7-Hour Flats Fishing with Captain Ty Hibbs
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
7hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and jacksCatchandrelease adventure with expert instruction from Captain TyFlats and backwater fishing for up to 2 guests
Looking for a real Louisiana fishing adventure? Captain Ty Hibbs knows these Slidell backwaters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 7-hour trip takes you deep into the flats and backwater marshes where redfish cruise the shallows and jacks patrol the edges. It's just you and one buddy, so you'll get all the personal attention you need to dial in your technique and land some quality fish. Whether you're slinging flies or throwing artificials, Ty's got the spots and the know-how to make it happen.
This isn't your typical charter boat grind. You'll be working the skinny water where the real action happens – those mysterious backwater cuts and grass flats that hold the best fish. Captain Ty runs a top-rated operation that focuses on quality over quantity, taking just two anglers at a time so everyone gets hands-on coaching. The boat slides through water so shallow you could almost step out and walk, but that's where the magic happens. Redfish tail in inches of water, drum cruise the drop-offs, and flounder ambush baitfish along the channel edges. Ty's been working these waters for years, and he reads them like a book. He'll position you for the best shots and coach you through every cast, whether you're new to sight fishing or looking to sharpen your skills.
Here's where it gets fun – you can fish however you want. Bring your fly rod and work on your presentation to tailing reds, or stick with spinning gear and throw soft plastics and topwater plugs. Captain Ty is equally dialed on both techniques and will match the approach to the conditions and your skill level. On the fly side, you'll be throwing streamers, crab patterns, and shrimp flies to fish you can actually see. It's visual fishing at its best, with Ty on the platform calling out targets and helping you get the fly where it needs to be. If you're more comfortable with conventional tackle, he'll have you rigged with the right artificials – gold spoons for the reds, paddle tails for the drum, and gulp baits for the flounder. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to specific targets rather than just blind casting. This is catch-and-release fishing, so you'll get plenty of photos before sending these quality fish back to fight another day.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these Slidell marshes hold some beauties. These bronze bulldogs range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to oversized bulls pushing 30-plus pounds. Spring through fall offers the best action, with reds tailing in the shallows during moving tides. They're aggressive feeders that will crush a well-presented fly or artificial, and once hooked, they'll make drag-screaming runs toward the nearest structure. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat in super shallow water where you can see every move – it's like hunting with a fishing rod.
Crevalle Jacks bring the power game to these backwaters. These silver bullets are pure muscle, typically running 10 to 25 pounds in these waters. They're most active during warmer months and often travel in small schools along channel edges and drop-offs. Jacks are notorious for their bulldogging fights – they don't jump much, but they'll test your drag and your arms with sustained runs. They're opportunistic feeders that will smash topwater plugs, making for some explosive surface strikes that get your heart pumping.
Southern Flounder are the ninja predators of the flats, lying in ambush along channel edges and grass lines. These flatfish average 15 to 20 inches but can reach impressive sizes over 5 pounds. Fall months are prime time for flounder fishing as they stage for their offshore spawning runs. They're subtle biters compared to reds and jacks, often just feeling like you snagged some grass until they start shaking their heads. Flounder fishing requires patience and a sensitive touch, but hooking a quality doormat is always a trip highlight.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, with mature fish weighing 20 to 40 pounds or more. These bottom-oriented feeders are most active during cooler months and are often found around shell beds and deeper holes. They're methodical feeders that prefer crabs and shrimp imitations worked slowly along the bottom. While not the flashiest fighters, big drum are powerful fish that make impressive runs and provide a serious arm workout. Their size alone makes them a photo-worthy catch that proves you've tangled with a legitimate Louisiana marsh monster.
Captain Ty's approach is what sets this trip apart from the typical charter grind. Instead of running from spot to spot burning gas, he focuses on working productive areas thoroughly and teaching you to read the water. You'll learn to spot the subtle signs that indicate fish – nervous bait, swirls in the grass, color changes in the water. It's fishing education combined with solid action, and that knowledge stays with you long after the trip ends. The catch-and-release philosophy means these fish stay healthy for future trips, and the small group size ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time. Plus, there's something special about fishing water that still feels wild and untouched, where the only sounds are redfish tailing and the occasional splash of a jack ambushing bait.
Seven hours on the water with a captain who knows these marshes inside and out – that's a world-class fishing experience right there. Whether you want to dial in your fly fishing skills or just enjoy some quality time on the water catching fish, Captain Ty Hibbs delivers the goods. These backwater spots don't
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our shallow water game, and they'll give you a fight that tests your tackle. These dark, powerful fish range from 5-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds in deeper water. They cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. What draws anglers to drum is their brute strength and the challenge of the hunt. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. The big ones are better released since the meat gets tough. These fish are bottom feeders, so keep your bait on the deck. Here's the key: fresh blue crab is candy to drum. Rig it on a circle hook with just enough weight to hold bottom, and be patient. When a drum picks up your bait, they'll often move off slowly before the real fight begins.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bullies of our backwater, and they'll give you an arm workout you won't forget. These brassy, muscle-bound fish typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the big boys can hit 30+ pounds. They school up around structure, grass beds, and anywhere baitfish gather. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign that jacks are pushing mullet and sardines to the surface. Spring and summer are prime time when they're most active in the shallows. What guests love about jacks is their raw power and willingness to hit almost anything you throw at them. They're not great table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. These fish will strip line like nobody's business. Local trick: when you find a school, cast silver spoons or topwater plugs beyond them and retrieve fast. Jacks love the chase, and that aggressive retrieve triggers their predator instincts every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana's shallow water fishing. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches and love cruising our marsh flats in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them around oyster beds, grass lines, and muddy bottoms where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. That signature black spot near their tail isn't just for show - it confuses predators and makes for a great target when sight fishing. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on incoming tides when they push up shallow to feed. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights that'll test your drag. The smaller ones are table fare gold with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you see their backs out of the water "tailing," cast past them and work your bait slowly back - they spook easily in skinny water but the payoff is worth it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise in our Louisiana waters, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch them up to 25+ inches on good days. Both eyes sit on their left side, which always gets a laugh from first-timers. They love shallow bays, creek mouths, and areas with soft bottom where they can bury themselves. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their winter offshore migration. What makes flounder special is their excellent eating quality - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also fun for kids since they don't fight as hard as other species but still provide that satisfying bend in the rod. The trick with flounder is patience. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait and swim off with it, and if you rush the hookset, you'll pull it right out of their mouth.
Slidell, LA