Welcome to your fishing trip of a lifetime!!
Welcome to Crystal River, Florida, and the fishing trip of a lifetime! Captain Frank Viola and Turtlehead Charters are thrilled to have you here. We’re truly grateful for every new friend we make and honored that you’ve chosen to trust us with your vacation and fishing adventure.
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Your experience means everything to us, and we’re committed to making every day on the water unforgettable. From the moment you step aboard, our goal is to provide exceptional service, expert guidance, and lasting memories.
Welcome to Turtlehead Charters—let’s make this an incredible trip!
CAPTAINS FRANK VIOLA & AUGUST COOK
Captain Frank Viola
Captain Frank Viola is one of the world’s premier tarpon fishing guides, renowned for his expertise and passion for the sport. Growing up in Orlando, he spent his early years bass fishing local waters and chasing saltwater species in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons. However, it was a family vacation to the Florida Keys that sparked his obsession with tarpon, setting him on a lifelong path toward mastering the species.
While his father, Frank Viola, is a Hall of Fame baseball player, Captain Frank’s dream was never to play baseball, it was to become a world-renowned tarpon fisherman. He made that dream a reality, starting his guiding career in Clearwater, Florida, before bringing his knowledge and skills to Crystal River, where he now resides with his family.
After a brief stint in North Carolina as a professional bass fisherman, Captain Frank returned to Florida to do what he loves most, guiding anglers in pursuit of redfish, snook, trout, and, of course, tarpon. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-time fisherman, he’s ready to share his passion and expertise, ensuring an unforgettable day on the water.
Captain August Cook
August has been fishing for as long as he’s been able to walk. Over a decade ago, he moved to Homosassa and has since dedicated himself to learning the area with unmatched attention and humility. Known for his meticulous eye for detail and constant pursuit of growth, August treats every day on the water as an opportunity to learn something new.
What began as a passion naturally evolved into a career, though it’s never felt like work. He wakes up each day excited for the adventure ahead, driven by a deep love for sharing the water and his knowledge with others.
When August picked up a fly rod, everything changed. He fully immersed himself in mastering the craft, whether it’s stalking redfish and snook in shallow water or guiding clients to giant tarpon cruising the pristine flats of Chassahowitzka, Homosassa and Crystal River, his favorite pursuit. He thrives on sharing the skiff with like-minded individuals and strives to offer each client the best possible shot at a lifelong memory.
Today, August is proud to be a partnered with Turtlehead Charters where he continues to lead with passion and expertise. He has earned a reputation as a renowned fly and artificial fishing guide, known for delivering unforgettable experiences on the water to anglers from all over the globe.
The Hell's Bay Experience
Hell’s Bay is the first choice of some of the greatest guides on earth, and the legendary anglers at the very top of the sport. Every Hell’s Bay skiff is designed to be the perfect tool for those obsessed in their pursuit of the most elusive fish in the most inaccessible places. Unprecedented, innovative design, yacht-level build quality and space-age materials result in stealthy, shallow performance combined with open-water capabilities and comfort. These are the elements that come together in every Hell’s Bay, and we will never stop searching in our quest to continue dreaming, innovating and building the world’s finest shallow water skiffs.
