Tampa Bay Guided Fishing Charter for Redfish
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
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.
Customer Stories
"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 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