Crystal River
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $400
Captain
Frank Viola III
Crystal River, United States
100+ reviews
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!
August C.
Captain
Spencer T.
Captain
Charters
- MooresvilleInstant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $300
Rating
4.9
138 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (198)
What anglers say
97%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
All reviews (138)
ShowingΒ 1 β 5Β ofΒ 138Β reviews
Emily PhillipsRepeat angler5.0VerifiedNEWAwesome kid friendly trip
Half Day Adventure Trip - 1:00 PM β’ 2 adults β’ 1 childMy son and I had a ton of fun. My son usually takes a while to warm up to new people, but was happy to jump right in today. Spencer was really encouraging, friendly, made sure my son stayed engaged, and took us to a lot of differet spots chasing fish. Weβll definitely book anothet trip soon.
Reported catch:
Michael CaudillRepeat angler5.0VerifiedAwesome spotted bass fishing Lake Norman
Half Day Adventure Trip β’ 3 adultsCapt Frank had boat issues so he hooked us up with Larson who is part owner of Fishing Lake Norman. He is young but did a great job being a guide. My grandson and his friend caught 35 fish total with most spotted bass a white bass and small blue gill. Both boys had a great time and I would recommend Larson for trips. Both boys loved the trip and want to do something next year when they visit.
Response from CaptainMichael, thank you so much for this review!! they are a great partner and im glad we work together closely! i hooe i get the opportunity to take you myself next year butnit sounds like i was right, larson is better at fishing but im still way more fun to hang out with! π- thank you agaij fie thenkind review, its always a relief to het a great review like this!
Charles Zerega5.0Verifiedsons birthday
2 Hour Quick Adventure Trip (11 AM) β’ 3 adults β’ 1 childMy son had a blast. The lake was nice. Fish were plentiful. My son caught a bunch. Captain Frank was a great guide. Fish variety was a highlight. Very knowledgeable and fun for my 12 year old. Also great fie adults and children. Book this if youβre in or near Charlotte. Great day on the lake. Would book again. Close enough to the main city. ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»
Reported catch:
Tiffany Edwards5.0VerifiedNEWFirst fishing experience was a blast!
2 Hour Quick Adventure Trip (11 AM) β’ 2 adultsCaptain Spencer was very informative I liked that he contacted me before the trip to give details and answer any last minute questions.
Response from Captainthank you so much for this review Tiffany! Spencer had a wonderful tine with yβall! we hope to see you again!
Dave Panak5.0VerifiedNEWSeptember fishing trip
Half Day Adventure Trip β’ 3 adultshad a great time. very knowledgeable on lake norman. would book again. a plus we cought some fish. thanks Spenser
Reported catch:
Response from Captainthank you for your kind review Dave! You are awesome and taking the time to leave a review like this means a lot! Hope to see you again!!
Real catches shared by our community
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters Crystal RiverCrystal River, FL
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
- Turtlehead Charters LKNMooresville, NC
Our Fishing Locations
What's biting with Turtlehead Charters Crystal River in Crystal River
Hit the waters for delicious Black Seabass, Gag, and Red Grouper. Other backcountry residents include Redfish, Sheepshead, and Spotted Seatrout.
Top catches for October
Fishing reports
Iβm back! Lets catch some fish Lake Norm
Jun 21, 2026Β β’Β Mooresville
What an incredible tarpon season itβs been in Florida! From giant jumps and screaming drags to unforgettable memories with clients and friends, itβs been another season Iβll never forget.
Now itβs time to head home.
Starting July 6th, my calendar officially reopens for Lake Norman fishing trips, and I couldnβt 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 youβre 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, Iβd love to have you aboard.
Thank you to everyone who supported me during tarpon season. Iβm looking forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new anglers, and making more memories on Lake Norman this summer.
Letβs catch some fish, share some laughs, and enjoy a wonderful summer together!
July 6th canβt get here soon enough. See you on the water!
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Tarpon Season in Crystal River is insane
May 21, 2025Β β’Β 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 βdance,β rolling and daisy-chaining in pods, a spectacle thatβs 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 theyβre 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 itβs 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, itβs 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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Itβs Spring Time which means its striper
Mar 20, 2025Β β’Β 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. Iβve fished all over the world and have guided for a long time and seen some crazy cool bitesβ¦ this is one of my favorites. When it turns on youβre 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!!
Aug 8, 2024Β β’Β 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!!
Mar 17, 2024Β β’Β Crystal River
To say Iβve 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. Iβm 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 youβre looking for a great place to fish, letβs get out on lake norman together! Iβm loving every moment of this new chapter, bass fishing has stolen a part of my heart and Iβm excited to be here meeting new people and fishing a new fishery!
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The crappie are chewing!!!
Jan 27, 2024Β β’Β 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 youβre looking for some amazing fishing this time of year!!
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