Veteran-owned fishing charters in Crystal River, FL. Inshore, nearshore, and scalloping — every trip built around your group.
Four ways to fish Crystal River — from a quick 4-hour run to a full-day Nature Coast adventure, plus summer scalloping in some of the best grounds on the Gulf.
Richard's been fishing since he was five. Twenty years in the U.S. Army took him to waters all over the world; retirement in 2022 brought him back to the Gulf Coast. He started Tops Charters to share the waters of Crystal River — calm, full of fish, perfect for families and first-timers.
Read the full story"Captain was very informative about the area and explained exactly how and where we'd be fishing. He stayed on top of everything — bait, rods, and making sure we were always set up. Had a great time on the water." — Todd J., June 2025
Show up with a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. We handle the rest.
20 years of U.S. Army service, CPR & First Aid certified, fully licensed and insured. The boat is immaculate and the day runs on time.
"Great with kids," "Great with families," "Patient for any skill level" — phrases that show up in our reviews on repeat. Bring the whole crew.
Rods, reels, tackle, live bait, fishing license — covered. Captain Richard cleans your catch at the dock if you keep it.
100% would recommend. A few of the most recent verified reviews — Read on Google
We had a great experience with Tops Charters and Captain Richard! He was extremely knowledgeable of the water and always ready to step in and help when needed, which made the whole trip smooth and stress free.Lindsay Beal — April 2026
CPT Richards is a very knowledgeable and extremely well prepared CPT. His boat and equipment were all in excellent condition and very well maintained. His communication and people skills coupled with positive attitude made for a terrific day on the water.Carson Griffin — November 2025
Captain was very informative about the area and explained exactly how and where we'd be fishing. He stayed on top of everything — bait, rods, and making sure we were always set up. Had a great time on the water.Todd J. — June 2025
Tops Charters with Richard was an outstanding trip. He's incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of fishing and made sure I was on the fish the whole time. I've been on plenty of guided trips — Richard was the best.Larry M. — May 2025
Caught a bunch of fish. Saw some dolphins which was the coolest for me, and one alligator. I'm not the best fisher. He was patient and kind. Perfect for any skill level. Great conversation.Teresa — May 2025
CPT Delgado has certainly poured his heart into this passion to make dreams come true for others. His 20 years of military service gave him the necessary tools needed to develop a top notch charter business.Chris Janis — May 2025