Tampa Bay Redfish and Spanish Mackerel Charter
Captain Brian knows Tampa Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This six-hour guided charter aboard Optimus Fishing Charters takes you through Tampa Bay's most productive inshore waters and up to 10 miles offshore where the action really heats up. Whether you're a weekend warrior or picking up a rod for the first time, Brian's got the skills and patience to make sure you leave with bent rods, tight lines, and maybe a cooler full of dinner. The boat's set up for comfort and efficiency, so you can focus on what matters most – catching fish.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll start your day meeting Captain Brian at the dock, where he'll get you sorted with top-quality gear and give you the rundown on what's biting. Tampa Bay's inshore waters are legendary for holding redfish year-round, and the Spanish mackerel runs can be absolutely electric when conditions align. Brian reads the water like a book – he knows where the grass flats hold trout, which docks are stacked with sheepshead, and when to make the run offshore for bigger game like cobia and king mackerel. The boat handles six hours of fishing comfortably, with plenty of room to fight fish and move around. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, from live bait to lures that have proven themselves in these waters. Brian's approach is hands-on but relaxed. He'll teach you the nuances of reading structure, feeling the bite, and playing fish properly without making you feel like you're back in school.
Techniques and Tackle
Tampa Bay fishing means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. You'll likely start with live shrimp or pinfish under popping corks around grass beds and oyster bars where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. When Spanish mackerel are running, it's all about speed – trolling spoons or casting jigs to breaking fish that can disappear as quickly as they show up. Brian keeps a variety of tackle rigged and ready, from light spinning gear for trout and sheepshead to heavier setups when sharks show up or you hook into something with real shoulders. The key to success here is mobility and reading the signs. Birds working bait, nervous water, or that telltale copper flash of a red's tail in skinny water – Brian knows how to connect these dots and put you in the right place at the right time. Live bait is king in Tampa Bay, but don't be surprised if artificial lures produce when fish are aggressive or you need to cover water quickly.
What Anglers Are Saying
"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
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the backbone of Tampa Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18 to 27 inches and fight like they're twice their size. They're here year-round, though fall and winter often produce the most consistent action as they school up in deeper grass beds and around structure. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they eat aggressively, fight dirty, and never give up until they're in the boat. The sound of a drag screaming when a slot red makes its first run is something every angler should experience.
Spanish mackerel bring a completely different energy to the trip. These silver bullets show up in big numbers during spring and fall migrations, often creating feeding frenzies that'll leave your arms sore from reeling. They're fast, aggressive, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. When the Spanish are running, it's common to double up or even triple up on hookups. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll lose some lures, but the action more than makes up for it.
Sheepshead are Tampa Bay's most challenging target, and that's exactly why experienced anglers love them. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure like dock pilings and bridges, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait stealers, but when you finally connect with a good one, the fight is surprisingly strong. Plus, sheepshead are excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat.
Sea trout patrol the grass flats in impressive numbers, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. These spotted beauties are perfect for light tackle fishing, and they respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. A good trout bite can keep rods bent all day long, and they're one of the most cooperative species when it comes to photos before release.
Cobia are the wildcards of Tampa Bay fishing. These brown sharks-lookalikes show up when you least expect them, often following rays or cruising structure in water so shallow you can see their backs. A cobia eat is visual and explosive – they'll charge a bait or lure with authority that gets your heart pumping. They fight like a bulldozer and can easily reach 20 to 40 pounds in these waters.
Tripletail are Tampa Bay's quirkiest residents. These oddly-shaped fish float near the surface around markers, buoys, and debris, looking like floating leaves until they decide to eat your bait.
5.0(7 Reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Tampa Bay 
Six-hour guided charter targeting redfish and Spanish mackerel offshore
