Full Day St. Bernard Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain James HansonTarget black drum, redfish, sheepshead, and speckled troutPrivate charter accommodates up to 2 guests maximum
Captain James Hanson knows St. Bernard's backwater marshes like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. This isn't your typical crowded charter – with just two spots available, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one. We're talking 8 solid hours of working the flats, drops, and structure where black drum, redfish, speckled trout, and sheepshead call home. The captain's been guiding these waters for years, so you're not just getting a boat ride – you're getting insider knowledge that locals guard pretty closely.
Your day kicks off early when you meet Captain Hanson at the launch. St. Bernard's inshore waters are a maze of productive fishing spots, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channel edges where the big drum hang out. The beauty of this trip is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in knee-deep water, the next you're working live bait around pilings for hefty sheepshead. Captain Hanson reads the conditions each morning and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Wind picking up? No problem – there's always a protected bay or bayou that's fishing well. The boat stays comfortable even when you're putting in serious hours, and with only two anglers aboard, there's plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines.
Captain Hanson comes prepared with everything you need to match the hatch. We're talking quality spinning gear spooled with fresh line, a selection of live and artificial baits, and all the terminal tackle to handle whatever's biting. Depending on what's happening, you might find yourself throwing soft plastics on jig heads for trout, freelining live shrimp for drum, or working topwater plugs during those magic morning hours when redfish are busting bait on the surface. The captain's not just handing you a rod and pointing – he's teaching you how to read the water, when to switch baits, and how to work each spot for maximum success. If you're new to inshore fishing, you'll learn techniques that'll serve you well on future trips. Experienced anglers will appreciate the local knowledge and access to spots that don't see much pressure.
Black drum are the bulldogs of St. Bernard's inshore waters. These bottom-dwellers can push 20-30 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They love structure – think old pilings, oyster beds, and channel drops. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in shallow water for spawning. What makes drum special is their personality – they're curious fish that'll often follow your bait before committing. When one finally grabs your offering, get ready for a drag-screaming run that'll test your patience and your equipment.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of an angler's finesse. These black-and-white striped beauties have human-like teeth and the uncanny ability to steal bait without getting hooked. They hang around structure year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they're fattening up for winter. Captain Hanson knows exactly how to rig for these bait thieves, and landing a few quality sheepshead is like earning your inshore fishing merit badge. Plus, they're absolutely fantastic on the dinner table.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard's grass flats hold some real beauties. These spotted fighters are most active during spring and fall, often schooling up in predictable areas where Captain Hanson can put you right on top of them. Trout are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. A good speckled trout bite can make your day – there's nothing quite like hooking into a school of hungry specks.
Redfish are the poster child of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and for good reason. These bronze-backed fighters are available year-round in St. Bernard, though they really light up during warmer months when they move into super shallow water to feed. Bull reds can exceed 30 inches and fight like freight trains, while slot-sized fish offer perfect table fare. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat – they're opportunistic predators that'll smash everything from topwater plugs to bottom-bounced crabs. Captain Hanson knows where they school up and when they're most likely to cooperate.
This top-rated full-day charter fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing really turns on. With Captain Hanson's reputation and the limited two-person capacity, smart anglers book well in advance to secure their dates. Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to explore new water or a newcomer ready to experience world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the kind of personalized attention and local expertise that creates lifelong fishing memories. The combination of Captain Hanson's knowledge, St. Bernard's productive waters, and the intimate charter experience makes this a customer favorite that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Don't wait – the fish are biting and your spot on this renowned charter is just a phone call away.
The 26-foot Charles Leonard center console cuts through St. Bernard's productive inshore waters with authority, powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki 4-stroke that gets you to the fish fast and quiet. Built in 2019, this bay boat handles the shallow flats and deeper channels where drum and redfish feed with equal confidence. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Hanson position you silently over structure without spooking wary fish, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots trip after trip. The fish finder shows what's below, helping locate schools of trout and drum holding near oyster reefs and grass beds. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without crowding. The center console design provides 360-degree fishing access and keeps gear organized for quick bait changes when the bite heats up.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of St. Bernard's waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black fish with powerful crushing jaws love our shallow muddy flats and oyster beds, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and get aggressive. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's their mating call and a dead giveaway they're around. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, but stick with fish under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough. My go-to trick? Use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom - they won't chase baits up in the water column like other species will.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here in St. Bernard. These bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range 20-35 inches and absolutely love our shallow flats and oyster reefs. They're year-round residents but really turn on during warmer months when they're actively feeding in skinny water. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fight - they'll make long, powerful runs that get your heart pumping. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My favorite approach is sight-casting to tailing fish on the flats using gold spoons or soft plastics. The key is making long, quiet casts ahead of cruising fish and letting your lure sink naturally - they can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaOur speckled trout are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and great table fare. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, making early morning and evening trips productive. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they have tender white meat that's hard to beat. Specks are scrappy fighters that'll make several runs before coming to the net. The trick here in St. Bernard is working the grass lines with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Keep moving until you find them - once you locate a school, you can usually catch several before they move on.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese striped "convict fish" are some of the craftiest targets in St. Bernard waters. Running 1-8 pounds typically, sheepshead have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles off dock pilings and bridge structures. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel them nibbling but they're trying to steal your bait without getting hooked. Spring months bring the best action when they move shallow to spawn. What makes them special is their white, flaky meat that tastes amazing, plus they put up a solid scrap on light tackle. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp, and don't be afraid to scrape some barnacles off pilings to get them fired up.
St Bernard