Beginner-Friendly Extended Half Day New Orleans Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing trip with professional guidanceTarget redfish, sea trout, and flounder in calm Louisiana watersAll equipment, bait, and fish cleaning services included
If you've been thinking about trying your hand at Louisiana fishing but don't know where to start, Captain Mark's got you covered. This 6-hour guided trip out of New Orleans is designed specifically for first-time anglers who want to learn the ropes without any pressure. You'll spend your day targeting three of Louisiana's most popular inshore species – Redfish, Sea Trout, and Summer Flounder – while learning everything from basic casting techniques to proper fish handling. With a maximum of just 2 guests, you get personalized attention that makes all the difference when you're starting out.
Captain Mark keeps things relaxed and educational from the moment you step aboard. The calm inshore waters around New Orleans provide the perfect classroom for beginners – no rough seas or intimidating open water to worry about. You'll start with the fundamentals: how to hold a rod properly, different casting techniques for various situations, and understanding how different baits work. The captain provides all your tackle, bait, and lures, so you don't need to stress about having the right gear. He'll show you how to read the water, spot promising fishing spots, and understand what the fish are doing based on tides, weather, and season. By the end of the day, you'll have a solid foundation in Louisiana inshore fishing plus some great stories to share. The best part? Captain Mark cleans your catch at the end of the trip, so you can take home a fresh dinner without any of the messy work.
You'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels – perfect equipment for beginners that won't overwhelm you but still gives you the sensitivity to feel what's happening underwater. Captain Mark uses a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. Live bait fishing with shrimp and croaker is a staple, especially when targeting redfish around structure. You'll also learn artificial lure techniques using soft plastics, spoons, and topwater baits when the bite calls for it. The shallow marsh areas and bayous around New Orleans are perfect for sight fishing, where you can actually see redfish cruising in the clear water – it's a rush when you spot your target and make the perfect cast. Drift fishing over shell beds and grass flats helps you cover water while targeting trout and flounder. Captain Mark explains each technique as you use it, so you understand not just how to do it, but why it works in different situations.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches in these waters and put up an impressive fight that'll get your adrenaline pumping. They're most active during spring and fall, but New Orleans' mild climate keeps them biting year-round in the marshes and shallow bays. What makes redfish special is their aggressive feeding behavior – they'll crush a well-presented bait or lure, giving you that satisfying hookset moment every angler lives for. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, mild white meat that's perfect for blackening or grilling.
Sea Trout offer a completely different fishing experience but are equally rewarding for beginners. These spotted beauties are typically smaller than redfish, running 12-18 inches on average, but they make up for size with numbers and fighting spirit. Trout are most active during warmer months and love grass flats and deeper holes in the marsh. They're known for their delicate mouth, so you'll learn proper drag settings and fighting techniques to avoid losing fish. Sea trout have a distinctive spotted pattern and are prized for their sweet, flaky meat that's considered some of the best eating in Louisiana waters.
Summer Flounder round out your target species list and provide a fun challenge for new anglers. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They typically range from 14-20 inches in local waters and require a different approach than redfish or trout. Flounder fishing teaches patience and bottom-fishing techniques – you'll learn to feel the subtle bite and proper hookset timing. Their unique appearance always gets a reaction from first-time anglers, and their firm white meat is restaurant-quality. Late spring through early fall offers the best flounder action in New Orleans waters.
This top-rated beginner fishing trip fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot. Captain Mark's patient teaching style and small group approach have made this a customer favorite for folks getting their first taste of Louisiana fishing. You'll walk away with new skills, confidence on the water, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. All you need to bring is your Louisiana saltwater fishing license, some snacks and drinks, and a small soft cooler for your catch. The 6-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to practice different techniques and target multiple species without feeling rushed. Whether you're looking to start a new hobby or just want to experience what makes New Orleans fishing so renowned, this trip delivers real value and lasting memories. Don't wait – book your spot and get ready to discover why so many people fall in love with Louisiana inshore fishing.
Your fishing platform for this New Orleans adventure is a brand-new 2023 22ft Blazer 675 Ultimate Bay that's built for serious angling comfort. This bay boat runs on a powerful Mercury 300R engine that'll get you to the productive redfish and trout spots quickly, while the shallow draft design lets Captain Mark work those skinny water flats where the big fish hide. The boat features dual live wells to keep your bait frisky, plus a massive fish box with ice to store your catch properly. When you need to stay put over structure, the 8-foot power poles anchor you silently, and the 36-volt Minn Kota iPilot trolling motor gives precise boat positioning for those finicky flounder. Between fish, cool off with the swim ladder or crank up the JL Audio system. There's also an icebox onboard for your drinks and snacks during the 6-hour trip.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most of our fish run 20-28 inches, though we regularly see bulls pushing 30+ pounds in deeper water. They thrive in our shallow marshes, around oyster reefs, and along grass lines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall are peak times when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love most is their powerful fight - they'll make multiple runs and really test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The secret to consistent redfish success is sight fishing on calm days. Look for their tails or backs breaking the surface in shallow water, then make a quiet approach and cast just ahead of where they're moving. Gold spoons and topwater plugs work magic when they're feeding up shallow.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in black spots that typically run 14-20 inches with some reaching 3-4 pounds. They love our grass flats and shallow bays, especially areas with good current flow around oyster reefs and drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with early morning and evening being prime times when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Anglers love them because they fight hard for their size and have excellent table fare - mild, white, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. The key to consistent trout fishing is working your lures slowly through the grass. I always tell my guests to use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastics, and don't be afraid to fish super shallow - sometimes they're in water so thin you can see their backs.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side watching for prey above. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some pushing 4-5 pounds in our deeper inshore spots. They're active year-round here, though fall months bring the best action when they move into shallower waters to feed heavily before winter. What makes flounder special is their ambush style - they bury in the sand and strike fast when bait drifts overhead. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick is using a slow drift with live croakers or cut bait on circle hooks, keeping your bait moving just off the bottom where they can see it but close enough for that sideways bite they're famous for.
New Orleans