8 Hour Private Inshore Fishing Charter for Families
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour family fishing adventure in South Louisiana bayousTarget Redfish, Trout, and Black Drum in calm inshore watersAccommodates up to four guests with experienced captain guidance
Looking for the perfect way to get the whole family hooked on fishing? This 8-hour private charter through South Louisiana's legendary bayous delivers exactly what you're after. We're talking about calm, protected waters where kids can focus on learning without fighting rough seas, and parents can actually relax while everyone pulls in fish after fish. Your captain knows these marshes like the back of their hand, and they've got a knack for keeping everyone from grandparents to first-timers engaged and catching. With room for up to four anglers, this isn't just another fishing trip—it's eight solid hours of bonding over bent rods and big smiles in some of the most productive inshore waters you'll find anywhere.
South Louisiana's inshore fishery is something special, and this charter puts you right in the heart of it. We'll cruise through winding bayous and shallow flats where the water stays calm and the fish stay hungry. The boat's designed with families in mind—plenty of space to move around, comfortable seating, and all the safety gear you need. Your captain reads the water like a book, adjusting the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. Some days we'll anchor up over structure and let the kids learn bottom fishing basics, other times we'll drift the flats sight-casting to tailing reds. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to try different spots and techniques without feeling rushed. Pack your own snacks and drinks, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready for steady action in some of the most scenic fishing country you'll ever see.
We've got all the tackle covered—medium-action spinning rods perfect for younger anglers, circle hooks to make releases easier, and a tackle box full of local favorites. Live bait is the name of the game here, with shrimp, croakers, and mud minnows doing most of the heavy lifting. Your captain will show beginners how to cast without tangling lines, set the hook properly, and fight fish without losing them at the boat. We'll use everything from popping corks for trout to Carolina rigs for drum, adjusting our approach based on what's working and who's fishing. The shallow draft boat lets us sneak into spots bigger vessels can't reach—those back lakes and hidden ponds where fish haven't seen much pressure. Polarized sunglasses are a must for sight fishing, and we'll teach everyone how to spot nervous water, tailing fish, and other signs that screaming reels are about to follow.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers hang around oyster reefs, grass flats, and shallow ponds year-round, making them perfect targets for family trips. They fight hard but not crazy, giving kids a real battle without completely wearing them out. Look for the distinctive black spot near their tail—that's your trophy photo right there. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can be red-hot if you get on them early. What makes reds so special is how they eat—sometimes subtle taps, other times they'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the other must-catch species on any Louisiana charter. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially when the water temperature is right. They're excellent eating and perfect for teaching kids proper fish handling since they're not too heavy but still put up a decent fight. Spring and fall are prime time, with early morning and late afternoon bites producing the biggest fish. Trout are also great for learning different retrieval techniques—sometimes they want a steady retrieve, other times you need to work that bait with little pops and pauses.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're fantastic family fish. These bottom-dwellers can get surprisingly big in Louisiana waters, giving even experienced anglers a workout. They're found around structure—old oil rigs, bridges, and shell reefs—and they eat just about anything you put in front of them. Kids love them because they're almost guaranteed catches once you find a school, and the bigger ones provide that arm-burning fight everyone remembers. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, with the biggest fish moving through during their spawning runs.
California Flounder add some variety to the mix, though they're less common than our other targets. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges. When you hook one, the fight is unique—more of a bulldogging pull than the head-shaking runs of other species. They're excellent table fare and always generate excitement because of how different they look compared to everything else in the box.
Largemouth Bass round out our target list, especially when we venture into the fresher backwaters where salt meets fresh. These green machines are pure excitement on light tackle, jumping clear of the water and running toward every piece of cover they can find. Louisiana's coastal bass are typically smaller than their freshwater cousins, but they're scrappy and provide non-stop action when the bite is on. They're also catch-and-release favorites, making them perfect for conservation-minded families.
This charter delivers everything families want in a fishing trip—calm waters, steady action, patient instruction, and enough time to really get into the rhythm of Louisiana inshore fishing. Eight hours gives everyone a chance to learn, improve, and maybe even become the boat's top angler for the day. The memories you'll make drifting through ancient cypress swamps and watching kids light up over their first redfish are worth their weight in gold. South Louisiana's inshore waters are world-class for a reason, and this family-friendly approach lets everyone experience that magic regardless of skill level. Don't wait—prime dates
Your family fishing adventure starts aboard our 24-foot Blue Wave Bay Boat, a 2015 Yamaha-built workhorse powered by a reliable 425 HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the best fishing spots in Louisiana's inshore waters with ease. This boat was handpicked for family charters, offering plenty of room for up to 4 guests to spread out and fish comfortably. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're sneaking up on redfish in shallow water, while the fish finder helps us locate schools of trout and drum hiding in the bayous. Keep your drinks and snacks ice-cold in the onboard cooler, and enjoy some tunes on the sound system between catches. With GPS navigation, we'll explore different fishing holes throughout your 8-hour trip, giving everyone plenty of chances to hook into South Louisiana's finest gamefish while soaking up the beautiful marsh scenery.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are some of the toughest fighters you'll hook in these Louisiana waters. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds - real tackle-busters with crushing jaws built for cracking oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and the challenge of getting them away from structure. Smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great - firm, white meat. Bigger fish are better released. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. They'll mouth the bait before committing, so give them time.
Paralichthys CalifornicusCalifornia flounder aren't native to Louisiana waters, but if you're curious about flatfish, they're fascinating creatures. These bottom-dwellers can grow up to 60 inches and weigh 70+ pounds, with razor-sharp teeth that'll surprise you. They're masters of camouflage, changing colors to match sandy bottoms perfectly. What makes them unique is about half are left-eyed, half right-eyed - unusual for flatfish. They feed on squid, sardines, and anchovies, sometimes chasing prey to the surface. Spring spawning season offers the best action when they school up. While not big fighters, they make quite a scene once boated. The meat is buttery and clean-tasting when served fresh. Pro tip: use a trap hook since they often just nibble bait instead of taking it fully.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass aren't our main target in these saltwater bayous, but they do push into brackish areas where fresh water meets salt. These green fighters typically run 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, with that signature huge mouth extending past their eyes. You'll find them around structure - fallen trees, grass beds, and dock pilings in the shallower, less salty spots. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're active and feeding hard. What guests love is their aggressive strike and the way they jump and fight when hooked. They're attracted to bright colors and movement, making them fun on topwater lures. The meat is mild and flaky when cooked right. Local trick: if you see them busting bait near creek mouths, throw a small popper or soft plastic - they can't resist.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our Louisiana inshore fishing - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. These fish typically run 20-35 inches and fight like freight trains, making long runs in shallow water. You'll find them cruising oyster beds, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love most is watching them crash topwater lures and the way they peel drag on light tackle. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing when conditions are right. Pro tip: look for nervous water or birds working - that usually means feeding reds below.
Salmo TruttaSpotted trout are one of our most reliable targets in these Louisiana bayous. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with delicate mouths that require finesse. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in 3-12 feet of water. They love moving water and feed actively during tide changes. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with cooler months finding them in deeper holes. What guests appreciate is their willingness to bite artificials and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for families. They're not the strongest fighters but make up for it with numbers and eating quality. Pro tip: use a light drag and keep steady pressure - those soft mouths tear easily if you horse them.
Louisiana