5.0(1 Reviews)Lafitte Beginner-Friendly Inshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour private inshore charter targets redfish and speckled troutCaptain provides stepbystep instruction for firsttime anglersAll equipment, tackle, fuel, and fish cleaning included
Looking to get your feet wet in Louisiana's legendary inshore fishing scene? Captain Kevin Hezeau's 7-hour beginner-friendly charter out of Lafitte is exactly what you need. This isn't some cookie-cutter tourist trip – it's a genuine introduction to the marshes and backwaters that make Louisiana fishing world-class. Starting at dawn with a 6:00 AM departure, you'll spend the day learning proper techniques while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species. At $600 for up to two anglers, with room for four total, this private charter gives you the personal attention that makes all the difference when you're starting out.
Captain Kevin knows that everyone starts somewhere, and he's built this trip around making sure you actually learn something while having a blast. You'll be fishing the productive inshore waters around Lafitte, where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf, creating the perfect nursery habitat for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Black Drum. The beauty of this area is the variety – one cast you might be working a grass flat for trout, the next you're sight-casting to a school of reds cruising a shallow bay. Captain Kevin provides step-by-step instruction throughout the day, so whether you've never held a rod or just want to sharpen your skills, you'll leave feeling confident about your next fishing adventure. Everything's included except your Louisiana fishing license, so all you need to bring is some snacks, drinks, and the willingness to learn.
This charter focuses on light tackle fishing and popping techniques – two methods that are absolutely perfect for beginners and deadly effective in Louisiana's inshore waters. Light tackle means you're using lighter rods and reels that let you feel every bite and fight, making even smaller fish fun to catch while still having the backbone to handle bigger redfish and trout. You'll learn to work soft plastics along the bottom for flounder, bounce jigs around structure for sheepshead, and work topwater poppers that create surface commotion to trigger aggressive strikes. Captain Kevin will show you how to read the water, understand tidal movements, and recognize the subtle signs that tell you fish are nearby. The popping technique is especially exciting for beginners because you can actually see the fish explode on your lure – it's visual, aggressive, and gets your heart pumping every single time.
"Capt Derrious Austin made it happen" - David
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are aggressive, fight hard, and are found year-round in the marshes around Lafitte. They typically range from 16 to 27 inches in the slot limit, though you'll occasionally hook into an oversized bull that'll test your drag system. Redfish love shallow water and aren't particularly spooky, making them perfect for beginners to target. They'll eat everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, and when they hit, there's no mistaking it.
Speckled Trout are the other cornerstone species that keeps anglers coming back to these waters. These beautiful spotted fish are more finicky than redfish but incredibly rewarding to catch. They prefer slightly deeper water with grass beds and drop-offs, and they're absolute suckers for a well-presented soft plastic or topwater lure early in the morning. Specks are most active during cooler months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Captain Kevin excels at putting beginners on trout because he understands their feeding patterns and can adjust techniques based on conditions.
Flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Summer flounder, also known as fluke, are particularly fun for beginners because they require a different technique – slow, methodical bottom bouncing that teaches patience and feel. These flatfish can grow surprisingly large, with doormat-sized fish providing serious fights. They're most active during warmer months and are excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for those looking to take dinner home.
Sheepshead are often called the "convict fish" due to their distinctive black stripes, and they're notorious for their incredibly strong bite and sneaky nature. These fish hang around structure like pilings, rocks, and reefs, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and barnacles. They're challenging for beginners because they're light biters and quick to drop the bait, but Captain Kevin's patient instruction helps anglers develop the quick reflexes needed to hook these tasty fish. Landing a quality sheepshead is a real accomplishment that beginners remember long after the trip.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore scene, often growing much larger than their red drum cousins. These fish are bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shrimp, and they put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size. They're most commonly found around oyster reefs and structure, and while they might not be as flashy as other species, they're reliable biters that help ensure everyone on board gets some action. Larger black drum are catch-and-release only, but smaller ones make excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor.
This beginner-friendly charter with Captain Kevin represents exactly what Louisiana inshore fishing is all about – learning from an experienced guide while targeting multiple species in some of the most productive waters on the Gulf Coast. The 7-hour trip length gives you plenty of time to master different techniques without feeling rushed, and the private charter format means you get personalized instruction that group trips simply can't match. With everything provided except your fishing license, and the flexibility to add up to two more guests at $100
This 2009 Ranger 2400 Bay is built for serious inshore fishing in Louisiana's coastal waters. At 24 feet with a powerful 300HP Yamaha engine, she'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly and smoothly, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots. The center console design gives you plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, and with comfortable seating for 4 anglers, there's space for everyone to cast without getting tangled up. The wireless trolling motor is perfect for sneaking up on redfish in shallow water without spooking them, while the GPS navigation system helps pinpoint those productive spots where the trout are biting. Whether you're working the marsh edges for reds or drifting over grass beds for specks, this boat handles the varying depths and conditions of Lafitte's inshore waters with ease. Built tough enough for Louisiana's challenging coastal environment but smooth enough to keep novice anglers comfortable all day long.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-15 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to locate. What makes them special is their famous "drumming" sound they make underwater - you can actually hear them! They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom and be patient - they're notorious for picking at bait before committing. When you feel that steady weight, set the hook hard because their mouths are tough as leather.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Louisiana marshes - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches in the slot, perfect for eating, though we also target bigger bulls in the 35+ inch range that are pure muscle. They love super shallow water from 1-4 feet deep, cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. Spring through fall are prime, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What guests love most is sight-fishing these copper rockets in skinny water - watching them explode on topwater lures never gets old. They fight like freight trains and the slot fish make outstanding table fare with firm, sweet meat. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish in the shallows. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly - they spook easy but once hooked, hold on tight because they'll make blistering runs.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish around Lafitte, typically running 14-20 inches with plenty in the 2-4 pound range. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow bays, usually in 3-8 feet of water where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They bite year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are in the 70s. What makes them special is they're willing biters that fight well for their size, making great catches for beginners, and they're top-notch eating with tender, sweet meat. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move shallow to feed. Here's a local trick: work your lure slow and steady about 2 feet off the bottom. When you feel that distinctive "tick-tick" bite, don't jerk - just lift the rod firmly. Speckled trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work to avoid pulling the hook.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're famous for their human-like teeth that can crack barnacles and oysters with ease. Most of our fish run 2-6 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally hook into 10+ pounders that'll surprise you. They live around any structure - docks, pilings, rigs, and bridge supports where they feed on crustaceans. Winter and early spring are best when they school up for spawning. Guests love them because they're crafty fighters and notorious bait thieves that'll test your skills, plus they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The secret is getting your bait tight to structure and being ready - they'll nibble and steal bait faster than you can blink. Use small hooks with fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp, keep a tight line, and set the hook at the first solid pull. Patience pays off with these sneaky fish.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish change color to match the bottom and can be tricky to spot until they move. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch plenty in the 3-5 pound range around Lafitte. They love sandy and muddy bottoms near structure, often lying in 8-25 feet of water waiting to ambush baitfish. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What guests love about flounder is the challenge - they're smart fish that require finesse, plus they're some of the best eating you'll find with sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My local trick is to use a slow, steady retrieve with live minnows or soft plastics, dragging right along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to grab bait sideways first.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Derrious Austin made it happen
Lafitte