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
Verified
Our Team
August C.
Captain

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(101 reviews)
Angler's choice
Crystal River
 2 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(19 reviews)
Angler's choice
Mooresville
 Last booking: 10 hours ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $300

Fishing Reports

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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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 120 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (165)
sons birthday
My son had the best birthday!!!
My son had the best birthday!!!
+162
Angler rating
113
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 120 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   NEW  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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Charles Z. recommends Turtlehead Charters LKN
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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   NEW  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   NEW  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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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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Charles D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Make memories with Captain Frank

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip!! on April 11, 2025
When you go fishing, you really want to create a memory.ย  Captain Frank gives you a day you will never forget.ย  His warm...
Charles D. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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  Frank Viola III Captain replied