so go ahead and bring the whole family along! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise you should bring your own. Feel free to bring your own snacks!

You’ll be welcome aboard a 22’ Pathfinder bay boat that holds up to 4 passengers. It has downriggers, all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. You’ll find rods, reels, and tackle waiting for you, as well as lures. Live bait is included, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you’ll be catching it yourself.

Your fishing license for the day is covered by the charter boat, so all you have to do is look forward to your trip! Some fish have special regulations, including when you can keep them. Simply ask and your captain can tell you more.

Don’t leave home without sunglasses, a hat, sunblock (non-spray), and bottled water. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

How often would you rather be fishing? Go on and turn that day dream into a reality, with Close Encounters Fishing Charters.



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore AM
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
    Price for 2 persons
    US $625
    An endless list of fish call cocoa beach home and throughout the year, different species come and go! Enjoy a half day trip targeting fish running close to shore like Snapper, Black Drum, Redfish, Snook, Tripletail, Tarpon, Mackerel, Sharks and more!
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore PM
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    Price for 2 persons
    US $625
    An endless list of fish call cocoa beach home and throughout the year, different species come and go! Enjoy a half day trip targeting fish running close to shore like Snapper, Black Drum, Redfish, Snook, Tripletail, Tarpon, Mackerel, Sharks and more!
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    7 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore AM
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
    Price for 2 persons
    US $700
    An endless list of fish call cocoa beach home and throughout the year, different species come and go! Enjoy a half day trip targeting fish running close to shore like Snapper, Black Drum, Redfish, Snook, Tripletail, Tarpon, Mackerel, Sharks and more!
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    7 Hour Trip – Tarpon/Snook Beach AM
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:45 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Oct 1
    Price for 2 persons
    US $750
    An endless list of fish call cocoa beach home and throughout the year, different species come and go! Enjoy a half day trip targeting fish running close to shore like Snapper, Black Drum, Redfish, Snook, Tripletail, Tarpon, Mackerel, Sharks and more!
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 1 review
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
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Angler rating
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100%
Caught fish
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Brenton K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Xavier

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore AM on July 18, 2024
Brenton K. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters
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Brenton K. recommends Close Encounters Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

FAQs about 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 - 5 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore AM (5 hours)
  • US $625 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore PM (5 hours)
  • US $700 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 7 Hour Trip – Inshore/Nearshore AM (7 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $99 per person after 2 guests - 7 Hour Trip – Tarpon/Snook Beach AM (7 hours)

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

Trips booked with Close Encounters Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License

Close Encounters Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Close Encounters Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging

Top targeted fish species with Close Encounters Fishing Charters include:
  • Black Drum
  • Cobia
  • Jack Crevalle
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Bull)
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Tarpon
  • Tripletail

Your captain

Xavier Groenendyk
Port Canaveral, Florida, United States
58 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
113 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2015
Captian 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
Cobia Cobia
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle
King Mackerel (Kingfish) King Mackerel (Kingfish)

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 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
50 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

What’s included in the trip price

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

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 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.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
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 Port Canaveral right now

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