Full-Day Jensen Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targets bonito and crevalle jackCaptain provides all gear, bait, and fishing licensesEighthour trip accommodates up to three guests maximum
Jensen Beach offers some of Florida's most productive inshore waters, and this full-day charter puts you right in the heart of the action. Captain Ed Zyak knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll make your reel scream. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this 8-hour adventure gives you serious time on the water targeting everything from feisty Atlantic bonito to massive tarpon. You'll fish the Indian River Lagoon, nearshore reefs, and productive flats where snook and redfish patrol year-round. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, you just show up ready to fish.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – eight hours means you're getting the full treatment. Captain Ed starts early, usually around sunrise, when the fish are most active and the water's still cool. You'll hit multiple spots throughout the day, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where tarpon roll. The boat's rigged with quality tackle suited for everything from finicky snook to hard-fighting jacks. Expect to move around based on tides, weather, and what's biting. Some days you'll be sight-fishing in skinny water, other times you'll be working structure in 15-20 feet. The captain reads the water constantly, adjusting techniques and locations to keep you on fish. With only three anglers max, everyone gets personal attention and plenty of rod time.
Captain Ed runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. Live bait is king out here – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp account for most of the action. You'll also throw artificials like DOA shrimp, topwater plugs, and spoons when fish are aggressive. The boat's equipped with both spinning and conventional tackle, from light 15-pound setups for finicky snook to heavier gear for tarpon and big jacks. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, and the captain will show you proper hookset technique if you're new to them. Expect to fish everything from 2-foot grass flats to 25-foot channels, often drifting with the current or anchored on structure. The key is staying versatile – inshore fishing changes by the hour, and successful guides adapt quickly.
Snook are the bread and butter of Jensen Beach inshore fishing. These ambush predators hang around docks, mangroves, and oyster bars, especially during moving tides. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and stubborn fights in shallow water. Fall and spring offer the best action, though you can find them year-round in deeper channels during winter. Snook are slot-regulated, so catch-and-release is common, but the fight is what you're after anyway.
Tarpon show up in serious numbers during spring and summer migrations. These silver kings can push 100+ pounds and will test every knot on your tackle. They roll and jump like no other fish, often throwing hooks with their acrobatic displays. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times, especially around bridges and deeper holes. Even smaller tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give you a workout you won't forget.
Atlantic bonito are speed demons that show up when water temperatures cool in fall and winter. These miniature tunas hit hard and run fast, perfect for light tackle action. They school up over nearshore reefs and wrecks, often mixed with Spanish mackerel. Bonito are excellent eating and great fun on spinning gear – they'll peel drag like fish twice their size.
Redfish patrol the flats year-round, though fall brings the best shallow water action. These copper-colored bruisers are perfect for sight-fishing when conditions are right. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Reds fight dirty, using their broad sides to pull hard in shallow water. Most are slot-sized, making them excellent table fare.
Crevalle jack are the bulldogs of the flats – not pretty, but they'll give you a fight that'll leave your arms aching. These aggressive feeders attack anything that moves, from live bait to flashy spoons. They school up in impressive numbers, especially around bait pods. Jacks aren't table fare, but they're perfect for breaking in new anglers who want to feel what a real fish fight is like.
Jensen Beach's inshore waters produce fish year-round, but this kind of personalized service books up fast. Captain Ed's reputation for finding fish and putting clients on them has made this charter a customer favorite among serious anglers. The full-day format gives you maximum flexibility to chase whatever's biting, whether that's sight-fishing reds on the flats or battling tarpon in the channels. With all gear included and expert guidance throughout the trip, you're getting world-class inshore fishing without the hassle. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Meet the Jensen Special, your ticket to productive inshore waters around Jensen Beach. This 22-foot custom bay boat cuts through the shallows with a reliable 200HP Yamaha, hitting speeds up to 45 knots to get you to the fish fast. Built in 2020, she's designed for serious angling with three comfortable spots for casting. The GPS keeps you on productive spots while the fish finder helps locate schools of bonito and jack. The flybridge gives you elevated visibility to spot rolling tarpon or cruising redfish in skinny water. Whether you're working structure for snook or chasing surface action, this boat handles Jensen Beach's diverse inshore fishery with ease. Perfect setup for targeting everything from aggressive jacks to finicky reds.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are speed demons that'll give you an arm-burning fight. These tuna relatives typically run 3-8 pounds and 18-24 inches, with dark stripes down their silver sides. They school up in big numbers offshore and nearshore, often feeding right on the surface where you can spot diving birds from miles away. Fall and winter are prime time when they're chasing bait along the coast. What makes them fun is their blazing speed - they hit hard and make long, fast runs that'll test your drag. While they're not great table fare in the US, they're fantastic sport fish. You'll often see their dorsal fins cutting the surface like mini sharks when they're feeding. Local trick: when you find a feeding school, throw anything silver and retrieve it fast - they'll compete with each other to hit your lure first.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of the flats - aggressive, powerful fighters that'll give you a workout. These brassy-colored fish typically run 3-15 pounds around Jensen Beach and school up in big numbers. You'll find them everywhere from shallow grass flats to deeper channels, often pushing baitfish to the surface where birds dive frantically. They're year-round residents but really fire up in warmer months. What makes jacks special is their raw power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They're not great eating, but the sport is addictive. When a school gets fired up chasing bait, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. Pro tip: watch for bird activity and that distinct watermelon smell when schools are feeding actively. Cast silver spoons past the school and retrieve fast - they love the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore species - accessible, hard-fighting, and excellent eating. These copper-colored fish with their signature black spots near the tail average 20-30 inches around Jensen Beach flats. Look for them in water so shallow their backs show, cruising oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round fish here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What guests love is their strong, steady fight and how you can sight-fish for them in clear, shallow water. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, mild, and perfect for the grill. The key to redfish success is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. Here's my go-to tip: look for nervous water or wakes in the shallows, and cast a gold spoon or soft plastic ahead of their path.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches around Jensen Beach, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush prey. They love structure - anywhere there's cover, there's probably a snook. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, cast past it and work your lure back through - snook often sit just off the cover waiting to pounce.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver giants that can reach 6-8 feet and 100+ pounds in our waters. These prehistoric fish prefer shallow flats, channels, and nearshore waters around 10-30 feet deep. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through Jensen Beach. What draws anglers from around the world is watching a 150-pound tarpon launch itself 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. Their jumps and bulldogging runs will test every inch of your tackle and patience. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the fight alone is worth it. Most folks practice catch-and-release anyway. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents the line from snapping tight and breaking off during those aerial displays.
Jensen Beach