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

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(93 reviews)
Angler's choice
Crystal River
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $550

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
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 93 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (119)
Lake Norman, NC fishing expedition success!
Great trip
Great trip
+116
Angler rating
90
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
93%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
96%
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5 of 93 reviews
Adam D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Lake Normanโ€™s Finest Charter Company

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on March 12, 2025
Booked a four hour bass fishing charter with Captain Frank as a Christmas gift for my son and he did not disappoint. From start...
Adam D. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Frank Viola III Captain replied

Emily B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Lake Norman, NC fishing expedition success!

VERIFIED   NEW  Two Hour Fishing Trip!! (8 AM) on May 17, 2025
We couldnโ€™t have had a better experience. Captain Spencer worked with our limited schedule and did a great job steering our...
Emily B. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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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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Doug D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

My birthday gift to myself

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on March 29, 2025
I booked this trip as a birthday gift to myself. Captain Frank was out of town but put me and my son with Captain Spencer....
Doug D. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Adriana P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

So much fun!

VERIFIED   Two Hour Fishing Trip!! (11 AM) on November 2, 2024
We had an amazing time on our recent fishing trip! From start to finish, it was an unforgettable experience. The captain was...
Adriana P. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Adriana P. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful