Optimus Fishing Charters 

4.9/5 (60 reviews)
 
State licensed
 606 Seagrape Drive, Ruskin, FL 33570, United States

Optimus Fishing Charters 

 
State licensed
4.9/5 (60 reviews)
map-thumbnail
606 Seagrape Drive
Ruskin, FL, United States

Optimus Fishing Charter invites you to spend a fun and productive day on the bountiful waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Fishing here is excellent throughout the year as a multitude of species comes into season each and every month. With this much diversity in the inshore and nearshore waters, it is no wonder Tampa Bay is a famous fishing hot zone.

Captain Brian Lemelin first started fishing in Tampa back in 2003 and he was hooked from the very first moment. He worked as a first mate for many respected captains in this area, acquiring knowledge and experience, before getting a captain’s license himself. He is now a proud owner and operator of his own charter boat company.

Stepping aboard his 24’ Kencraft vessel built in 2021 with a capacity for 6 guests, you will be whisked to the fishing grounds comfortably. Powered by a 200 HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 42 knots, the boat is fast and steady on the water. It features a GPS and a fishfinder that aid your search for the fish; it has a forward and an aft livewell, an icebox for the catch, and a wireless trolling motor.

Fishing for Redfish, Snook, Cobia, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and Sharks is Capt. Brian’s specialty. He can also take you fishing for the super delicious Sheepshead, Tripletail, and other local species available in season. Using a variety of live bait such as Shrimp and white fish, you will utilize a number of fishing techniques in order to bring the fish on board.

Capt. Brian provides rods, reels, tackle, bait, a fishing license for everyone on the boat, as well as cleaning and filleting after the trip. What is even better than taking your catch home, is having Brian fillet it for you and the Hooks restaurant in Little Harbor cooking it for you! Cooking comes at an extra fee, so make sure you enquire about this service on the trip.

Join Optimus Fishing Charters and enjoy the prolific waters of Tampa Bay and have an unforgettable time

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 60 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
5.0/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (211)

Great trip
Awesome
July fishing trip
+208

Angler rating

58
0
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

96%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

97%

Caught fish

90%

Showing 1 - 5 of 60 reviews
Showing: 5 of 60 reviews
Tina H.
Tina H.
5.0/5

Feb 1, 2024

Half Day Trip (PM)

Mangrove Snapper

VERIFIED

We had a great day of fishing with Brian on Feb 1. Brian was a great communicator and knowledgeable of the entire Tampa Bay Area. We successfully caught fish at every spot and had a wonderful day relaxing and enjoying our time on the water. We also got to see dolphins, manatees, sting rays, and sharks! I will definitely book again with Brian and Optimus Fishing next time we're back in Tampa, and highly recommend to everyone!

We had a great day of fishing with Brian on Feb 1. Brian was a great communicator and knowledgeable of the entire Tampa Bay Area....  

Captain replied
 Tina H. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
 Tina H. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on February 9, 2024
Thank y'all very much. Look forward to doing it again,von your next visit

Wendell B.
Wendell B.
5.0/5

Feb 25, 2024

Half Day Trip (PM)

Awesome

VERIFIED

From start to finish Captain Brian gave us a great experience. He was knowledgeable, kind, and engaging for the entire trip. My son and I went out and he said he gets great joy to see a father and son do things like this. He truly went above the call of duty to ensure our trip was a success and we will use him again in the future. I promise you will not find a better deal nor a better experience.

From start to finish Captain Brian gave us a great experience. He was knowledgeable, kind, and engaging for the entire trip....  

Review media 0
Captain replied
 Wendell B. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
 Wendell B. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on February 27, 2024
Many thanks. Really enjoyed spending time on the water with y'all. Hope you enjoyed the Hook and Cook. Looking forward to seeing y'all in May, for some Mackerel and Blacktip shark fishing.

Darlene H.
Darlene H.
5.0/5

Mar 11, 2024

Half Day Trip (AM)

Great Experience

VERIFIED

Our captain, Brian was fabulous. He was very experienced and explained everything so we all caught fish. He delayed our departure time because it was windy and stayed out longer than expected. We highly recommend Optimus Fishing with Brian!

Our captain, Brian was fabulous. He was very experienced and explained everything so we all caught fish. He delayed our departure...  

 Darlene H. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
 Darlene H. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters

William B.
William B.
5.0/5

Mar 6, 2024

Half Day Trip (AM)

Great trip

VERIFIED

Brian did a fantastic job. Took time to instruct 3 boys on the art of fishing. Knew exactly where to find the fish. Highly recommend him

Brian did a fantastic job. Took time to instruct 3 boys on the art of fishing. Knew exactly where to find the fish. Highly recommend...  

Review media 0
Captain replied
 William B. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
 William B. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on March 8, 2024
Thank y'all very much. Enjoyed spending the day with your awesome family.

Russ S.
Russ S.

Gilbert, AZ

5.0/5

Dec 27, 2021

3/4 Day Trip

Full day out of Ruskin with Brian

VERIFIED

Fun day of fishing with Brian. Brains knowledge of Tampa bay allowed for my son and I to catch fish on what seemed to be a slow day for other charters out on the water. Caught some eaters that Brian filleted and some sport fish. Brian's knowledge of good fishing spots made it possible to find fish if a location was not producing. Moving from one area to next was quick and with tunes going on boat fun and entertaining. Looking forward to coming back again to fish when the bay it at its peak season. Would like to catch one of the bays legend fish and a few more good eaters and I am sure Brian would know where to find them.

Fun day of fishing with Brian. Brains knowledge of Tampa bay allowed for my son and I to catch fish on what seemed to be a slow...  

Captain replied
 Russ S. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
 Russ S. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on December 29, 2021
Thank you kindly. Enjoyed spending the day fishing with y'all.

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
November 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
Half Day Trip (AM)
Low rate deposit non-refundable
4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $500 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
Low rate deposit non-refundable
4 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
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US $450 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
3/4 Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $700 
Entire boat: up to 6 people

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 60 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
5.0/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (211)

Great trip
Awesome
July fishing trip
+208

Angler rating

58
0
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

96%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

97%

Caught fish

90%

Showing 1 - 5 of 60 reviews
Showing: 5 of 60 reviews
Tina H.
Tina H.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Mangrove Snapper

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (PM) on February 1, 2024

We had a great day of fishing with Brian on Feb 1. Brian was a great communicator and knowledgeable of the entire Tampa Bay Area. We successfully caught fish at every spot and had a wonderful day relaxing and enjoying our time on the water. We also got to see dolphins, manatees, sting rays, and sharks! I will definitely book again with Brian and Optimus Fishing next time we're back in Tampa, and highly recommend to everyone!

We had a great day of fishing with Brian on Feb 1. Brian was a great communicator and knowledgeable of the entire Tampa Bay Area. We successfully caught fish at every spot and had a wonderful day relaxing and enjoying our time on the water. We also got to see dolphins, manatees, sting rays, and sharks! I will definitely book again with Brian and Optimus Fishing next time we're back in Tampa, and highly recommend to everyone!  

 Tina H. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on February 9, 2024
Thank y'all very much. Look forward to doing it again,von your next visit

Wendell B.
Wendell B.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Awesome

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (PM) on February 25, 2024

From start to finish Captain Brian gave us a great experience. He was knowledgeable, kind, and engaging for the entire trip. My son and I went out and he said he gets great joy to see a father and son do things like this. He truly went above the call of duty to ensure our trip was a success and we will use him again in the future. I promise you will not find a better deal nor a better experience.

From start to finish Captain Brian gave us a great experience. He was knowledgeable, kind, and engaging for the entire trip. My son and I went out and he said he gets great joy to see a father and son do things like this. He truly went above the call of duty to ensure our trip was a success and we will use him again in the future. I promise you will not find a better deal nor a better experience.  

Review media 0
 Wendell B. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on February 27, 2024
Many thanks. Really enjoyed spending time on the water with y'all. Hope you enjoyed the Hook and Cook. Looking forward to seeing y'all in May, for some Mackerel and Blacktip shark fishing.

Darlene H.
Darlene H.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great Experience

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (AM) on March 11, 2024

Our captain, Brian was fabulous. He was very experienced and explained everything so we all caught fish. He delayed our departure time because it was windy and stayed out longer than expected. We highly recommend Optimus Fishing with Brian!

Our captain, Brian was fabulous. He was very experienced and explained everything so we all caught fish. He delayed our departure time because it was windy and stayed out longer than expected. We highly recommend Optimus Fishing with Brian!  

 Darlene H. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters

William B.
William B.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (AM) on March 6, 2024

Brian did a fantastic job. Took time to instruct 3 boys on the art of fishing. Knew exactly where to find the fish. Highly recommend him

Brian did a fantastic job. Took time to instruct 3 boys on the art of fishing. Knew exactly where to find the fish. Highly recommend him  

Review media 0
 William B. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on March 8, 2024
Thank y'all very much. Enjoyed spending the day with your awesome family.

Russ S.
Russ S.

Gilbert, AZ

5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Full day out of Ruskin with Brian

VERIFIED

3/4 Day Trip on December 27, 2021

Fun day of fishing with Brian. Brains knowledge of Tampa bay allowed for my son and I to catch fish on what seemed to be a slow day for other charters out on the water. Caught some eaters that Brian filleted and some sport fish. Brian's knowledge of good fishing spots made it possible to find fish if a location was not producing. Moving from one area to next was quick and with tunes going on boat fun and entertaining. Looking forward to coming back again to fish when the bay it at its peak season. Would like to catch one of the bays legend fish and a few more good eaters and I am sure Brian would know where to find them.

Fun day of fishing with Brian. Brains knowledge of Tampa bay allowed for my son and I to catch fish on what seemed to be a slow day for other charters out on the water. Caught some eaters that Brian filleted and some sport fish. Brian's knowledge of good fishing spots made it possible to find fish if a location was not producing. Moving from one area to next was quick and with tunes going on boat fun and entertaining. Looking forward to coming back again to fish when the bay it at its peak...  

 Russ S. recommends Optimus Fishing Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on December 29, 2021
Thank you kindly. Enjoyed spending the day fishing with y'all.

FAQs about Optimus Fishing Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
24 ft
Year built
2021
Boat manufacturer
Kencraft
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 200HP
Max cruising speed
48 knots
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What’s biting in Ruskin right now

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