Full Day Family Fishing in St. Bernard Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour inshore fishing charter for up to 4 guestsTarget redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead and black drum speciesFamilyfriendly trip through St. Bernard marshes and bayous
Captain James Hanson knows these Louisiana marshes like the back of his weathered hands, and he's ready to share that knowledge with your crew. This isn't just another charter – it's eight solid hours of patient instruction, local stories, and some of the most productive inshore fishing you'll find along the Gulf Coast. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing trip or you're seasoned anglers looking to explore new waters, Captain Hanson tailors every trip to match your group's experience level and energy.
You'll launch into the maze of canals and bayous that make St. Bernard Parish famous among Louisiana anglers. These protected waters stay calm most days, making it perfect for families with younger kids who might get queasy in choppy conditions. Captain Hanson runs a top-rated operation from his well-maintained boat, equipped with all the tackle you'll need for targeting the area's most popular species. The pace stays relaxed but productive – no rushing from spot to spot, just methodical fishing in proven areas where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout ambush baitfish along grass lines. The scenery alone is worth the trip, with endless marsh grass stretching toward the horizon and wildlife around every bend.
Captain Hanson keeps his boat stocked with quality spinning gear that's perfect for the light tackle fishing these waters demand. You'll be throwing soft plastics, live bait, and topwater lures depending on conditions and what's biting. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working deeper channels for black drum with cut bait on the bottom. Kids love the action because something's always happening, whether it's adjusting the drag on a screaming reel or learning to read the water for signs of feeding fish. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you just need to bring yourselves and maybe some snacks for the day. Ice and fish cleaning are included, so your catch goes home ready for the dinner table.
Redfish are the crown jewel of these Louisiana marshes, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-25 inches in St. Bernard waters, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in during late summer and fall. What makes redfish so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll crush topwater plugs in shallow water, creating explosive strikes that get everyone's heart pumping. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they stack up in deeper holes. Kids especially love redfish because they fight hard but don't require perfect technique to land.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These spotted beauties love structure like oyster reefs and grass beds, making them relatively predictable targets. Most run 14-18 inches, perfect eating size, and they're willing biters on both artificial lures and live shrimp. The best trout fishing happens during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels, but Captain Hanson knows summer patterns too. What's special about specks is how they teach young anglers to feel subtle bites – it's a skill that translates to all kinds of fishing.
Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but don't let appearances fool you – these are some of the craftiest fish in the marsh. They hang around structure like dock pilings and bridge supports, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and barnacles. Landing a good sheepshead takes patience and skill since they're notorious bait stealers, but the payoff is worth it. Most run 2-4 pounds, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. Late winter through early spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this fishery, with mature fish pushing 30-40 pounds or more. These bottom-dwellers love deeper channels and drop-offs, where they root around for crabs and mollusks. What makes black drum special is their power – once hooked, they use every bit of their bulk to try breaking free. The bite can be subtle, just a gentle tap-tap on the rod tip, but when you set the hook, you know you're connected to something serious. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, when they congregate in predictable areas that Captain Hanson knows well.
Eight hours with Captain Hanson on these productive St. Bernard waters represents serious value for families or small groups wanting a world-class inshore fishing experience. You're not just paying for a boat ride – you're investing in local knowledge, quality equipment, and the kind of patient instruction that creates lifelong anglers. The customer favorite aspect of this charter is how it adapts to your group's needs, whether that's teaching basic casting techniques or helping experienced anglers target trophy fish. With everything provided except your fishing license and personal items, booking is simple. These trending Louisiana fishing trips fill up quickly during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your dates for what could be the best trip your family takes this year.
Captain Hanson's 2019 Charles Leonard 26-foot center console is built for Louisiana's marshes and bayous. This bay boat handles St. Bernard's shallow waters with ease, powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki 4-stroke that gets you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on redfish and speckled trout without spooking them, while the GPS and fish finder help locate those productive spots where drum and sheepshead hang out. With comfortable seating for up to four anglers, there's plenty of room for the whole family to fish without bumping elbows. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action, whether you're working the marsh edges for reds or drifting over structure for trout. This boat's shallow draft gets us into those back-country spots where the big fish hide.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our marshes, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90. These gray-black fish love our shallow mudflats and oyster beds, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using fresh peeler crab on the bottom near oyster structure - they can't resist it, and unlike shrimp, catfish won't steal your bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red color and signature black eyespot near the tail. They range 20-35 inches in our waters and absolutely love the 1-4 foot flats where you'll sometimes see their backs out of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. These fish fight hard with long runs that'll get your heart pumping, plus they're excellent on the table. They'll eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, mullet, and artificials. My favorite approach is working topwater plugs over shallow grass flats early morning. The strikes are explosive and never get old.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our most popular inshore target, ranging 14-24 inches with that beautiful spotted silver body. They cruise grass flats and shallow bayous, especially active during cooler months and low-light periods. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll jump and make runs, perfect for getting kids and families fired up. The meat is delicate and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Best action comes on topwater plugs at dawn and dusk over grass beds, but soft plastics work great too. Here's a local secret: when the water drops below 60 degrees, find the deeper channels where they school up thick. Work your lure slow and steady near the bottom.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of St. Bernard's waters with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders lurk around our dock pilings and bridge structures. They're notorious bait thieves, nibbling to steal your offering before committing. Spring months from February through April are peak time when they gather in huge schools. Guests love the challenge - these fish require finesse and quick reflexes. They're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat that rivals any fish in our waters. The key is getting your bait tight against structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel them. Fresh fiddler crab rigged firmly will outfish everything else.
St Bernard