Your Central Florida fishing guide
About Captain Erik Tilson
A USCG-licensed captain with more than 25 years fishing Central Florida lakes for trophy largemouth bass.
More than 25 years on Central Florida lakes
Captain Erik Tilson is a USCG-licensed captain who has spent more than 25 years fishing Central Florida’s lakes for trophy largemouth bass. His experience includes recreational fishing, tournament fishing, and helping guide guests understand how to locate fish and choose techniques for the water in front of them.
Tilson’s Guide Service also offers crappie fishing trips and hands-on instruction for sonar, forward-facing sonar, and mapping. Each option is presented separately so guests can choose the trip that matches what they want to learn or catch.
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Published fishing experience
Sports Illustrated featured Captain Erik’s Kissimmee Chain lure selections and local bass-fishing approach. Erik has also written first-hand instructional content for Guide Fishing, including his guide to the post-spawn bite on the Kissimmee Chain.
Boat, electronics, and sponsors
Captain Erik runs a Phoenix bass boat equipped with Humminbird electronics and a Minn Kota trolling motor. That working setup supports bass and crappie trips as well as practical electronics instruction.
Captain Erik is sponsored by CPF Lures and Fitzgerald Fishing rods.
Equipment and sponsor relationships can change. Confirm any trip-specific equipment needs directly before booking.
Where Captain Erik guides
Six Central Florida fishing areas
Choose a lake-system guide below, or contact Captain Erik if you need help selecting a location.
Guide service at a glance
- USCG-licensed captain with more than 25 years of local fishing experience.
- Bass fishing is Captain Erik's primary guide service.
- Crappie trips and fishing-electronics instruction are also available.
- Published rates are shared from one approved schedule across the website.
- Live bait is not included; customers pay its variable location-based cost.
- The exact lake, meeting point, and trip details are confirmed for the booking.
Captain Erik's public profiles
Use these official profiles to see more fishing photos, videos, and business information connected with Captain Erik and Tilson's Guide Service.