Get into the “Tarpon mode” with Tight Lines Charters! Captain Jeff Zellers has been fishing in this area for more than 14 years and Tarpon is the main reason he comes to Florida Keys. Considered to be one of the most exciting and challenging fish to catch, Tarpon can be found in the waters of the Florida Keys year round – and Capt. Jeff can help you catch them.

You’ll fish aboard the captain’s 22’ Scout bay boat that accommodates up to 4 people (2 can fish at the same time). She’s powered by a 150 HP Yamaha 4 stroke engine. Capt Jeff installed a fighting chair on the bow of the boat, specially for Tarpon trips. There’s also a cooler to keep your drinks cold and a T-top to keep you in the shade.

Capt. Jeff offers Tarpon trips from April to the end of May. They are available every day of the week, both morning and afternoon. The boat departs from the public boat ramp in Spainish Harbor. Capt. Jeff will prepare your fishing equipment and your fishing license is also covered. Just bring your drinks, snacks, and sunscreen.

Regardless of your skill level, catching a Tarpon is something that should be on your bucket list. This hard-fighting fish is a challenge and having a shot at catching one is an unforgettable opportunity. Join Capt. Jeff and find out why fishermen travel all around the world to come to the Florida Keys.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $650
    Spend 4 hours fishing for Tarpon. Captain Jeff will take you to the best fishing spots and help you reel in these amazing water acrobats. A fishing license and equipment are covered.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $650
    Spend an exciting afternoon on the boat with Capt. Jeff. He will prepare your fishing equipment and license, you only need to bring snacks and drinks. You will mostly fish around Bahia Honda Bridge.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $800
    More fishing time will increase your chances of reeling in even the most hard-fighting specimen. Capt. Jeff will provide your fishing equipment, you can bring your snacks and drinks. Don't forget the camera!
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Tight Lines Charter – Keys

Tight Lines Charter – Keys offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $650 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $650 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)

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

Trips booked with Tight Lines Charter – Keys include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Fishing License

Tight Lines Charter – Keys offers the following type of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing

Tight Lines Charter – Keys offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning

Top targeted fish species with Tight Lines Charter – Keys include:
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Jeff Zellers
Big Pine Key, Florida, United States
34 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

Tarpon Tarpon

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

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning

Amenities

Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 30 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
Catch and Release Mandatory

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
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Big Pine Key Fishing Calendar

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Recent fishing reports

Catching tarpon! Bite is on!
Catching tarpon! Bite is on!
March 28, 2024
April dates are filling up. Book now!
Continue reading
Catching BIG Tarpon!!
Catching BIG Tarpon!!
March 23, 2024
We are catching big tarpon. Lots of dates open in early/mid april. Book now and reserve your trip of a lifetime!
Continue reading
Tarpon time is here!!!
Tarpon time is here!!!
March 13, 2024
Book now!! April and May dates are filling up!
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 21 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (47)
Half Day of Tarpon Fishing
Half Day of Tarpon Fishing
Half Day of Tarpon Fishing
+44
Angler rating
21
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
74%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 21 reviews
Brian F.
Boston, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day of Tarpon Fishing

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on May 5, 2023
We had booked a 3 person half day charter for Tarpon fishing with Jeff. Jeff had us hooked on the Tarpon less than 5 minutes...
Brian F. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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Brian F. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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John D.
Crossnore, NC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tarpon fishing with Captain Jeff

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on May 12, 2023
My friend and I went tarpon fishing with Captain Jeff Zellers on a 6 hour trip. Fishing conditions were not ideal, with steady...
John D. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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John D. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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Mike E.
Auburn, AL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Jeff zeller

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on April 18, 2023
Wish I could say it was horrible so I could keep him to myself. But I can’t. The trip was everything I expected and more....
Mike E. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied

Paul M.
Poughkeepsie, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tarpon Fantasies Fulfilled!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on April 12, 2022
I enjoyed a fantastic 3/4 day out on the water with Jeff. 2 massive Tarpon and a Permit brought to the boat then released,...
Paul M. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied

EDWARD R.
Shepherdstown, WV
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tarpon trip with Captain Jeff.

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on April 20, 2022
Captain Jeff was great. He put me on tarpon in the first 10 minutes of the trip. I had 6 hookups and got 2 to the boat. Captain...
EDWARD R. recommends Tight Lines Charter – Keys
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  Jeff Zellers Captain replied