Captain
Frank Viola III

Member since March 2021 Crystal River, United States
Background
Every year Captain Frank's family would take a trip to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. He saw his first Tarpon and all he could think about was one day adventuring the ocean as a professional fisherman. After ten years of playing professional baseball, the captain dove into the fishing industry head first. He started shooting photo and video content for some of the industry leaders in 2016 and continued to create content for companies such as Yeti, Hell's Bay Boatworks, and more. After spending years on the water, he decided to become a full-time captain. Sharing the outdoor experience with others is why he decided to make a career of this job and of course, you and he absolutely will catch fish!
Techniques
Captain Frank prefers to fish any way that will get the job done. Sometimes you'll live bait fish, sometimes you'll use artificial. Spinning, conventional, fly, it all depends on the time of year and the target species. His favorite style of fishing is the one that puts a smile on everyone’s face after a successful day!

Hey, I'm Captain Frank Viola III

Crystal River, United States
Background
Every year Captain Frank's family would take a trip to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. He saw his first Tarpon and all he could think about was one day adventuring the ocean as a professional fisherman. After ten years of playing professional baseball, the captain dove into the fishing industry head first. He started shooting photo and video content for some of the industry leaders in 2016 and continued to create content for companies such as Yeti, Hell's Bay Boatworks, and more. After spending years on the water, he decided to become a full-time captain. Sharing the outdoor experience with others is why he decided to make a career of this job and of course, you and he absolutely will catch fish!
Techniques
Captain Frank prefers to fish any way that will get the job done. Sometimes you'll live bait fish, sometimes you'll use artificial. Spinning, conventional, fly, it all depends on the time of year and the target species. His favorite style of fishing is the one that puts a smile on everyone’s face after a successful day!
Anglers Choice
125
Reviews
12
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
August C.
Captain

My Charter Listings

Turtlehead Charters Crystal River

State licensed
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(103 reviews)
Angler's choice
Crystal River
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400

Turtlehead Charters LKN

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(22 reviews)
Angler's choice
Mooresville
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $300

Fishing Reports

Iโ€™m back! Lets catch some fish Lake Norm
Iโ€™m back! Lets catch some fish Lake Norm
Jun 21, 2026 Mooresville
What an incredible tarpon season itโ€™s been in Florida! From giant jumps and screaming drags to unforgettable memories with clients and friends, itโ€™s been another season Iโ€™ll never forget. Now itโ€™s time to head home. Starting July 6th, my calendar officially reopens for Lake Norman fishing trips, and I couldnโ€™t be more excited to get back on the water with all of you. Summer fishing is one of my favorite times of the year, and the bass and crappie bite should be outstanding. Whether youโ€™re looking to chase trophy crappie, catch numbers of bass, introduce your kids to fishing, or simply spend a relaxing morning or evening on the lake, Iโ€™d love to have you aboard. Thank you to everyone who supported me during tarpon season. Iโ€™m looking forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new anglers, and making more memories on Lake Norman this summer. Letโ€™s catch some fish, share some laughs, and enjoy a wonderful summer together! July 6th canโ€™t get here soon enough. See you on the water!
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Tarpon Season in Crystal River is insane
Tarpon Season in Crystal River is insane
May 21, 2025 Crystal River
The tarpon fishing in Crystal River has been nothing short of phenomenal lately. These silver kings are in full migration mode, and their presence is impossible to miss. Around the recent moon phases, feeding activity has peaked, with fish aggressively striking bait in a frenzy of predatory behavior. Outside of feeding windows, the tarpon can be seen engaging in their classic migration โ€œdance,โ€ rolling and daisy-chaining in pods, a spectacle thatโ€™s become a daily occurrence on the water. Anglers have been treated to some of the best action anywhere in the world. Crystal River has truly lived up to its reputation as the premier tarpon destination, not just for numbers but for size. Massive fish, some of the largest found anywhere are patrolling the flats and channels, and theyโ€™re in a cooperative mood. Happy, rolling fish have been more than willing to eat, and experienced guides have been putting clients on multiple shots each day. Clients have been thrilled with the results, jumping countless tarpon and successfully bringing many to hand after thrilling battles. Whether itโ€™s the electric moment of the eat, the aerial acrobatics that follow, or simply watching pods of giant fish in clear water, this season has delivered unforgettable experiences. If there was ever a time to chase tarpon in Crystal River, itโ€™s now, these are the days anglers dream about. I have some dates remaining the last week of June if tarpon are on your bucket list!
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Itโ€™s Spring Time which means its striper
Itโ€™s Spring Time which means its striper
Mar 20, 2025 Crystal River
As soon as the trees and flowers start blooming, lake norman starts heating up. Both literally and philosophically! As water temps rise, bait balls make there way to the top part of the water column in deeper water neer creeks and fingers where the striped bass, spotted bass and hybrid bass go into an absolute feeding frenzy. Iโ€™ve fished all over the world and have guided for a long time and seen some crazy cool bitesโ€ฆ this is one of my favorites. When it turns on youโ€™re into fish consistently for some time! If you have big hybrid bass and striped bass on your bucket list, the end of March to early April is the time to do it!! Then we are onto bedding bass which is another entire post in itself! We hope to see you soon here at Turtlehead Charters!
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Temps are hot, fishing is not!!
Temps are hot, fishing is not!!
Aug 8, 2024 Crystal River
I have to book thr most patient and kind human beings alive. Everyone has fished hard this last month through 90+ degree temps and through a slow bite, been smiling ans happy nonetheless. When water temps get above 90 fish head for thick cover or go deep. We have been on them in 30+ feet of water chasing bait balls with a little success early in the morning or as the sun is going down. Better casters have been able to grab some big spots and largies out if docks and cover. Mid day weven been targeting fish deep on brush piles too. I feel very blessed and appreciative to be booked this time of year and moreso appreciate everyone working hard with me to catcb thr great fish we have through tough conditions. In better news its almost fall, the dropping temps will bring risking action and much better fishing!!
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Fishing Lake Norman is off the charts!!
Fishing Lake Norman is off the charts!!
Mar 17, 2024 Crystal River
To say Iโ€™ve spent every moment of free time on the water figuring this fishery out is a vast understatement! The transition from full time inshore saltwater guide to freshwater bass fisherman has had its ups and downs. Iโ€™m happy to say that the time on the water has paid off and clients have been extremely happy. It takes a lot of work to stay on these fish and how theyre feeding ad the water temos change, especially when we are throwing artificial only! Learning lake Norman has been a blast! Everyone has been easily limiting out and the bite has been outstanding! This month we are targeting big hybrid bass, striped bass and the spotted/largemouth bass have been large and pletniful! We are catching them suspended, deep, shallow, on ledges, humps, docks, brush piles, rocks you name it! The morning bite has been the best with late afternoon being right behind it! If youโ€™re looking for a great place to fish, letโ€™s get out on lake norman together! Iโ€™m loving every moment of this new chapter, bass fishing has stolen a part of my heart and Iโ€™m excited to be here meeting new people and fishing a new fishery!
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The crappie are chewing!!!
The crappie are chewing!!!
Jan 27, 2024 Crystal River
We were bending rods in big crappie all afternoon. From brush piles and docks to bridges, they were hungry and showing it! They did not deny us very often. This may be my favorite fish to target during the winter time! Non stop action and lots of fun to fight on ultra light gear! Shoot me a message if youโ€™re looking for some amazing fishing this time of year!!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 125 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (169)
First time Tarpon fishing, landed 70-80lber
First time Tarpon fishing, landed 70-80lber
First time Tarpon fishing, landed 70-80lber
+166
Angler rating
118
5
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
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Showing:
5 of 125 reviews
Charles Z.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Sons birthday

VERIFIED   2 Hour Quick Adventure Trip (11 AM) on March 27, 2026
My son had a blast. The lake was nice. Fish were plentiful. My son caught a bunch. Captain Frank was a great guide. Fish variety...
Charles Z. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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Eric S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First time Tarpon fishing, landed 70-80lber

VERIFIED   NEW  Tarpon Trip on June 5, 2026
This trip was all about getting my 16 year old son his first Tarpon. 2-3 hours in we had hooked 3 and he brought a 70-80lber...
Eric S. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Eric S. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Bob C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Grandsonโ€™s Birthday

VERIFIED   Half Day Adventure Trip on March 26, 2026
We had the best trip yesterday on Lake Norman with Captain Frank. We (mostly our 12 yo grandson) caught crappie, perch, stripers,...
Bob C. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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Bob C. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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Anthony B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

My son had the best birthday!!!

VERIFIED   2 Hour Quick Adventure Trip (11 AM) on March 22, 2026
Thank you Captain Frank!! becasue of you my son will have the most memorable birthday ever. That 30lbs aligator gar is something...
Anthony B. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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Ryan L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

5 stars all the way

VERIFIED   Half Day Adventure Trip on November 27, 2025
Captain Frank is a great guy and guide! He took time away from his family on Thansgiving morning to take my son and I out....
Ryan L. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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Ryan L. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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