8 Hour Beginner-Friendly Louisiana Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday beginner charter targets Speckled Trout, Redfish, and SheepsheadAll gear and patient instruction provided for stressfree learningCalm backwaters and coastal marshes perfect for firsttime anglers
If you've been thinking about trying your hand at fishing but don't know where to start, this full-day adventure with Catchdat! Charters is exactly what you need. We're talking about eight solid hours on Louisiana's legendary inshore waters, where the fish bite regularly and the scenery never gets old. This isn't some rushed tourist trip – it's a proper introduction to what makes Louisiana fishing so special. Our guides know these marshes like the back of their hand, and they genuinely enjoy teaching newcomers the ropes. You'll head out targeting some of the most cooperative fish in the Gulf, including Speckled Trout, Redfish, and a few surprises that call these waters home. The best part? Everything's provided, from rods and reels to bait and tackle, so you can focus on learning and having a good time.
This top-rated charter takes you through Louisiana's stunning inshore ecosystem, where winding bayous meet coastal marshes and the fishing stays consistent year-round. You'll spend your day in protected waters, which means comfortable conditions even if it's breezy offshore. The boat launches from one of our local marinas, and within minutes you're cruising past cypress trees and into prime fishing territory. Our captains know exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns – they've been working these waters for decades. The pace stays relaxed, perfect for beginners who want to learn without feeling rushed. You'll move between different spots throughout the day, giving you a real taste of how inshore fishing works. The marshes provide natural windbreaks, so seasickness isn't usually a concern. Plus, the wildlife watching between fishing spots is world-class – herons, pelicans, dolphins, and sometimes even alligators make appearances.
We keep the tackle simple but effective for beginners. You'll primarily use medium-action spinning rods paired with conventional reels, loaded with 15-20 pound test line – perfect for the species we're targeting. Most of the day involves live bait fishing with shrimp, pogies, and sometimes artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons. Our guides will show you how to rig everything properly, from basic Carolina rigs to popping cork setups that work magic in shallow water. The techniques focus on reading water, understanding structure, and learning when to set the hook. You'll fish around oyster beds, grass flats, and drop-offs where predator fish like to ambush prey. The beauty of inshore fishing is that it's forgiving – you don't need perfect casting technique to catch fish. Our captains will position the boat so you're always fishing in the most productive water, and they'll coach you through everything from baiting hooks to fighting fish. By the end of the day, you'll have a solid foundation in Louisiana-style inshore angling.
California Flounder might seem like an odd name for a Louisiana fish, but these flatfish are fantastic targets for beginners. They hang out in sandy areas and around structure, typically weighing 1-3 pounds with some reaching 5+ pounds. Fall and winter are prime time, when they move into shallow water to feed. What makes them perfect for new anglers is their aggressive strike – when a flounder hits, you know it. They fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare.
Largemouth Bass thrive in Louisiana's brackish marshes where freshwater meets saltwater. These fish are incredibly cooperative, especially around grass beds and fallen timber. Spring spawning season brings the biggest bass into shallow water, but they bite year-round in our mild climate. Bass fishing teaches you to work different lures and understand cover, making them perfect teachers for developing anglers. A 3-5 pound Louisiana largemouth will give you a fight you won't forget.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the marsh, with fish ranging from schooling "puppy drum" at 1-5 pounds to massive bull drum that can hit 20+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with excellent senses of smell and taste, making them relatively easy to catch with the right bait. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring. Black drum provide steady action and teach patience – they're not always lightning-fast strikers, but once hooked, they use their broad sides to pull hard.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout) are Louisiana's bread-and-butter fish, beautiful silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. They school up around grass flats and drop-offs, feeding actively in 2-6 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best action, though they bite year-round. Trout are perfect for beginners because they're aggressive, fight well, and are forgiving if your technique isn't perfect. A good Louisiana speckled trout runs 14-20 inches and provides excellent eating.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, with their copper-bronze sides and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish are renowned for their power and endurance, making every hookup exciting. They feed in shallow water, often with their backs exposed, creating heart-pounding sight fishing opportunities. Redfish are customer favorites because they're aggressive, beautiful, and fight like fish twice their size. Louisiana's slot reds typically run 16-27 inches, perfect for the dinner table and photo opportunities.
This beginner-friendly charter represents the best way to discover Louisiana's world-class inshore fishing scene. Eight hours gives you time to really learn, practice different techniques, and experience various fishing spots without feeling rushed. Our patient, experienced guides make all the difference – they remember what it was like to be new to fishing, and they genuinely want you to succeed. The trip accommodates up to four guests, making it perfect
Step aboard The Blue Wave Bay Boat, a 24-foot Yamaha powerhouse built for Louisiana's inshore waters. This 2015 beauty packs a serious 425 HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fishing spots fast, then switch to the whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor when it's time to sneak up on those speckled trout and redfish hiding in the marsh grass. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while GPS keeps you on course through Louisiana's maze of bayous and backwaters. Keep your drinks ice-cold in the onboard icebox and enjoy tunes on the multimedia system between casts. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles everything from shallow flats to deeper coastal waters with ease. Whether you're working live bait around oyster reefs or casting artificials along the shoreline, this rig gives you the stability and comfort needed for a full day chasing redfish, trout, and sheepshead in Louisiana's productive inshore fishery.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are Louisiana's bulldogs - powerful bottom-feeders that can weigh anywhere from 5-30 pounds, with giants reaching 90 pounds. They're easy to spot with their dark coloring and strong, crushing jaws built for cracking oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow marshes in brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning and make those famous drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. They're not flashy fighters but they pull hard and steady. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom near oyster beds - their powerful jaws can crush shells, so don't worry about tough baits.
Paralichthys CalifornicusCalifornia Flounder are unique flatfish that can grow up to 60 inches and 72 pounds, though most you'll catch run smaller. They're masters of camouflage, lying on sandy bottoms in 2-100 feet of water, changing colors to match their surroundings. These aren't native to Louisiana waters - they're actually Pacific coast fish - but they're fascinating creatures with sharp teeth and eyes that migrate to one side as they mature. Spring spawning season offers the best action when they school up. While not huge fighters, they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use live bait like shrimp or small fish and fish it right on the bottom - they won't chase lures up in the water column.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth Bass are the perfect freshwater target for new anglers. These green fighters typically run 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, with that signature huge mouth that extends past their eyes. They love shallow, weedy areas around fallen trees, docks, and vegetation where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and the fight they put up - they'll jump and pull hard once hooked. The meat is decent eating from clean water too. Look for them in Louisiana's freshwater lakes, ponds, and backwaters. My go-to tip: cast right next to cover and work your bait slowly - they often hit just as it drops.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species - bronze-colored bruisers with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, perfect for beginners. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water where you can often see their backs. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love is their aggressive strikes on everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, plus they make strong, steady runs. The meat is excellent - mild and sweet. They're built tough and fight hard without jumping, making them perfect for learning proper fish-fighting techniques. Pro tip: look for nervous water or "wakes" in shallow areas - that's usually a redfish pushing bait around.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are Louisiana's bread and butter fish - beautiful silvery fish with distinctive black spots running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with early morning and evening being peak times. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits, plus they're outstanding table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. They fight well for their size with quick runs and head shakes. You'll find them throughout our coastal marshes and estuaries. Pro tip: work soft plastics or live shrimp slowly over grass beds - they often follow before striking, so keep your bait moving naturally.
Louisiana