Sulphur's Best 7-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
7-hour inshore fishing trip for up to 3 guestsAll equipment and fish cleaning services includedGuided by experienced Fishing Tom Guide Service team
When you're looking to maximize your time on Louisiana's productive inshore waters, this 7-hour charter with Fishing Tom Guide Service delivers exactly what serious anglers want. Based out of Sulphur, we'll put you on fish in some of the most consistent waters along the Gulf Coast. With seven full hours to work the flats, marshes, and nearshore structure, you'll have plenty of opportunities to fill the cooler with quality redfish, trout, drum, and sheepshead. Everything's included except your fishing license and whatever snacks you want to bring along.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you're barely getting warmed up before it's time to head back. Seven hours gives us real time to cover water and adapt to what the fish are doing. We'll start early, usually around sunrise when the bite is typically strongest, and work through different areas based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The Sulphur area offers incredible variety - one hour we might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next we could be working deeper channels for trout or targeting structure for sheepshead and drum. Captain Tom knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll adjust tactics throughout the day to keep you on fish. You'll get hands-on experience with different techniques, from live bait fishing to artificial lures, depending on what's working best. The boat accommodates up to 4 people comfortably, though it's booked for 3, which means plenty of room to cast without tangling lines.
All your tackle is provided, from rods and reels matched to the target species down to terminal tackle, baits, and lures. We run quality gear that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull redfish that'll test your drag system. Depending on conditions and what we're targeting, you'll likely use a mix of live bait like shrimp, croaker, or pogies, along with artificial lures including soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs. The longer trip allows time to really dial in techniques - if you're new to inshore fishing, you'll learn proper bait presentation and how to read water. Experienced anglers appreciate having time to work different spots without feeling rushed. We'll cover shallow flats where you can sight-fish, deeper bayous and channels, and structure like oil rigs or rock piles where the bigger drum and sheepshead hang out. Captain Tom provides fish cleaning service, so your catch goes home ready for the dinner table.
Redfish are the backbone of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are available year-round in our waters, though fall and spring offer peak action when they school up in massive numbers. Adult reds typically run 20-35 inches in our area, with plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for the table and enough oversized bulls to test your tackle. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. What makes reds special is their versatility - you might catch them in 6 inches of water on the flats or in 15 feet working a channel edge. Their powerful runs and stubborn fight make every hookup memorable.
Speckled trout are the most popular species among local anglers, and our 7-hour trips give you prime time to target them properly. These spotted beauties are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and points where baitfish congregate. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, though summer early-morning and late-evening bites can be phenomenal. Trout are finicky eaters that reward patience and proper presentation - they'll absolutely hammer a well-placed soft plastic or live shrimp when conditions align. Most of our trout run 14-18 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing 20-plus inches that become true trophy catches.
Black drum don't get the respect they deserve, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll give you a workout on the right tackle. Our area holds excellent populations of both smaller slot-sized drum perfect for eating and monster bulls that can exceed 40 pounds. These bottom-feeders love crabs, shrimp, and cut bait fished near structure like pilings, reefs, or channel edges. Spring brings the best drum fishing when they move shallow to spawn, though they're catchable year-round if you know where to look. Big drum fights are legendary - they use their broad sides and weight to pull straight down, making every battle a tug-of-war.
Sheepshead are the craftiest fish we target, earning the nickname "convict fish" for their black stripes and their habit of stealing bait. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles around pilings, rocks, and reefs. They're available year-round but peak during cooler months when they congregate around nearshore structure. Sheepshead require finesse and quick hook-sets since they're notorious bait thieves, but their firm white meat makes them a customer favorite. Most run 12-16 inches, though we regularly see fish pushing 18-20 inches that provide excellent table fare.
Seven hours on the water with an experienced local guide gives you the best shot at experiencing what makes Louisiana inshore fishing world-class. You're not just buying a fishing trip - you're investing in a full day of learning, exploring different water types, and maximizing your chances at a mixed bag of quality fish. Captain Tom's local knowledge combined with quality equipment and prime fishing time creates the perfect recipe for a successful day. Whether you're visiting Louisiana or you're a local angler wanting to fish new water with a proven guide, this trip delivers the goods. Don't forget your Louisiana fishing license, and bring whatever snacks and drinks you prefer for the day. The fish cleaning is handled,
Our well-equipped motorboat is perfect for navigating Louisiana's productive inshore waters around Sulphur. The 24-foot vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. A reliable fish finder helps locate redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the marsh channels and grass flats. The wireless trolling motor keeps us whisper-quiet when approaching shallow feeding areas where fish spook easily. GPS navigation ensures we hit the best spots and return safely. An insulated ice box keeps your catch fresh throughout the 7-hour trip. The stable platform provides secure footing whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working soft plastics along oyster reefs. Captain Tom knows these waters like his backyard and positions the boat for optimal fishing angles and wind protection.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These copper-colored fighters love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, making sounds you can actually feel through the boat hull. They put up a solid fight and smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near structure. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable tussle in the shallows.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored kings of our shallow flats, easily spotted by that distinctive black spot near their tail. They range from schoolie-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to bull reds over 30 pounds. You'll find them tailing in knee-deep water around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats. Fall brings some of the best action when cooler water fires up their feeding. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water - watching a big red blow up on a surface plug is pure excitement. They're strong fighters and smaller slot fish make excellent eating. Local tip: look for nervous water and birds working bait, then approach quietly and cast ahead of cruising fish rather than right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they move up to feed on shrimp and small fish. Fall and winter fishing can be outstanding when they school up in deeper holes during cold fronts. What guests love is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface bite. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: during cooler months, look for them in deeper channels near warm water discharges, and don't overlook creek mouths on incoming tides.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're famous for those human-like teeth that can crush barnacles off pilings. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we see some nice 15+ pounders around docks, bridges, and oil rigs. They're structure huggers - never far from cover. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they gather in big groups. What makes them popular is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with soft mouths, so you need quick reflexes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My advice: use fiddler crabs, get your bait tight to the structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel them nibbling.
Lafayette