Extended Half Day Family Fishing in New Orleans
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour family fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Mark provides tackle, bait, and fish cleaning servicesComfortable 22ft boat accommodates families with children of all ages
Looking for a fishing trip that works for the whole crew? Captain Mark's family-friendly 6-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of New Orleans' best inshore waters, where redfish, sea trout, and flounder are waiting. This isn't your typical rushed half-day trip – with 6 solid hours on the water, there's plenty of time for everyone to get comfortable, learn the ropes, and actually catch some fish. The 22ft Blazer handles up to 5 people comfortably, so whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing experience or the grandparents want to get back on the water, everyone has room to spread out and enjoy the day.
Captain Mark knows how to keep a family trip running smooth. You'll launch from one of New Orleans' prime access points and head straight to where the fish are biting. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is there's no rush – kids can take their time learning to cast, adults can relax between bites, and everyone gets multiple chances at different species. The boat comes loaded with all the tackle and bait you'll need, plus Captain Mark handles the fish cleaning so you can focus on the fun stuff. Just bring your own snacks, drinks, and a soft cooler to keep everything fresh. The extended time frame means you'll hit multiple spots throughout the day, giving everyone a real taste of what New Orleans inshore fishing is all about.
New Orleans inshore fishing is all about working the marshes, grass flats, and shallow waters where these species love to hang out. Captain Mark typically runs a mix of techniques depending on what's working – you might start the morning throwing live shrimp under popping corks for trout, then switch to cut bait on the bottom for flounder as the day heats up. Redfish love the shallow grass beds, so expect some sight fishing action where you can actually see the fish before you cast. The boat's shallow draft lets you get into those skinny water spots where the big reds cruise. With 6 hours to work with, there's time to try different presentations and really dial in what each fish wants that day. Kids especially love the popping cork technique – that "pop-pop-pop" rhythm is easy to learn, and when a trout slams the bait, that cork disappears in a hurry.
Summer Flounder are the table fare champions of this trip. These flatfish spend their days buried in sand and mud, ambushing anything that swims by. In New Orleans waters, you'll find them around structure, channel edges, and anywhere the current brings food. They typically run 14-20 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 3-4 pounds. The best part about flounder fishing? Once you find one, there's usually more in the area. They hit live finger mullet, shrimp, and even artificial jigs bounced along the bottom. Kids love catching flounder because they fight differently than other fish – that head-shaking, bulldogging pull is unmistakable.
Sea Trout are your most reliable biters and perfect for keeping everyone engaged throughout the day. These spotted beauties cruise the grass flats in schools, feeding aggressively in the morning and evening hours. New Orleans trout typically range from 12-18 inches, with plenty of keeper-sized fish to fill the cooler. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, and the bite is usually fast and hard. What makes trout fishing so family-friendly is the consistent action – when they're biting, everyone on the boat can get in on it. The sound they make when you land them is distinctive too, that little grunting noise that gives them the nickname "weakfish."
Redfish are the bruisers that get everyone's adrenaline pumping. These copper-colored fighters are built like submarines and fight like they're twice their size. New Orleans reds typically run anywhere from 20-35 inches, with the occasional bull red stretching the tape even further. They love shallow water, especially around oyster beds, grass flats, and marsh edges. When a big red takes off on its first run, there's nothing quite like it – your drag will be screaming and everyone on the boat will be cheering. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from live shrimp to cut mullet to artificial spoons. The sight fishing opportunities for reds in New Orleans are world-class, especially when you can see their backs and tails in just a few feet of water.
This extended half-day trip hits the sweet spot for families who want a real fishing experience without committing to a full day on the water. Six hours gives you enough time to learn, laugh, and land some quality fish, while Captain Mark's patient teaching style ensures everyone feels included. With tackle, bait, and cleaning all included, you're getting serious value for a top-rated New Orleans fishing adventure. The 2-person capacity keeps things intimate and allows for personalized attention, making it perfect for couples, parent-child duos, or close friends who want to focus on fishing without the crowd. Don't wait on this one – Captain Mark's calendar fills up fast, especially during prime fishing months when the redfish, trout, and flounder are all cooperating.
Captain Mark's 2023 22ft Blazer 675 Ultimate Bay boat is built for serious fishing fun with families. This beauty runs on a powerful Mercury 300R engine that'll get you to the hottest redfish and trout spots around New Orleans waters quickly and smoothly. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines, while dual live wells keep your bait frisky and your catch fresh. When you hook into that bull red, the 8-foot power poles anchor you steady for the fight. The 36-volt Minn Kota iPilot trolling motor lets us sneak up on spooky flounder in shallow water without spooking them. After landing your limit, toss drinks in the large icebox and crank up the JL Audio system for the ride back. The swim ladder makes it easy for kids to cool off between bites, and that massive fish box has plenty of room for your family's catch.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. These bruisers average 20-30 inches but can stretch past 40 inches and really test your drag. They love cruising oyster reefs, marsh edges, and grass flats in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall bring the most consistent action when they school up. Families go crazy for reds because they fight like freight trains and their firm, sweet meat is restaurant quality. Here's the secret: look for nervous water or mud trails where they're rooting for crabs, then pitch a live shrimp or gold spoon just ahead of their path and let it sink naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinct black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and pack a solid punch when hooked. You'll find them cruising grass flats, around oyster beds, and in shallow bays where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures, creating explosive surface strikes that get everyone excited. Plus, their mild, flaky white meat is some of the best eating around. The key to consistent success is fishing the grass edges early morning or late evening - they're ambush feeders that love to hide in the vegetation and dart out at passing prey.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are fascinating flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These "chameleons of the sea" change color to match their surroundings perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch some real doormat-sized ones pushing 5+ pounds. They're ambush predators hiding in soft bottom areas, estuaries, and around structure in 10-40 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're most active before heading offshore. Families love them because they fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to tip: use a circle hook with live minnows or squid strips, and keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom - they bite sideways, so give them time to turn the bait before setting the hook.
New Orleans