8 Hour Expert Inshore Fishing Charter in Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targeting six different fish speciesExpert navigation through Louisiana marshes and Gulf watersSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests
Looking for a serious fishing adventure that'll test your skills and fill your cooler? This 8-hour inshore charter with Catchdat! Charters is what Louisiana fishing is all about. We're talking about navigating the legendary Louisiana marshes and open Gulf waters where the fish are plentiful and the action never stops. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we've got the time to really dial in on the hot spots and adapt to what's working. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to up your game or ready to tackle some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species, this charter delivers the goods. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without crowding each other when the bite gets hot.
This top-rated 8-hour charter gives us the flexibility to fish multiple spots and really zero in on where the fish are holding. We'll start early and make the most of every hour, moving between the shallow flats where redfish cruise and the deeper channels where speckled trout stack up. The Louisiana marsh system is like a giant maze of opportunity – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in knee-deep water, the next you're working structure for hefty black drum. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's constantly reading conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish. We'll adjust our tactics throughout the day based on what's working – if the topwater bite is on fire at dawn, we'll milk it. If the afternoon calls for bottom fishing, we'll switch gears. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to try different approaches and really get dialed in.
We fish smart out here, matching our approach to conditions and target species. You'll be working with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from finesse presentations to battling bull reds in heavy cover. Live bait is king in these waters – we're talking live shrimp, croakers, and cocahoe minnows that drive these fish crazy. But don't think we're just soaking bait all day. Artificial lures play a huge role, especially soft plastics rigged on jig heads for working grass beds and oyster bars. When we're sight-fishing, you'll be throwing spoons and topwater plugs that create just enough commotion to get their attention. The marsh fishing here requires reading the water – understanding how redfish behave around structure, knowing where trout suspend during different tidal phases, and recognizing the subtle signs that separate good spots from great ones. We'll work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper bay edges, adjusting our presentation as we move through different zones.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. They'll range from schooling rats in the 18-24 inch range all the way up to bull reds that'll straighten your hooks if you're not ready. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, but honestly, you can catch quality reds year-round in Louisiana. What makes them special is their attitude – they're aggressive, they fight hard, and they're not shy about shallow water. Watch for them tailing in the grass or cruising the edges of oyster reefs. Sea trout, or speckled trout as we call them, are the other marquee species that keeps anglers coming back. These spotted beauties love structure and moving water, and a good trout bite can result in steady action for hours. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily, but summer nights can produce some monster specimens. Black drum are the heavyweights of the marsh – these bottom-huggers can tip the scales at 30+ pounds and provide arm-burning battles around pilings and rock piles. They're year-round residents, but spring spawning runs bring the biggest fish into shallow water. California flounder are ambush predators that lie buried in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. They're masters of camouflage and provide excellent table fare, with fall being the prime time as they fatten up before winter. Largemouth bass might surprise some folks on an inshore trip, but Louisiana's brackish marshes hold some true giants. These freshwater favorites adapt to slightly salty conditions and can provide explosive topwater action, especially during spring and early summer when they're aggressive and feeding in the shallows.
This world-class 8-hour inshore charter represents the best of Louisiana fishing – experienced guidance, prime locations, and enough time to really make it count. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just want to experience what makes Gulf Coast fishing so legendary, this trip delivers on all fronts. The combination of diverse species, proven techniques, and local expertise creates the kind of fishing adventure that stays with you long after you head home. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what serious anglers already know – Louisiana's inshore waters are among the most productive and exciting fisheries in the country. Book your charter with Catchdat! Charters today and get ready for a day on the water that'll remind you why you love fishing in the first place.
This 24' Blue Wave bay boat is your ticket to serious Louisiana inshore action. Built by Yamaha in 2015 and powered by a monster 425 HP engine, she'll get you to the fish fast and quiet with that wireless trolling motor. The GPS and fish finder combo means we're not guessing where the reds and specks are hiding in these marshes. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox while jamming to the onboard sound system between hookups. Perfect for up to 4 anglers ready to work the flats, channels, and structure where the big bull reds cruise. This boat handles everything from shallow water sight-casting to running the open Gulf when conditions call for it. Built tough for Louisiana's challenging waters and equipped with everything needed for an epic 8-hour grind chasing trophy fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana inshore fishing, commonly running 15-40 pounds around oyster beds and deeper channels. These bottom-feeders use powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish, making that distinctive drumming sound when hooked. Spring brings the best action during spawning runs when they school up in 8-20 feet of water. Guests love the bulldogging fight and the challenge of landing a big one on lighter tackle. Smaller drum under 15 pounds eat well, but the big ones are better released. Fresh blue crab is my secret weapon - cut it in half, use a circle hook, and fish it right on the bottom near structure. Let them run with it before setting the hook.
Paralichthys CalifornicusCalifornia Flounder aren't actually native to Louisiana waters, but Southern Flounder are what we're targeting here. These flatfish typically run 1-3 pounds and love sandy bottoms in 2-15 feet of water. They're masters of camouflage, lying perfectly still until prey swims by. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around structure changes where current meets calm water. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - they hit hard and fight dirty, using that flat body to their advantage. The meat is excellent, flaky and mild. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig with a strip of mullet, bouncing it slow along the bottom near oyster bars or channel edges.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth Bass in our Louisiana marshes average 2-5 pounds, though we see plenty bigger around cypress trees and grass lines. They love shallow cover - fallen logs, vegetation edges, and deeper pockets where fresh meets brackish water. Spring spawning season and fall are prime times when they're aggressive and feeding heavy. What guests love is the explosive strike and acrobatic fight - these fish will jump and run for cover. They're solid eating when kept from cleaner water. The key trick here is working topwater lures early morning around structure. Cast past the cover and work back slowly - when they hit topwater in shallow marsh, it's game on.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of Louisiana inshore fishing, typically running 20-35 inches in our shallow marshes and flats. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail as they cruise 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass edges, and mud flats. Fall and spring give you the most consistent action, but they bite year-round when you find the right conditions. What makes them special is the visual fishing - watching them tail in skinny water and that explosive strike on topwater lures. They're excellent eating in the slot size range. The local edge is using live shrimp under a popping cork near structure transitions, but don't overlook gold spoons worked fast through schools.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are Louisiana's bread-and-butter species, running 1-4 pounds in our grass flats and deeper bayous. They school up around 3-8 feet of water near drop-offs and current breaks, especially where bait fish gather. Cool weather months and early spring offer consistent action when water temps hit that 65-75 degree sweet spot. Anglers love their aggressive strikes and how they cooperate in numbers - catch one, there's usually more nearby. They're outstanding table fare with delicate, flaky meat. My local trick is using a 1/4 oz jighead with a white paddle tail, working it just above the grass tops. When you find the school, stay put and work the area thoroughly.
Louisiana