5.0(2 Reviews)Premier Private Inshore Fishing Charter in Jensen Beach
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing adventure for two guestsExpert guidance with topquality gear in coastal waterwaysTarget variety of local fish species in Jensen Beach
Looking for a top-rated inshore fishing experience that won't disappoint? Captain Dennis and Grocery Cart Fishing Charters deliver exactly what serious anglers want—access to Jensen Beach's hottest fishing spots with the local knowledge to put you on fish. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. We're talking about a personalized 2-person trip (with options for up to 4 people including kids) where you get the captain's full attention and the best shots at landing some serious catches. Whether you're after that photo-worthy snook or hoping to feel the power of a tarpon on the line, these inner coastal waterways hold some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish.
Your 4-hour adventure starts in Jensen Beach's productive inshore waters, where Captain Dennis has been putting anglers on fish for years. This isn't a rush job—you'll have plenty of time to work different spots, adjust techniques, and really dial in what's working. The boat comes equipped with top-quality gear, so whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's still learning to tie a proper knot, you'll be fishing with confidence from the first cast. Expect to cover a variety of structures and depths as we chase whatever's biting best that day. The inner coastal waterways here offer everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channels, giving us multiple options depending on tides, weather, and fish behavior. Captain Dennis reads these waters like a book, and he's not shy about sharing the local intel that makes the difference between a good day and a great day.
Inshore fishing in Jensen Beach means adapting your approach to match the conditions and target species. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what the fish are telling us. Live shrimp and pinfish are staples here, especially when snook and redfish are the target. For tarpon, we might switch to larger baits like crabs or scaled sardines. The tackle setup varies based on what we're chasing—lighter spinning gear for flounder and jacks, but when tarpon show up, we'll bump up to heavier rods that can handle their acrobatic fights. Captain Dennis knows exactly where to position the boat for optimal presentations, whether that's drifting a flat, anchoring near a channel edge, or working structure with precision casts. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety—one minute you might be sight-casting to cruising fish in clear shallow water, the next you could be working the bottom for flounder in deeper holes.
"Dennis is very knowledgeable as well as personable. We learned a few fishing tips. All in all a great day as you can see by the tuna!!" - Richard
"My son and I had the pleasure of fishing with Captain Dennis. Great fisherman and just an all around great guy. Dennis put us on the fish and we enjoyed some of the biggest Blackfin Tuna I have ever caught. Looking forward to going out again next trip down to Stuart. Lots of charters in Stuart to pick from and you can't go wrong with Grocery Cart." - Matt
Snook are the crown jewel of Jensen Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure—docks, mangrove edges, bridge pilings—anywhere they can hide and surprise their next meal. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but experienced guides know how to find them throughout the day. What makes snook special isn't just their fight, but their intelligence. They'll test your drag, make runs toward structure, and aren't shy about throwing the hook if you're not paying attention. The slot limit keeps things interesting too—you'll need a fish between 28 and 32 inches to take home, which means plenty of catch-and-release action with both smaller and larger fish.
Tarpon fishing in these waters is world-class, especially during their peak season from May through August. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound range up to monsters exceeding 100 pounds. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial display—once hooked, they'll jump, gill-rattle, and put on a show that'll have you talking for years. They're incredibly strong fighters with the endurance to test both angler and equipment. The inner coastal waters provide perfect tarpon habitat with deep holes, channels, and plenty of baitfish to keep them fed and happy.
Summer flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're fantastic table fare and fun to catch. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms while waiting for unsuspecting prey. They're most active during summer months, as their name suggests, and respond well to bouncing jigs along the bottom or drifting live bait. Flounder fishing requires patience and a sensitive touch—their bite can be subtle, but once you learn to detect it, you'll find these fish are more common than most people realize.
Redfish are another customer favorite, known for their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spots near the tail. These drum family members are aggressive feeders and strong fighters, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action. They school up in shallow waters, especially around oyster bars and grass flats, where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Reds are less spooky than snook, making them great targets for newer anglers, but they'll still give you a memorable fight with their bulldogging runs.
Crevalle jacks round out the target species list, and while they might not be the prettiest fish in the ocean, they fight way above their weight class. These aggressive predators travel in schools and attack bait with reckless abandon. When you hook into a jack, expect a hard initial run followed by a stubborn, circling fight that'll test your stamina
Step aboard our beautifully restored 2011 Contender open fisherman and get ready to explore Jensen Beach's productive inshore waters. This sleek motorboat cuts through the shallows with ease, taking you to prime fishing grounds where snook, redfish, and trout are waiting. The wireless trolling motor lets us glide silently into those honey holes without spooking the fish, while our fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. Stay connected with GPS navigation and VHF radio for a safe day on the water. Perfect for couples or fishing buddies, this boat handles the Indian River Lagoon and coastal flats like a dream. Whether you're casting to mangrove shorelines or working oyster bars, you'll have everything needed for a successful day of inshore fishing in these legendary Florida waters.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the ocean bullies you'll either love or hate. These brassy, golden fighters average 3-5 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds of pure muscle. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often in aggressive schools chasing baitfish. Year-round species here, but summer months bring the biggest schools. Guests get addicted to their raw power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They're not great eating, but the action more than makes up for it. Look for diving birds marking feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past the school and retrieve fast. Here's the secret: they love the chase, so don't slow down your retrieve when they follow.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter inshore species - copper-colored bruisers with those distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-32 inches, perfect slot size for keeping. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, sometimes in just a foot of water with their backs showing. Year-round fishing here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. Guests love them because they fight hard, are relatively easy to catch, and make outstanding table fare with mild, sweet meat. Watch for wakes and nervous water on the flats. My local tip: use a gold spoon or live shrimp and keep your approach quiet - they spook easily in skinny water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of our inshore waters here. These sleek fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though the big females can push 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 70°F - they're super temperature sensitive. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with white, flaky meat. My go-to tip: cast your lure or live bait right into the structure where they hide. Don't be afraid to get close to those mangrove roots - that's where the big girls live.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can grow to impressive doormat size. They bury in sand and grass flats in 8-25 feet of water, perfectly camouflaged waiting for prey to swim by. Fall months from September through November offer the best action as they fatten up before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of finding them and the excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Live finger mullet works great, but here's my trick: use a slow drift with the bait just off the bottom. Keep moving until you find them, then work that area thoroughly since they often group up.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - true bucket list fish. Most run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet, but giants over 200 pounds cruise these waters. They frequent channels, bridges, and deeper holes around 15-30 feet during their spring migration through summer. Peak season here is May through July when they're moving north. What sets them apart is those spectacular jumps when hooked - pure adrenaline. They're not table fare, so it's all about the fight and photos. Here's the key: when one jumps, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the fish. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during those wild aerial shows.
5.0 out of 5.0Dennis is very knowledgeable as well as personable. We learned a few fishing tips. All in all a great day as you can see by the tu...
My son and I had the pleasure of fishing with Captain Dennis. Great fisherman and just an all around great guy. Dennis put us on t...
Jensen Beach, FL