Full Day St. Bernard Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing adventure targeting local speciesExpert Captain James Hanson provides customized guidance throughoutSmall group experience limited to two guests maximum
When you're looking for serious inshore action in Louisiana waters, Captain James Hanson knows exactly where to put you on fish. This full-day guided fishing trip takes you and one other angler into the productive marshes and waterways around St. Bernard Parish, where the fishing stays hot year-round. You'll spend 8 solid hours working the flats, channels, and structure that hold some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species. Captain Hanson's been running these waters for years, and his local knowledge shows in the fish box at the end of the day. Whether you're after your personal best redfish or want to fill up on speckled trout, this customized charter puts you right where you need to be.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Hanson at the dock, where his boat's already rigged and ready to fish. The beauty of St. Bernard's inshore waters is the variety - you might start the morning working shallow grass flats for reds, then move to deeper channels where the trout stack up during temperature changes. Captain Hanson reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Tides, weather, and seasonal patterns all factor into where you'll fish, but that's what separates a top-rated guide from someone just running a boat. You'll cover serious water during those 8 hours, hitting multiple spots to maximize your chances on different species. The boat stays comfortable even on longer runs, and Captain Hanson keeps things moving when the bite slows down at one location.
St. Bernard inshore fishing calls for versatility, and Captain Hanson comes prepared with the right gear for every situation. You'll work with medium-action spinning rods that handle everything from finesse presentations to pulling bigger fish out of heavy cover. Live bait plays a huge role here - fresh shrimp, croakers, and pogies get rigged on circle hooks when you're targeting feeding fish around structure. When the water's clear and fish are spooky, you might switch to soft plastics on jig heads, working them slowly through the grass beds where reds like to cruise. The captain also keeps topwater plugs ready for those magic moments when fish are busting bait on the surface. Depending on conditions, you'll fish everything from 2 feet of water to 15-foot channels, and the tackle gets adjusted accordingly. Captain Hanson handles all the rigging and re-rigging, so you stay focused on fishing instead of tying knots.
Black drum are the heavyweights of St. Bernard's inshore waters, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can push 30-40 pounds or more, using their broad tails and stubborn nature to test your drag system. They love structure like old pilings, oyster reefs, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall offer the best shots at trophy-sized drum, though you can catch them year-round. What makes drum special is their fighting style - they don't jump or make blazing runs, but they pull steady and hard, making you work for every inch of line you gain back.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but that's exactly why anglers love the challenge. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth that make short work of fiddler crabs and barnacles around structure. They bite light and fast, requiring quick reflexes and sharp hooks to connect. St. Bernard's abundant oyster reefs and old oil platforms create perfect sheepshead habitat, especially during their spawning runs in early spring. A 3-4 pound sheepshead fights much harder than you'd expect, and they're fantastic table fare when you want to take a few home for dinner.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard's grass flats produce some beautiful fish. These spotted beauties love areas where fresh and salt water mix, feeding heavily on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. During cooler months, trout move into deeper channels and holes, while summer finds them scattered across shallow flats during early morning and late afternoon feeding periods. A good speck will pull drag and jump when hooked, making them fun on lighter tackle. The 15-20 inch fish are perfect for the cooler, while those over 25 inches - the true "gator trout" - represent trophy catches that serious anglers chase for years.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard Parish offers some of the most consistent red fishing on the Gulf Coast. These copper-colored bruisers patrol grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges, often showing their backs and tails while feeding in shallow water. Slot-sized reds between 16-27 inches fight incredibly hard for their size, peeling drag on powerful runs toward whatever cover they can find. Bull reds over 27 inches take the fight to another level entirely, capable of spooling reels if you're not prepared. What makes redfish special in these waters is their year-round availability - you can catch quality reds in St. Bernard during any month, though fall typically produces the biggest numbers and largest fish.
Captain James Hanson's full-day charter gives you the complete St. Bernard inshore experience, from the early morning bite through the afternoon action. Eight hours on the water means you'll see how these fisheries change throughout the day, learning the patterns that local anglers use to stay on fish consistently. The two-person limit keeps things personal and ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to learn inshore techniques from a seasoned guide, this trip delivers the hands-on experience that creates lasting memories. St. Bernard's year-round fishery means there's never a bad time
Captain James Hanson's 2019 Charles Leonard 26-foot center console is built for serious inshore fishing in St. Bernard's productive waters. The 250HP Suzuki 4-stroke gets you to the redfish and drum quickly while burning less fuel than older engines. What sets this bay boat apart is the wireless trolling motor – perfect for sneaking up on spooky fish in shallow marsh areas without spooking them with engine noise. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure where black drum and sheepshead hang out, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots trip after trip. With room for up to four anglers but limited to two guests, you'll have plenty of casting room and personalized attention. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or working the deeper channels for speckled trout.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of St. Bernard's waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and become easier to target. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear them underwater. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh peeler crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom. They're notorious for light bites, so stay alert and set the hook fast when you feel that subtle tap.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches in our shallow waters, cruising flats so skinny their backs show above the surface. They're year-round targets but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What gets anglers hooked is their bulldogging fight and that classic sight-fishing opportunity on clear days. The smaller slot fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky eaters and will crush everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. My favorite technique is throwing gold spoons over shallow grass flats on incoming tides. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish - cast ahead of them and hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter fish, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with those beautiful spotted sides. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they come up to feed. Spring and fall are your best bets, though summer nights can be magic. What makes them special is their soft, delicate white meat that's perfect for the dinner table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. These fish hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with enthusiasm. They're scrappy fighters that'll give you plenty of head shakes and runs. Here's my secret: on calm evenings, work a topwater plug slowly over grass beds just after sunset. The strikes are explosive and you'll hear them popping shrimp all around you.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black and gray stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders lurk around our dock pilings and bridge structures. They're famous for those human-like teeth that crush barnacles and crabs with ease. Spring months from February through April are peak time when they gather for spawning. What guests love is the challenge - these guys are master bait thieves with delicate bites that'll clean your hook without you knowing. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to trick is using fiddler crabs on a small hook, getting as close to structure as possible. Feel that light tap? Set the hook hard immediately or they'll steal your bait every time.
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