September 2025 | Jensen Beach, Florida
Captain Justin Rieger of Snook Nook Charters claimed top guide honors in the guided division at the 17th Annual Michael Shields Inshore Invitational Tournament this September. Captain Justin and his team “Two & 1/4 Tons of Fun” secured first place out of 36 competitive teams with an impressive 518 points, catching all four target species: Snook, Trout, Redfish, and Tarpon.
The Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Tournament honors a beloved member of the Martin County community. Michael Shields was an avid fisherman who spent much of his life on the St. Lucie River before passing away at just 23 years old after battling bone cancer. His friends created this tournament in his memory, and it has grown into one of the Treasure Coast’s most respected inshore fishing competitions.
Since its inception, the tournament has raised nearly $500,000 for various charities. The 2025 event benefited the Environmental Studies Council, whose mission is to support, protect, and enhance the environmental educational programs of the Environmental Studies Center in Martin County, Florida.
Held annually at River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp in Jensen Beach, the tournament features both a Guided Invitational and an Open division. The catch-and-release format targets four inshore species: Snook, Tarpon, Trout, and Redfish. Points are awarded based on length, with Snook earning two points per inch on natural bait and other species earning one point per inch. Guided teams fish from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, with invitations extended to past winners of the open tournament.
Captain Justin Rieger brings 15 years of professional experience to every charter. His background includes running vessels up to 60 feet across the Treasure Coast, to the Bahamas, and along the East Coast. Today, he specializes in chasing redfish, trout, snook, and pompano in the shallow waters of the Indian River Lagoon, as well as cruising the beaches in search of cobia, tarpon, and permit.
Operating out of Snook Nook Bait & Tackle—one of the Treasure Coast’s oldest tackle shops, established in 1949—Captain Justin runs a 23-foot Parker Big Bay. The vessel was upgraded in 2020 at Two Rivers Boat Works in Stuart, featuring a 250HP Mercury ProXS, an 8-foot Power Pole Blade, and a Humminbird Helix 12 fish finder system.
“Whether you are an experienced angler or just getting started, I’ll do what it takes to make your day on the water an experience to remember,” says Captain Justin. “Safety is our top priority—we encourage parents to bring their kids of all ages and skill levels. They’re the next generation of anglers after all!”
The Indian River Lagoon stretches approximately 156 miles along Florida’s East Coast and is recognized for having the highest biodiversity of any estuarine ecosystem in North America, with over 700 fish species. The Florida state-record Speckled Trout was caught in these waters, weighing over 17 pounds.
The lagoon’s combination of grass flats, mangrove forests, and diverse structure creates habitat for trophy fish. Anglers can find Speckled Trout measuring 30+ inches and bull redfish ranging from 20 to 50+ pounds. Snook are abundant throughout the lagoon’s mangroves, inlets, docks, and bridges, with trophy specimens regularly exceeding 20 pounds. Tarpon provide year-round action with their acrobatic fights.
Captain Justin’s victory at the 2025 Michael Shields Inshore Invitational demonstrates his knowledge of these waters and ability to put anglers on fish. Snook Nook Charters offers half-day inshore trips, full-day offshore adventures, and night fishing experiences.
Charters depart from Snook Nook Bait & Tackle in downtown Jensen Beach. All trips include the fishing vessel, captain, licenses, insurance, rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice.
Website: snooknookcharters.com
Phone: 772-530-1114
Location: Snook Nook Bait & Tackle, Jensen Beach, FL
Instagram: @snooknookcharters
If you’re looking to book an inshore fishing charter in Jensen Beach, FL, you’ve come to the right place. For over 50 years we’ve put anglers of all skill levels on to the fish of their dreams.
Have questions? Call the captain at (772) 530-1114.
© 2020 Snook Nook Fishing Charters. All rights reserved
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