Family Inshore Fishing Charter in Louisiana
Private Trip
Fishing
8-hour inshore charter targeting redfish and black drumFamily-friendly fishing with professional instruction and quality gearCovers productive waters from Golden Meadow to Grand Isle
Nothing beats a day on Louisiana's marshes with your family, and this 8-hour inshore charter from Golden Meadow to Grand Isle puts you right in the heart of some of the Gulf Coast's most productive fishing waters. Captain and crew at Fishtales Guide Service know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're excited to share their local knowledge with families looking to make lasting memories on the water. Whether you've got kids who've never held a rod or teenagers ready to land their first bull redfish, this top-rated charter adapts to every skill level while keeping everyone safe and engaged.
Your day starts early in South Louisiana's renowned marsh system, where brackish waters create perfect habitat for our target species. The captain provides all the essential gear – high-quality Daiwa rods and reels perfectly matched for jigging and popping techniques that work best in these shallow inshore waters. Live bait comes professionally prepared and ready to go, though if you're into fly fishing, feel free to bring your own setup for a more personalized experience. The boat accommodates up to four anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. Your guide will position the boat based on tide, wind, and seasonal patterns, moving between productive spots throughout the day to keep the action steady. Expect to work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper cuts and channels, adapting your approach as conditions change.
Inshore fishing in South Louisiana is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Your captain will have you working live shrimp under popping corks in shallow water, letting the current carry your bait naturally while that cork creates just enough disturbance to draw attention. When fish are aggressive, switching to artificial lures like soft plastics on jig heads or topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes. The Daiwa gear provided handles everything from delicate presentations to fighting bigger fish that want to run into the grass. Jigging works especially well around structure like old pilings or oyster reefs, where redfish and black drum like to hang out. Your guide will teach proper hook-setting techniques, how to play fish without losing them, and the best ways to handle different species safely. Kids especially love learning to work a popping cork – there's something magical about watching that cork disappear when a fish takes the bait.
Southern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes in Louisiana waters, with fish over 20 inches providing excellent table fare. Fall months typically produce the best flounder action as they move toward deeper water for spawning. What makes catching flounder so satisfying is the initial hit – they engulf the bait completely, then make a strong run before settling into a bulldogging fight. Kids get a kick out of seeing these "pancake fish" and learning how their eyes migrate to one side of their head as they mature.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of the marsh, with fish ranging from small "puppy drum" perfect for kids to massive bulls that can exceed 40 pounds. These fish use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, making them excellent fighters once hooked. Spring and fall offer the most consistent black drum fishing, though they're present year-round. The bigger fish provide an incredible fight, using their broad sides to leverage against the angler. Smaller black drum make excellent eating, while the larger breeding fish are typically released to maintain the fishery. Their distinctive drumming sound, created by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder, often gives away their location.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are arguably Louisiana's most popular inshore species. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern prefer grass flats and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and occasional "gator trout" exceeding 25 inches. Speckled trout have relatively soft mouths, making them fun on light tackle but requiring careful handling. They respond well to both live bait and artificial lures, with topwater action at dawn and dusk being particularly exciting. Their willingness to bite and excellent eating qualities make them a customer favorite for family trips.
Redfish are Louisiana's signature species and the reason many anglers fall in love with inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails are available year-round and fight like fish twice their size. Slot-sized reds (16-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized "bull reds" over 27 inches provide world-class sport fishing. Redfish are incredibly adaptable, feeding in water so shallow their backs show above the surface or holding in deeper channels. They'll eat live bait, soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. The sight of a red's tail waving above the water as it feeds head-down in shallow grass is something every angler remembers forever.
This family inshore fishing charter offers the perfect blend of action, education, and memory-making that keeps customers coming back season after season. With professional instruction, quality gear, and access to some of Louisiana's most productive fishing waters, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The 8-hour trip length gives you plenty of time to try different techniques, explore multiple fishing spots, and ensure everyone in the family gets their chance to land fish. Captain and crew at Fishtales Guide Service take pride in creating positive experiences for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing or want to target that trophy redfish you've been dreaming about, this charter delivers. Book your family's next fishing adventure and discover why South Louisiana's inshore waters are considered among the best in the Gulf Coast.
Meet The Blue Wave, your fishing platform for exploring Louisiana's productive inshore waters between Golden Meadow and Grand Isle. This 2021 Bay boat packs a serious 400HP Mercury engine that'll get your family to the fish fast, cruising comfortably at 55 knots across the marsh flats and nearshore grounds where redfish and black drum feed. Built for serious angling, she's loaded with the tools that make the difference between looking for fish and actually catching them. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat silently over schools without spooking your targets, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots and the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Whether you're working live bait along oyster reefs or letting the kids try their hand at jigging, The Blue Wave handles Louisiana's shallow waters and changing conditions with ease. With room for four anglers, there's plenty of space for the whole family to fish without getting tangled up, and enough deck space for everyone to land their personal best redfish or drum.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and families get a real kick out of the surprise when they hook into one. These powerful fish cruise our oyster reefs and muddy flats using their crusher teeth to demolish crabs and shellfish. Most run 10-20 pounds, but 30-pounders show up regularly. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. They fight like freight trains, making long runs that test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Bigger fish get tough and stringy, so we usually release those giants. Pro tip: fresh blue crab is hard to beat for bait. Pin it through the back corner of the shell and fish it right on bottom near oyster bars. Patience pays off with these fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Louisiana inshore fishing, and once you hook one, you'll understand why. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots patrol our shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in water so skinny their backs sometimes show. Most slot fish run 20-27 inches, but we also target bull reds that can push 40 inches and really test your tackle. They're active year-round but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and making sight-casting shots - it's like hunting with a fishing rod. The meat on slot-sized fish is firm and sweet. My favorite technique: cast a gold spoon past a cruising fish and retrieve it right in front of their nose. They rarely refuse that presentation.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and there's good reason families keep coming back for them. These silver beauties with black spots love our grass flats and shallow bayous, typically running 14-20 inches with some pushing 24 inches. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they put up a scrappy fight with some nice jumps. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Early morning and late evening are prime times when they feed aggressively in 2-4 feet of water. My go-to trick: cast a live shrimp under a popping cork near grass edges and let it drift with the current. When that cork disappears, set the hook quick.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. You'll find them throughout our shallow bays, estuaries, and marsh edges where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches, but we regularly see them up to 25 inches. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our area heading to spawn offshore. Families love targeting them because they're easier to catch than most species - just drift over likely bottom and wait for that telltale thump. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare. My tip: use a light jighead with live shrimp and barely hop it along the bottom. When you feel weight, don't set the hook hard - they need a second to fully grab the bait.
South Louisiana