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
5.0 / 5
(99 reviews)
Angler's choice
Crystal River
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(12 reviews)
Angler's choice
Mooresville
 Last booking: 43 minutes 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
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 111 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (161)
Great trip
Great trip
Great trip
+158
Angler rating
106
4
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
96%
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5 of 111 reviews
Ralph T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Started โ€œcoldโ€ literally.

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on April 5, 2024
We had a good day on the water. Catching fish is always funโ€ฆbut the lessons learned can be equally good. Understanding how...
Ralph T. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Harold S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

The Best!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on February 17, 2024
Captain Frank was incredible from the minute I booked this surprise fishing trip for my man! Personable, prompt (in his responses),...
Harold S. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Carrie P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic with kids, highly recommend!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on September 20, 2024
My 6 year old son and I had an absolute blast with Captain Frank! We caught a ton of fish (ripped some glips as my kid says),...
Carrie P. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Carrie P. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Brooke B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Such an Amazing day

VERIFIED   Two Hour Fishing Trip!! (11 AM) on March 2, 2024
Where do I begin. . . I decided to book this trip for my gf as a surprise and it was everything and more than either of us...
Brooke B. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Michael R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Book your trip with Frank

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 31, 2024
We were on the fence if we needed a guide or if we could do it on our own. We went from catching zero bass on our own to catching...
Michael R. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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Michael R. recommends Turtlehead Charters Crystal River
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