Beginner-Friendly Jensen Beach Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Guided inshore charter targeting bonito, redfish, snook, and tarponAll gear, bait, and licenses included with expert instructionSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
Captain Ed Zyak's inshore fishing charter in Jensen Beach delivers everything you need for a successful day targeting some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. This top-rated experience focuses on Atlantic bonito, redfish, snook, tarpon, and tripletail in the productive waters around Jensen Beach. Whether you're picking up a rod for the first time or you've been fishing for years, Captain Ed tailors the trip to your skill level while providing all gear, bait, and licenses. The intimate 3-angler maximum ensures personalized attention and plenty of room to work your lines without crowding.
Your day starts with Captain Ed going over the game plan based on current conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns. Jensen Beach's inshore waters offer diverse structure – from shallow grass flats perfect for sight-fishing redfish to deeper channels where tarpon roll and bonito patrol. The boat stays within protected waters, making this an ideal choice for beginners who might get queasy in rough seas. Captain Ed handles all the navigation and fish-finding while teaching you proper casting techniques, how to read the water, and when to set the hook. You'll work a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are hitting that day. The relaxed pace allows time to learn proper fish handling and release techniques, plus you'll pick up local knowledge that'll serve you well on future fishing trips.
Captain Ed runs a well-equipped boat with quality spinning and conventional tackle matched to the target species. For redfish and snook, you'll typically work with medium-action rods and 15-20 pound test, throwing live shrimp or pinfish around structure. When bonito are running, the setup switches to lighter tackle with small jigs or spoons to match their aggressive feeding style. Tarpon fishing calls for heavier gear – 30-40 pound class rods that can handle a fish that might jump six feet out of the water. The captain provides a full selection of terminal tackle, from circle hooks for live bait to various jigs and soft plastics. He'll show you how to rig everything properly and explain why certain presentations work better in different situations. Live bait comes from local sources and stays fresh in the boat's aerated well, while the artificial selection covers everything from gold spoons for bonito to weedless jigs for working shallow grass.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Jensen Beach waters hold some real giants. These ambush predators love to hang around docks, mangrove shorelines, and bridge pilings where they can surprise passing baitfish. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps when hooked and their ability to cut your line on sharp structure. Best fishing happens during the warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they move into shallow water to feed. The slot limit keeps things interesting – you need a fish between 28 and 33 inches to take home, which means plenty of catch-and-release action with smaller fish and the occasional monster that's over the slot.
Tarpon fishing around Jensen Beach peaks during spring and summer when these "silver kings" migrate along the coast. Even a smaller tarpon in the 40-60 pound range will test your skills with powerful runs and aerial displays that'll leave your arms burning. Captain Ed knows the deeper holes and channels where tarpon stage before moving onto the flats to feed. These prehistoric gamefish can live over 50 years and grow past 200 pounds, making every hookup a memorable experience. The fight might last 20 minutes or more, and the photos afterwards always look like you've caught a real monster.
Atlantic bonito show up in big schools during cooler months, usually from late fall through early spring. These members of the tuna family are built for speed and put up a fight that's way out of proportion to their 3-8 pound size. When you find a school feeding on the surface, it's fast and furious action with fish hitting almost every cast. They're excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat that tastes nothing like the stronger-flavored fish in their family. Bonito schools move constantly, so Captain Ed uses his electronics and local knowledge to stay on top of the bite.
Redfish are probably the most reliable target in these waters, with good numbers available year-round. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow grass flats where you can sight-fish to individual fish or small schools. A big red will make a powerful initial run that strips line off your reel before settling into a dogging fight in the grass. They're smart fish that spook easily in shallow water, so Captain Ed teaches you proper approach angles and quiet presentations. The slot limit for reds is 18-27 inches, and fish in that range make excellent eating with sweet, white meat.
Tripletail might be the most unusual fish you'll encounter on this charter. These odd-shaped fish like to float near crab trap floats, channel markers, and other structure, often lying on their side and looking like floating debris. Once you know what to look for, spotting them becomes addictive. They're excellent eating and put up a surprising fight for their size, with a tendency to jump when first hooked. Tripletail fishing requires stealth and accurate casting, making it a great way to improve your skills while targeting a species that many anglers have never seen.
Captain Ed Zyak's Jensen Beach inshore charter offers the perfect blend of learning and fish-catching that keeps both beginners and experienced anglers coming back. The all-inclusive approach means you just show up with snacks and drinks – everything else is handled. With only three anglers maximum, you get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. The diverse fishery around Jensen Beach means there's always something biting, whether it's sight-fishing reds on the flats or battling tarpon in the channels.
The Jensen Special cuts through Jensen Beach waters with confidence, powered by a reliable 200HP Yamaha that gets you to prime fishing spots quickly. This custom 22-foot bay boat from 2020 handles inshore conditions beautifully, whether you're chasing redfish in shallow flats or targeting Atlantic bonito in deeper channels. The spacious design comfortably fits three anglers without feeling cramped during long fights with tarpon or snook. Your captain relies on the advanced fish finder to locate schools and structure, while GPS navigation ensures efficient movement between productive areas. The elevated flybridge provides excellent visibility for spotting feeding fish and navigating shallow waters. Built for Florida's inshore fishing demands, this boat delivers smooth rides and stable fishing platforms that help beginners land their first redfish while giving experienced anglers the performance they expect.
Sarda SardaThese speed demons are like small tunas that hunt in big schools offshore. They average 3-8 pounds with distinctive dark stripes along their silver sides. Bonito are found in mid-water columns, usually 5-20 miles out where water temps hit the 60s and 70s. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when schools feed aggressively on the surface - you'll see birds diving and fish breaking water everywhere. What's fun about bonito is once you find a school, they'll hit almost anything you throw. They fight hard for their size with blazing runs. While too oily for most American tastes, they make excellent bait for bigger game. Pro tip: when you see birds working offshore, get there fast and throw small spoons or jigs - bonito schools move quickly and the bite can shut off just as fast as it started.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for beginners and pros alike. These copper-colored beauties average 20-28 inches and are famous for that black spot near their tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their strong, bulldogging fights. They're also fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing aspect gets addictive - watching their copper backs cruise the shallows before they crush your topwater lure. Local trick: look for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up while they feed head-down in the shallows. Approach quietly and cast well ahead of them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Jensen Beach's mangroves and inlets. These sleek, golden fish average 18-24 inches but can push 40+ inches. You'll recognize them by that bold black lateral line running down their sides. They love structure - docks, mangrove roots, bridges - anywhere they can ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs into cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the cover rather than directly at it - snook spook easily but will dart out to grab a bait that looks like it's getting away.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is what dreams are made of. These prehistoric giants average 80-120 pounds around here, but we see them up to 200+. They cruise our shallow flats, bridges, and inlet mouths, especially during spring and summer months. What hooks anglers is watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water when hooked. Their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs test your skills and equipment. While they're edible, most folks practice catch-and-release due to their bony meat and conservation value. Late spring through early fall offers the best action when they migrate through our waters. Local secret: when you hook one, bow to the fish during its jumps by pointing your rod tip toward it - this gives slack and prevents the hook from tearing out during those aerial shows.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our coolest species to sight-fish. These odd-looking fish average 5-15 pounds and get their name from their rounded dorsal and anal fins that look like extra tails. They're masters of disguise, floating on their sides near debris, buoys, or weed lines to mimic floating logs. Summer through early fall is prime time when they cruise near the surface in 10-50 feet of water. What makes them special is their table quality - firm white meat that rivals snapper or grouper. They're also surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish. The challenge is getting close enough for a good cast without spooking them. Be ready for a strong initial run when hooked. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast your bait 10-15 feet away and slowly work it toward them - direct casts will send them diving every time.
Jensen Beach