5.0(7 Reviews)Tampa Bay Guided Fishing Charter for Redfish
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Sixhour guided charter targeting redfish and Spanish mackerelCovers inshore waters and coastal areas up to 10 miles offshoreAll experience levels welcome with expert guidance and quality gear
Captain Brian's got Tampa Bay dialed in, and this six-hour guided fishing charter puts you right in the action with him aboard Optimus Fishing Charters. You'll work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper coastal waters up to 10 miles offshore, chasing some of Florida's most popular inshore species. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet, Brian's patient teaching style and knowledge of these waters will have you hooked up and learning something new. The trip covers two anglers with room for extras at $50 per head, and all the tackle and guidance you need comes included.
This charter runs the full spectrum of Tampa Bay's fishing opportunities, starting in the productive inshore flats and grass beds where redfish cruise the shallows. Brian knows these spots like the back of his hand and adjusts the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. You'll fish structure like docks and oyster bars for sheepshead, work the edges of channels for trout, and when conditions are right, push out toward the bay mouth for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but if you've got favorite rods or lucky lures, bring them along. Brian's all about making sure everyone gets hands-on time, whether that means teaching knot-tying basics or helping experienced anglers fine-tune their technique for local conditions.
You'll be fishing a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best that day. For redfish in the shallows, expect to throw soft plastics on jig heads or work topwater plugs early in the morning. Brian keeps live shrimp and pinfish when targeting sheepshead around structure, and when you're hunting Spanish mackerel offshore, small spoons and got-cha plugs are the ticket. The boat carries medium-action spinning gear that handles everything from 15-inch trout to bull reds pushing 30 pounds. If you're new to using circle hooks or fishing with live bait, Brian breaks it down step by step. For the structure fishing, you'll learn how to read your electronics and drop baits right where the fish are holding without getting hung up on every cast.
"Great trip! When we are in the Tampa area, I will definitely book again with Optimus fishing!" - Brian. "Captain Brian was great! Fun and energetic, great with kids and newbie fishermen. Helped us find a good assortment of inshore fish, and a handful of sharks!" - Daniel. "I can not believe how great of a time we had! We booked for Father's Day & we had our two toddlers with us -which of course makes this charter a whole different experience & captain Bryan made sure our charter was so family inclusive its was such a wonderful time! From playing their favorite songs to him physically catching fish and letting them reel them in the kids had a blast!! Can't thank you enough Cap!" - Alexis.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay's inshore scene, and these copper-colored fighters are active year-round in these waters. You'll find them tailing in knee-deep grass flats during high tide or crushing bait around oyster bars when the water drops. Reds in the slot size range of 18-27 inches fight like freight trains, making screaming runs and using their broad tails to bulldoze through the shallows. Fall brings the best action when schools of slot reds gather near creek mouths and deeper grass edges.
Spanish mackerel show up strong from late spring through early fall, and when they're around, the action gets fast and furious. These speed demons hit small lures with authority and put on an aerial show once hooked. They school up around bait pods in 15-30 feet of water, often mixed with bluefish and jack crevalle. Brian knows the spots where Spanish macks stack up, and on good days you can catch them until your arms get tired.
Sheepshead fishing around Tampa Bay's abundant structure keeps things interesting year-round, with winter months being prime time for the biggest fish. These black-and-white striped convicts have pharyngeal teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs, making them notorious bait thieves. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience and skill - they pick up baits so lightly you barely feel the bite, then clamp down and head straight for the pilings. The satisfaction of outsmarting these finicky fish and seeing those distinctive stripes come to the boat never gets old.
Sea trout patrol the grass flats and sandy potholes throughout Tampa Bay, providing consistent action for anglers who know how to read the water. These spotted beauties are ambush predators that love to hammer topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, creating explosive surface strikes that get your heart racing. During midday heat, they slide into deeper grass edges and channels where soft plastics and live shrimp work best. Trout fishing teaches you to read subtle structure changes and water color variations that hold fish.
Cobia are the wildcards that can show up anywhere from shallow flats to deeper bay waters, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These brown sharks with attitude are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you shots at sight-casting to individual fish. When a 30-pound cobia eats your jig right at the boat, the fight combines power runs with head-shaking fury that tests your drag and your nerves.
Tripletail are one of Tampa Bay's most unique targets, floating like leaves around channel markers and crab trap floats throughout the warmer months. These oddly-shaped fish require a stealthy approach and precise casting, making every hookup feel like you solved a puzzle. They fight with surprising power for their size, making strong runs and using their broad profile to leverage against
Captain Brian's 2021 Kencraft 239 Bayrider is built for serious Tampa Bay fishing. This 23-foot center console handles both shallow flats and deeper waters with ease, getting you to where the redfish and Spanish mackerel are biting. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking fish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate structure and schools. GPS navigation ensures we hit the best spots, and VHF radio keeps us connected for safety. With room for two anglers, there's plenty of space to work lines and land fish without getting tangled up. The boat's shallow draft opens up backcountry areas where bigger boats can't go, giving you access to prime fishing grounds. Whether we're drifting grass flats for trout or working structure for sheepshead, this rig puts you in position to succeed on Tampa Bay's productive waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are Tampa Bay's most aggressive predators - these toothy fighters will hit just about anything that moves. They typically run 2-8 pounds in our waters and travel in schools along beaches and nearshore structure during cooler months. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're most active and feeding in our area. What guests love about blues is the raw aggression - they'll attack lures with reckless abandon and fight hard all the way to the boat. They're also great table fare when handled properly, with rich, flaky meat that's perfect for smoking. These fish are not picky eaters and will hit spoons, jigs, or live bait with equal enthusiasm. Here's what you need to know: blues have razor-sharp teeth, so always use a wire leader and be careful handling them. When you find a feeding school, cast metal lures or cut bait into the chaos and hang on tight.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are Tampa Bay's gentle giants - solitary fish that can reach 40-50 pounds and fight like freight trains. These brown, shark-looking fish cruise our flats and structure from spring through fall, often swimming solo or in small groups near the surface. They're curious fish that will investigate boats and floating objects, making them perfect for sight fishing. Spring migration from March to May is prime time when they're moving through our area to spawn. What guests love about cobia is the visual aspect - you can actually see these big fish swimming and cast right to them. Plus, they're phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that tastes almost like shark. When you spot one, here's the trick: don't get too excited and cast right on top of them. Lead them by about 10 feet with a live crab or large jig, then work it slowly back toward the fish. They'll usually circle and investigate before committing.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your reflexes. These sleek predators typically run 15-30 pounds in our waters and cruise the deeper edges from 40-100 feet, especially around structure and baitfish schools. Summer through early fall is peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily on our abundant sardines and spanish mackerel. What makes kings so popular is that blazing first run - they'll strip line like nothing else and jump clear out of the water. The meat is excellent too, with a rich flavor that's perfect for grilling or smoking. These fish move fast and cover ground, so trolling is usually your best bet. Here's what works: rig a live sardine with two hooks on a wire leader - one through the nose, one free-swinging near the tail. Kings love to hit bait from behind, and that second hook will save you from a lot of cut-offs.
Sciaenops OcellatusTampa Bay redfish are some of the most sought-after inshore targets, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches and love our shallow grass flats and oyster bars, especially in 1-4 feet of water. Look for that distinctive black eyespot near their tail - it's a dead giveaway. They're year-round residents here, but spring and fall are prime time when they're most active and feeding aggressively. What makes them special? They fight like crazy, make great table fare with that mild, flaky white meat, and they're perfect for sight fishing. Here's a local tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast your shrimp or soft plastic about 5 feet ahead and let it sink naturally - redfish are ambush predators and they'll pounce on anything that looks easy.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are Tampa Bay's bread and butter inshore fish. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and love our grass flats, especially in 3-8 feet of water around structure changes and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months when water temps drop, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit artificials - topwater plugs at dawn and dusk will drive them crazy. They're also excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to consistent trout fishing is working the edges of grass beds where they ambush baitfish. My favorite technique is a soft plastic on a light jig head, bouncing it along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, count to two before setting the hook - trout often hit and swim toward you.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are Tampa Bay's answer to a puzzle fish - they're tricky but worth the effort. These black-and-white striped convicts average 2-5 pounds and hang tight around any structure they can find: docks, bridges, pilings, and rock piles. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, which is exactly what they're doing around those structures. Spring is your best bet when they're spawning and more aggressive, especially February through April. What guests love about sheepshead is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked, they put up a solid fight. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick? Use the smallest hook you can get away with and keep your bait tight to the structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't hesitate - set the hook hard.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are Tampa Bay's speed merchants and perfect for fast-paced action fishing. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and travel in schools along our beaches and nearshore waters. Fall and spring are peak times when they're migrating and feeding heavily on glass minnows and sardines. What makes spanish mackerel so popular is the non-stop action - when you find a school, you can catch them one after another until your arms get tired. They're also excellent eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. These fish are sight feeders and love shiny objects moving fast through the water. My go-to setup is a small silver spoon or white jig on light tackle, cast into feeding schools and retrieved quickly. The key is keeping your bait moving - spanish mackerel won't hit something that's sitting still. Watch for diving birds and surface commotion to locate feeding schools.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are Tampa Bay's oddball species - they look like floating debris until they suddenly come alive. These mottled fish average 3-8 pounds and have a unique habit of lying on their sides near floating objects, channel markers, and crab trap buoys. Summer and early fall are your best shot when water temps are warm and they're most active. What makes tripletail special is the challenge of sight fishing for them - they're masters of camouflage and can change color to match their surroundings. When hooked, they're surprisingly acrobatic fighters for such odd-shaped fish. The meat quality is outstanding too, with firm white flesh that rivals snapper or grouper. The key to tripletail success is going slow and checking every piece of floating structure you see. Here's my tip: when you spot one, cast well past it and work your shrimp or jig back slowly - they spook easily but once they see the bait, they usually can't resist.
5.0 out of 5.0Great trip! When we are in the Tampa area, I will definitely book again with Optimus fishing!
Brian, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Captain Brian was great! Fun and energetic, great with kids and newbie fishermen. Helped us find a good assortment of inshore fi...
Brian and Brian were both amazing fishing guides! They were very knowledgeable and took great care of us during our time with them...
Awesome time. Best captain on the water
I had an awesome experience fishing with Brian! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and really knew the best spots to find fish. We en...
Brian is a great captain and fisherman
Thank you. Had a great time with you and your wonderful family.
I can not believe how great of a time we had! We booked for Father’s Day & we had our two toddlers with us -which of course makes ...
Alexis Dorrell, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.Thank you all fo...
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