5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Beginner-Friendly Fishing in Lafitte
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Seven-hour private inshore fishing charter departing 6:00 AM dailyCaptain provides step-by-step instruction for beginner anglersAll equipment, tackle, fuel and fish cleaning included
If you're new to fishing or just want a relaxed day on the water without all the pressure, Captain Kevin Hezeau's got exactly what you need. This 7-hour inshore charter out of Lafitte is built for folks who want to learn the ropes while actually catching fish. Starting at 6 AM, you'll have plenty of time to get comfortable with the gear, figure out the techniques, and land some serious catches. At $600 for up to 2 anglers, it's a private trip that moves at your pace—no rushing, no judgment, just good fishing in some of Louisiana's best inshore waters.
Captain Kevin runs a laid-back operation that's perfect for beginners who want real instruction, not just a boat ride. You'll launch from Lafitte and head into the maze of marshes, bayous, and shallow flats where redfish and trout love to hang out. The whole setup is designed around light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every fight without getting worn out by heavy gear. Kevin takes time to show you proper casting techniques, how to read the water, and when to set the hook. The boat holds up to 4 people total, so if you want to bring extra friends or family, it's just $100 per additional angler. Everything's included—rods, reels, tackle, fuel, ice, and fish cleaning—so you just need your Louisiana fishing license and maybe some snacks for the day.
This trip focuses on two main approaches that work great for beginners: light tackle fishing and popping cork techniques. Light tackle means you're using spinning reels with lighter line and smaller lures, which makes the fight more fun but also easier to manage when you're learning. Kevin will set you up with the right rod weight and show you how to cast without backlashing or tangling up. The popping cork method is a local favorite—you've got a cork that makes noise when you jerk the rod tip, and it drives redfish and trout crazy. The sound mimics baitfish feeding on the surface, and predators come running. You'll learn to work the cork with short, sharp pops while keeping slack out of your line. Kevin also mixes in some soft plastic lures and live bait depending on what's working that day. The shallow water around Lafitte is perfect for sight fishing too, so don't be surprised if you see redfish tailing in less than two feet of water.
"Capt Derrious Austin made it happen" - David
Redfish are the stars of the show in these Louisiana marshes, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-27 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter offer some of the best action when they school up in deeper holes. What makes reds so fun is how they eat—they'll slam a popping cork or suck down a soft plastic with authority. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail.
Speckled Trout are the other bread-and-butter species you'll target. These silvery fish with black spots are incredibly popular because they bite consistently and taste amazing. Spring through fall is prime time, especially in the mornings and evenings when they move into shallow water to feed. Trout are structure-oriented, so you'll often find them around oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass lines. They're not as strong as redfish, but they're scrappy fighters that jump and make long runs.
Summer Flounder are flatfish that lie on the bottom waiting to ambush prey. They're masters of camouflage and can be tricky to hook because they often just mouth the bait at first. The key is letting them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder are excellent table fare and provide a different kind of challenge since you're essentially fishing on the bottom rather than working the water column.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped fish that hang around structure like pilings, rocks, and oyster bars. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush shellfish. Getting a good hookset on sheepshead takes practice because they're incredibly sneaky—you'll feel a few taps, then nothing, then realize your bait is gone. When you do hook one, they make a strong initial run before coming to the boat.
Black Drum are the heavy hitters of the inshore scene. These bottom-feeders can get massive—we're talking 30+ pounds—and they'll test your drag system for sure. They're most active in cooler months and love to feed on oyster reefs and muddy bottoms where they root around for crabs and shellfish. The fight is more about power than speed, and landing a big drum is a real accomplishment for any angler.
This beginner-friendly trip with Captain Kevin hits all the right notes—patient instruction, productive fishing spots, and a relaxed pace that lets you actually enjoy the experience. At $600 for a private charter, you're getting personal attention and the flexibility to fish at your own speed. The 7-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to practice different techniques and target multiple species without feeling rushed. Lafitte's inshore waters are consistently productive, and Kevin knows exactly where to put you on fish. Don't forget to grab your Louisiana fishing license before the trip, and consider bringing a cooler if you want to take your catch home. This is the kind of trip that builds confidence and gets people hooked on inshore fishing for life.
This 2009 Ranger 2400 Bay is your ticket to prime inshore fishing in Louisiana's productive waters. At 24 feet with a reliable 300HP Yamaha outboard, she'll get you to the best redfish and trout spots around Lafitte quickly and smoothly. The center console design gives everyone easy access to cast lines while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow areas where the big fish hide. With GPS navigation keeping you on track and comfortable seating for your small group, you can focus on what matters most – hooking into some Louisiana classics. Whether you're working the marsh edges for redfish or drifting over grass beds for speckled trout, this boat handles the shallow inshore waters like a champ. The setup is perfect for learning proper techniques without feeling cramped, and there's plenty of room to move around when fighting fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. You'll find them in brackish areas from super shallow water down to 100 feet. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target them most. What makes them special is their drumming sound they make underwater, plus they're absolute tanks when hooked. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. My local tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and let it sit right on the bottom near structure. They're picky eaters, so patience pays off when these bottom-dwellers finally commit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Louisiana inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, but bull reds can push 40+ pounds offshore. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, marsh edges, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the hottest action. What guests love is their powerful fight and willingness to eat almost anything - they're not picky! Plus, slot-size fish make excellent table fare. They'll crush topwater plugs, spoons, soft plastics, and live shrimp. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows, then make a quiet approach and cast past them before working your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are gorgeous silver fish covered in distinctive black spots, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These are our bread-and-butter inshore species that cruise grass flats and shallow bays hunting shrimp and baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions - early morning and evening bites are prime. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat. They school up in winter, making for fast action when you find them. Artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs work great, plus live shrimp under a popping cork. Local tip: work the grass edges where deep water meets shallow flats. Keep your bait moving - trout are aggressive feeders that respond to action.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black stripes on silver bodies. What really sets them apart are their human-like teeth, perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around docks and pilings. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do show up. You'll find them hugging any structure - bridges, oil platforms, pier pilings - where they feed on crustaceans. Spring is peak season when they gather for spawning. Guests love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with a delicate bite, but the payoff is sweet white meat that's hard to beat. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crab work best. My trick: get your bait tight against the structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - flatfish that lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, changing colors to match their surroundings. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some pushing 5+ pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting to strike at baitfish and crabs. Fall months from September through November are best when they're most active. What guests love is their sneaky bite and excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat on the table. They hit live minnows, mullet, and sea worms fished on bottom rigs. Here's the key: use a circle hook and give them time to fully take the bait before setting. They bite sideways, so that pause makes all the difference between hooking up and coming back empty-handed.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Derrious Austin made it happen
Lafitte