Fishing With Lester in Haulover

Fishing With Lester combines private charters and a live-bait service around Haulover Inlet. Captain Lester Wenger works with his son, Captain Tristen. The operation offers offshore and inshore fishing, plus freshwater outings when guests want a different setting.

Contact and booking details

Lester and Tristen Wenger

The business describes Lester’s experience as more than forty years on South Florida waters. Tristen grew up fishing with him and now runs charters as a licensed captain. Ask which captain and boat are assigned to your date.

Their live-bait work is part of the business, with pilchards and threadfin herring sold to other anglers. Charter pages emphasize using fresh local bait. Ordering bait for your own boat is a separate service from reserving a guided fishing trip.

Offshore and inshore prices

The published offshore fare is $800 for a half day and $1,250 for a full day. Inshore trips are $700 and $950. The pages do not define those labels with clear hourly durations, so confirm departure and return times before comparing prices.

Offshore targets can include sailfish, mahi, kingfish, wahoo, tuna, grouper and snapper. Inshore trips concentrate on fish such as snook and tarpon around local structure. The captain can explain which approach makes sense for the forecast and your interests.

Freshwater as another choice

Everglades freshwater trips are advertised at the same $700 half-day and $950 full-day rates as inshore fishing. They target peacock bass and largemouth bass. This alternative may be useful when ocean conditions do not suit a group.

A freshwater outing involves a different location and license requirements from a saltwater charter. Ask the captain what each guest needs and where to meet. It should be an agreed trip choice, not an assumed automatic replacement.

Booking and practical questions

Phone is the main booking route, with email also published. Confirm boat size, passenger limit, shade and any restroom needs, since those details are not clearly stated in the reviewed charter pages.

Request the full inclusion list and policy for deposits, cancellations and weather changes. Ask whether fish cleaning and crew gratuity are included. For bait customers, the reviewed prices are $20 per dozen pilchards and $40 per dozen threadfin herring, subject to current supply and confirmation.

Details checked October 4, 2026, using the operator’s published information. Rates, boats, meeting points and policies can change; confirm the final trip details directly. Listed species describe possible targets, not a guaranteed catch or an open harvest season.

Featured photo: Fishing with Lester live bait boat on the water. Photo from Fishing With Lester.

Explore more Florida fishing charters or check local tides and weather before planning your day.