New Orleans Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday and halfday inshore fishing charters availableTarget Flounder, Sheepshead, Redfish, and Speckled Trout speciesPrivate charter accommodates up to 2 guests maximum
Captain Mike knows these Louisiana waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. Whether you're looking for a quick half-day trip or want to go all-out with a full seven-hour adventure, A Fishing Fool has got you covered. These aren't your typical tourist charters – Mike takes you to his personal honey holes where the locals fish, the spots that consistently produce quality catches year after year. You'll be fishing the productive inshore waters around New Orleans, targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species in areas that most captains keep secret.
Your day starts early with Captain Mike, who'll have all the gear rigged and ready before you step aboard. This is a small-group experience with just two anglers max, so you're getting personalized attention the entire trip. Mike's boat is set up specifically for inshore fishing – shallow draft, quiet trolling motor, and positioned with casting decks that give you clean shots at feeding fish. The pace depends on what you're after and how the fish are behaving, but expect to hit multiple spots throughout the day. Mike reads the water, weather, and tides to put you where the action is hottest. You'll spend time working different structures, grass lines, and drop-offs where these coastal species like to hang out and feed.
Captain Mike runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. You'll likely be throwing live bait on popping corks for speckled trout, working jigs and soft plastics around structure for redfish, and dropping fresh shrimp or crabs near pilings and rocks for sheepshead. The tackle is all provided – medium-action spinning rods spooled with braided line that can handle these inshore fighters. Mike keeps a good selection of live bait when available, plus an arsenal of artificial lures that work in these waters. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, and Mike will show you the proper hookset technique. If you're new to inshore fishing, he'll walk you through reading the water, spotting feeding birds, and identifying the subtle signs that indicate fish are nearby.
Largemouth Bass might surprise you in these brackish waters mixing with the saltwater species. These freshwater fighters adapt well to slightly salty conditions and can be found around cypress trees and grass beds in the back lakes. They're aggressive feeders that hit topwater lures hard, especially during early morning hours. Spring and fall offer the best action, and a good New Orleans largemouth will pull drag and jump just like their freshwater cousins.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore waters, and Louisiana has some monsters. These bottom-feeders love crabs and shrimp around oyster beds and bridge pilings. They're not flashy fighters but they're powerful, using their broad sides to pull hard and steady. The bigger fish – we're talking 20 to 40 pounds – show up in cooler months and can test your patience and tackle. What makes them special is their size potential and the fact that they're excellent table fare when kept within legal limits.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters that'll test your hook-setting skills. These bait thieves hang around any structure they can find – docks, pilings, rocks, and oyster beds. They've got human-like teeth for crushing shells, and they're notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked. But when you connect with a good sheepshead, you've got some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're most active in cooler months and require finesse fishing with small hooks and fresh bait.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These spotted beauties love grass flats, drop-offs, and areas where baitfish concentrate. They're aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The best action happens during moving tides, and a good speck will put on an aerial show when hooked. They're active year-round but peak in spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are built like tanks and fight twice as hard as their weight suggests. They're found in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water while feeding in grass beds and oyster bars. Reds are sight-fishing targets when conditions are right, and there's nothing like watching a big red crush your bait in skinny water. They're available year-round but summer and fall produce the biggest fish, with bull reds over 30 inches putting up legendary battles.
Captain Mike's calendar fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot. This top-rated charter experience gives you access to local knowledge that takes years to develop, plus the personalized attention you won't get on crowded party boats. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new waters or a beginner wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, A Fishing Fool delivers the goods. The combination of Mike's expertise, quality equipment, and prime fishing locations makes this a customer favorite that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. Don't wait – secure your dates now and get ready for some of the best fishing Louisiana has to offer.
Get ready to hit the water with Captain Mike aboard our 22' Shearwater bay boat! This sweet ride packs a 150 HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to those prime fishing spots fast. Built for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead in Louisiana's productive inshore waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on those finicky fish, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. GPS and radar keep you on course and safe, even when the weather gets sketchy. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a toilet so you don't have to cut your fishing short. Whether you're booking a half-day adventure or going all-out with a full day charter, this boat delivers comfort and performance for your New Orleans fishing experience.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of Louisiana waters - thick, powerful fish that'll test your gear. These grey-black bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds around here, though the big bulls can hit 90 pounds. You'll find them on shallow muddy flats, around oyster beds, and near structure in 2-20 feet of water. They love brackish areas where fresh and saltwater mix. Spring during spawning season is prime time when they school up and get easier to target. What guests love is the raw power - drum don't jump, they just pull like a freight train. The smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great with firm, mild meat. Best baits are fresh crab, cut mullet, or crushed oysters fished right on bottom. Here's the trick: use circle hooks and let them run with it before setting the hook. They're notorious for picking up bait, moving off, then dropping it if they feel pressure too early.
Micropterus SalmoidesAround New Orleans, largemouth bass hang out in freshwater ponds and lakes with plenty of weeds and structure. These green fighters average 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, but they're famous for that massive mouth that extends past their eyes. Spring and fall are your best bets when water temps are steady around 60-75°F. Bass love shallow, muddy areas with cover like fallen trees or thick vegetation. What makes them fun is the fight - they'll jump, run, and give you a real workout once hooked. They hit hard on topwater lures, crankbaits, and plastic worms. The meat's decent eating if you keep the smaller ones. Pro tip: when fishing heavy cover, don't be afraid to throw your bait right into the thick stuff - that's where the big ones hide. Use heavier tackle than you think you need because they'll wrap you up in weeds fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the marquee species that put Louisiana on the fishing map. These bronze beauties with the signature black spot near their tail average 20-35 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing with fall being prime when they school up. What guests love is sight-fishing to tailing reds and that explosive strike when they hit topwater lures. They pull hard, make long runs, and never give up easy. The meat's excellent on smaller fish with a mild, sweet flavor. Gold spoons, topwater plugs, and live shrimp under popping corks are go-to baits. Local secret: look for nervous water or mud puffs on calm days - that's redfish rooting around for crabs. Approach quiet and cast ahead of where they're moving, not right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These silver beauties with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds around our marsh waters. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet, especially where there's moving water. Spring through fall are prime, with early morning and evening being hot times. What makes them special is they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. The fight's fun but not overwhelming, making them perfect for kids and beginners. Plus, they're outstanding table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Soft plastics on jigheads, live shrimp, and topwater plugs all work great. The secret around here is fishing the edges of grass beds during moving tides. Cast beyond the grass line and work your bait back toward the vegetation - that's where they ambush baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our local waters - those black stripes make them easy to spot. These guys run 1-8 pounds typically, with those famous human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. You'll find them around any structure: bridge pilings, docks, oil rigs, jetties in 5-25 feet. They stick tight to cover and rarely venture far from it. Winter through early spring is peak season when they school up for spawning. Anglers love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked, they fight hard for their size. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas work best on small hooks. The key is keeping your bait tight to structure and setting the hook fast when you feel that subtle tap. Use just enough weight to stay down but not so much that you hang bottom constantly.
New Orleans