Start your fishing adventure in the Everglades’ Chokoloskee Bay! Chokoloskee Bay is a maze of flats, mangrove islands, and rivers, which makes it a paradise for backcountry fishing. You’ll need an experienced guide for this quest, and that’s where Tight Lines Charters comes in. Captain Jeff Zellers has been fishing in this area for 14 years and he knows how to reel in the big fish.

Capt. Jeff fishes from a 22’ Scout bay boat that accommodates up to 4 anglers. There’s enough room for everybody to fish at the same time. This center console bay boat is powered by a 150 HP Yamaha engine and a trolling motor. There’s a T-top to protect you from the sun and a cooler to keep your drinks cold.

Your trip will take place inshore and you’ll mostly target Grouper, Snapper, Snook, Black Drum, and Redfish, but don’t be surprised if you also catch Tarpon, King Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish, or Blacktip Shark. Capt. Jeff can teach you how to catch live bait or he can prepare it before the trip. He’ll also clean and fillet the fish you can keep at no extra charge.

Your fishing license and equipment are covered, you can bring snacks and drinks. As Tight Lines Charters are available in this area only from January till the end of March, don’t miss out on the chance to go fishing with Capt. Jeff. Whether you’re a skilled angler or a novice, whether you’re out to get the trophy fish or just have a great day with your family – this is a charter for you!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Mar 31
    US $600
    Your trip will start at Chokoloskee Island Park Marina and there is enough parking space close to the boat. Capt. Jeff will take you inshore fishing and he will prepare your fishing equipment and bait. After the trip he will clean and fillet your catch at no extra charge!
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Mar 31
    US $600
    Spend an enjoyable afternoon fishing with Capt. Jeff. He has years of experience fishing in this area and knows how to navigate through the labyrinth of Chokoloskee Bay. On this trip your main target will be Snook, Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Pompano.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Mar 31
    US $750
    Fishing experience is not required but can be gained on this trip? You will go inshore fishing for Sheepshead, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Pompano. Capt. Jeff will provide bait and tackle, while you can bring your snacks and drinks.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Mar 31
    US $900
    On a full day trip you get to cover more fishing spots and go a little bit further to some nearby wrecks, or go a bit further south. Capt. Jeff will take you inshore fishing for Snook, Redfish, Sheepshead, Trout, Pompano. All bait and tackle are provided, you just need to bring drinks, snacks, and sunscreen.
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FAQs about Tight Lines Charters

Tight Lines Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $750 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $900 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Tight Lines Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Tight Lines Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn battle)
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License

Tight Lines Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Tight Lines Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning

Top targeted fish species with Tight Lines Charters include:
  • Black Drum
  • Bluefish
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Ladyfish
  • Pompano
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Jeff Zellers
Chokoloskee, Florida, United States
40 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
33 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since January 2019
"I've been on the water all my life. I love fishing and love taking customers fishing." Capt. Jeff is a licensed fishing guide and an avid outdoorsman. He has been fishing since the age of 5. He spends his winters in the Florida Everglades, where he guides fishing charters in the backcountry, seeking out Seatrout, Redfish, and Snook. After that he heads to the Florida Keys to put clients on Permit and Tarpon in the spring. He is joined by his wife Beth, son Theo and daughter Lila wherever the tides take them.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Bluefish Bluefish
Grouper (Goliath) Goliath Grouper
Ladyfish Ladyfish

Boat specs

Scout (Bay boat) originally built in 2012. Powered by a 150HP Yamaha engine.

Length
22 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn battle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No min. age, life jackets supplied
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Catch and Release Mandatory
Tarpon

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Chokoloskee Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 12 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (7)
Awesome day on the water!
Awesome day on the water!
Awesome day on the water!
+4
Angler rating
10
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
83%
Appropriate for children
73%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
73%
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Showing:
5 of 12 reviews
Bruce H.
Maple Grove, MN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

March fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on March 21, 2023
Bruce H. recommends Tight Lines Charters
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied

Raymond F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Jeff

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on March 9, 2023
Raymond F. recommends Tight Lines Charters
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Raymond F. recommends Tight Lines Charters
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Chuck N.
Naples, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day awesome experience with Captain Jeff

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on March 29, 2019
Jeff was very experienced, professional with all the appropriate equipment. We caught targeted fish at all our stops. When...
Chuck N. recommends Tight Lines Charters
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied

Jeff L.
Highland Beach, MD
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

February fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on February 11, 2022
Capt Jeff gave us a great trip, for a 1/2 day charter we had a full day of fun and fishing. I will definitely be seeing...
Jeff L. recommends Tight Lines Charters
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied

Vince S.
Roscommon, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 hours with Captain Jeff

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on March 4, 2022
Great time with Jeff today.
Vince S. recommends Tight Lines Charters
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied