TarponSpringsCharterFishing.com

Captain Richard Castellano holds his fourth issue USCG  100 Ton Master License.  He grew up fishing Long Island Sound, which later in life led him to owning a charter boat in Freeport, NY, servicing mostly corporate clients.  He then relocated out to Montauk, NY where he began working for Capt Paul Forsberg, owner / operator of the Viking Fishing Fleet.  As a captain with the Viking Fleet he became very familiar with the Canyons of the North East as well as Georges Banks.  Fishing these waters,  he pursued many different species, Tuna, Swordfish, Shark, Mahi, Cod, Pollack and Tile, to name a few. 

     The Viking Fleet then led him down to fish Caribbean waters as they spent their winters in Rincon, Puerto Rico.  He worked deck as a mate and learned how to fish  for Grouper, Snapper and Trigger fish.  

  His knowledge of maintenance / repair on boats then took him to Tarpon Springs, Fl, where He spent  one winter completing a new 160' Viking ship and then several winters refurbishing 3 other  Viking Boats.  He quickly made friends with some commercial captains and began fishing with them as often as possible,  learning the waters of the Gulf of Mexico from captains with years of experience.

     This was the start  of the Vikings of Tarpon Springs.  From 2003 to June 2005 Capt Rich Ran the 140' Viking Starship taking passengers fishing to the Florida Middle Grounds.  He was fortunate enough to bring aboard two local Captains, George Lontakos and Jerry Rathey, making for an unbeatable team.  In fall of 2005 The 120' Viking Superstar made its debut with Capt Rich at the helm and has been fishing the Gulf of Mexico ever since.   He and Captain Paul Forsberg purchased the Gulfstar in 2006 and have since updated / remodeled her into what she is today.  Captain Rich and the Gulfstar are geared for near-shore and offshore charters, his enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of catching fish is sure to make for an excellent trip!

 Captain Rich may be contacted via email at: captrich@gulfstarfishing.com

 

Captain Tyler holds his second issue USCG  100 Ton Masters License and Able Bodied Seaman Unlimited Endorsement. He is a local resident of Tarpon Springs and the newest Captain in the Viking Fleet.  He began working with us a few years back as a mate, and after a lengthy training program he was promoted to the position of Captain.  Prior to working for the Viking Fleet, he was a local Scuba Diving Charter Captain.  He has an extensive knowledge of local waters and has been well trained by our Veteran Viking Captains to find fish for our customers.  Captain Tyler serves on both day and extended overnight trips.  

Captain Tyler assists in hiring, training and scheduling our mates and oversees their growth in our extensive training program.  He is also responsible for provisioning the fleet with food, bait, fuel and supplies for all of our trips.

Captain Tyler may be contacted via email at CaptainTyler@gulfstarfishing.com