Sulphur, LA 5 Hour Morning or Afternoon Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charter accommodating up to 3 guestsMorning or afternoon departure options available in Louisiana watersFamilyfriendly adventure with opportunities to catch local species
Looking for some solid inshore action right here in Southwest Louisiana? Captain Tom's got you covered with half-day charters that put you right in the sweet spots where the fish are biting. Whether you're an early bird wanting to hit the water at sunrise or prefer an afternoon session, this 5-hour trip gives you plenty of time to work the flats and channels around Sulphur. With room for up to 3 anglers, it's perfect for a small group wanting personalized attention and maximum fishing time without the crowds.
Captain Tom knows these Louisiana waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish from the moment you leave the dock. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter where you just troll around hoping for the best. You'll be working the shallow flats, marsh edges, and oyster reefs where redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead love to hang out. The beauty of a 5-hour trip is you get to really dial in on what's working - whether that's sight fishing the shallows in the morning or hitting deeper structure when the afternoon bite kicks in. Captain Tom provides all the tackle and knows exactly what baits and lures are producing, so you can focus on the fun stuff - landing fish and making memories with your crew.
You'll be fishing light to medium tackle that's perfectly suited for inshore species - think spinning reels with 15-20 pound test that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites but enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Captain Tom switches up techniques based on conditions and what the fish want that day. Could be throwing soft plastics on jig heads over oyster beds, working topwater plugs early in the morning when the trout are busting bait, or dropping live shrimp around pilings for sheepshead. The boat's rigged with everything you need - from circle hooks for live bait fishing to a selection of proven artificials that work in these waters. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen, drinks, and snacks - Captain Tom's got the fishing side completely handled.
The redfish around Sulphur are absolute tanks, and they're the bread and butter of these trips. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and marsh edges, especially around oyster bars where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can catch keeper reds year-round here. What makes them so exciting is that sight fishing opportunity - watching a 20-pound red cruise through knee-deep water and making the perfect cast ahead of him. When they eat, they eat hard, and the fight in shallow water is something else.
Speckled trout are the other major player, and Louisiana's got some of the best trout fishing in the Gulf. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, grass beds, and shell reefs. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily, but summer mornings can be fantastic when they're busting bait on the surface. Trout have a soft mouth so you've got to play them right, but a good speck dinner is hard to beat. The 15-inchers are great eating, and when you hook into a 4-pound gator trout, that's a fish you'll remember.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the marsh - not the prettiest fish, but they'll test your drag system and give you an arm workout. These guys get big around here, with 20-30 pounders not uncommon, and they love to hug the bottom around structure. They're year-round residents but really turn on in the cooler months. What's cool about drum fishing is you're often sight fishing to them in shallow water, watching these dark shapes cruise the flats. They're curious fish and will often eat a well-presented bait right in front of the boat.
Sheepshead are the trickiest of the bunch but also some of the best eating. These black and white striped convict fish have human-like teeth and love to pick crabs and barnacles off pilings and structure. They're notorious bait stealers, so hooking one feels like a real accomplishment. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead fishing, and they make up for their finicky nature by being absolutely delicious on the plate. Plus, they're just weird-looking enough that everyone wants a photo with their first one.
Captain Tom's 5-hour trips give you the perfect taste of Louisiana inshore fishing without committing to a full day on the water. Whether you choose morning or afternoon, you're getting prime fishing time with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. The small boat capacity means personalized attention and more fishing time for everyone. With redfish, trout, drum, and sheepshead all within reach, you've got excellent chances of taking home a cooler full of fresh Louisiana seafood. These half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around if you want to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Set out on Louisiana's inshore waters aboard this well-equipped motorboat designed for productive fishing trips. The 21-foot vessel comfortably handles up to 3 anglers and comes rigged with everything you need for a successful day on the water. A wireless trolling motor lets you position silently over productive spots without spooking fish, while the GPS keeps you on course to the best fishing grounds around Sulphur. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure where redfish, speckled trout, and other Louisiana favorites hang out. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and cold drinks within reach during those warm Gulf Coast days. Perfect for families or small groups looking to experience some of the best inshore fishing Louisiana has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in brackish areas. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, but keep anything under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. Fresh crab is your best bet for bait - it stays on the hook better than shrimp and catfish won't steal it. Fish it right on the bottom near structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature fish - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near the tail. They cruise shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with their backs showing above water. Most run 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight with long runs that'll test your drag. The slot-size fish make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, crab, and cut bait all work, but topwater lures at sunrise provide the most exciting action. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh edges. They school up during cooler months and scatter in summer. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts since they spook easily in skinny water. Gold spoons work magic here.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect for families - they're willing biters that run 14-24 inches and fight just hard enough to keep it fun. Look for them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. They love soft plastics worked slowly, but topwater plugs at sunrise will give you explosive strikes. The spotted silver sides make them easy to identify, and the white flaky meat is some of the best eating around. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Winter months they school up in deeper channels, but summer finds them scattered across the flats. During cooler months, try trolling jigs at idle speed along drop-offs. A popping cork with live shrimp underneath is hard to beat when they're finicky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble your crab or shrimp right off the hook if you're not paying attention. Spring brings the best fishing when they gather at passes and jetties to spawn. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them excellent table fare despite being tricky to clean. Get your bait tight to the pilings and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap. They've got strong jaws, so don't hesitate. Live fiddler crabs work great, but scraping barnacles off the structure creates a feeding frenzy.
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