Full-Day Inshore Fishing Charter in Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targeting redfish and black drumProfessional Daiwa gear and live bait provided onboardExpert captain guides all skill levels safely
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of Louisiana's best inshore species? This 8-hour charter out of South Louisiana covers prime fishing grounds from Golden Meadow down to Grand Isle, putting you right in the heart of some of the most productive inshore waters along the Gulf Coast. Whether you're a weekend warrior or picking up a rod for the first time, Captain and crew at Fishtales Guide Service know how to put you on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. You'll be targeting black drum, redfish, sea trout, and southern flounder using proven techniques that work in these waters year-round.
This isn't your typical cookie-cutter charter – it's designed around what's biting and where the fish are holding on any given day. You'll launch early and spend a full 8 hours working the marshes, grass flats, and nearshore structure that makes South Louisiana legendary among serious anglers. The boat accommodates up to 4 guests, so you're not fighting for elbow room or competing with a crowd for the captain's attention. From the moment you step aboard, you'll notice the attention to detail – quality Daiwa rods and reels set up for jigging and popping, fresh live bait prepped and ready, and tackle boxes stocked with proven local favorites. If you're into fly fishing, bring your own gear and the captain will put you on targets perfect for sight casting. The day flows naturally from spot to spot based on tides, weather, and fish activity, giving you the best shot at a mixed bag of quality inshore species.
The beauty of inshore fishing in Louisiana is the variety of presentations that work depending on conditions and target species. You'll spend time working soft plastics along drop-offs and channel edges where redfish and drum like to ambush bait. Popping corks over grass flats is deadly for sea trout, especially when the bite is finicky and fish want something with more action. Live bait fishing around structure and oyster reefs produces consistent action on multiple species, and the captain knows exactly where to position the boat for maximum effectiveness. The provided Daiwa gear is matched to the techniques – medium to medium-heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from 14-inch trout to 30-pound bull redfish without being overkill for the smaller stuff. All terminal tackle, weights, and hooks are included, along with a selection of proven artificial baits like Matrix Shad, Gulp, and Z-Man plastics that local fish see regularly and respond to. The live bait is prepared fresh and kept lively in quality aerated systems, because presentation matters when you're trying to fool pressured inshore fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 3-8 pounds in the marsh systems, with plenty of slot fish in the 18-27 inch range that make excellent table fare. They're aggressive feeders that hit both artificials and live bait hard, often making multiple runs that test your drag system. Peak action typically happens during moving tides when reds push up onto shallow flats to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is their willingness to eat – you can sight cast to tailing fish in 18 inches of water or work them deep along channel edges where they school up in cooler months.
Black drum don't get the press that redfish do, but they're absolute bruisers that will test your patience and tackle. These bottom-dwellers range from small 2-pounders to 20-pound bulls that look more like small sharks when you first see them. They're most active during spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate, and they school heavily around oyster reefs and shell beds where they feed on crabs and mollusks. The fight is different from redfish – more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle that happens close to structure. Fresh dead shrimp and blue crab are top baits, and the key is keeping your offering right on the bottom where drum feed naturally.
Sea trout are the most finicky of the bunch, but when they're on, they provide fast action and excellent eating. These silvery speedsters prefer grass flats and soft bottoms where they can ambush small baitfish and shrimp. Spring and early summer offer the best numbers, with fish averaging 12-16 inches and plenty of keeper-sized trout mixed in. They respond well to moving baits – popping corks with live shrimp underneath, soft plastics worked with a steady retrieve, and topwater plugs during early morning and evening periods. What makes trout fishing exciting is the aggressive strikes and the fact that where you catch one, there are usually more in the same area.
Southern flounder are the wildcards of inshore fishing – they're not always easy to find, but when you locate them, they provide excellent action and some of the best eating in the Gulf. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy and muddy bottoms, often around points, channel edges, and areas where current creates ambush spots. Fall is prime time when flounder move toward passes and deeper water, but quality fish are caught year-round in the right spots. They hit live bait like finger mullet and mud minnows, but also respond to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. The fight isn't spectacular, but the satisfaction of fooling these camouflaged predators and the excellent table fare more than make up for it.
This full-day charter gives you the time and variety that makes for memorable fishing trips – enough hours to hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and adjust to what the fish want on any given day. The captain's local knowledge combined with quality gear and fresh bait puts the odds in your favor, whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler or just enjoy a day on some of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters. With
The Blue Wave is your ticket to Louisiana's prime inshore fishing grounds, built in 2021 specifically for chasing redfish and black drum in these shallow coastal waters. This Bay boat packs a serious 400HP Mercury that'll get you from Golden Meadow to Grand Isle at 55 knots, covering more water to find where the fish are biting. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently into those skinny water spots where the big reds like to hang out, while the GPS keeps you on the productive areas and the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, whether you're a weekend warrior or just starting out with a rod. Your captain knows these Louisiana marshes inside and out, and with quality Daiwa gear and fresh live bait ready to go, you'll be rigged and fishing in no time. The boat's designed to handle everything from the protected marshes to the nearshore waters around Grand Isle, giving you access to the best fishing South Louisiana has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones make excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Keep them under 15 pounds for eating though - the big bulls get tough and stringy. My go-to trick is using fresh peeler crab on a Carolina rig. Crabs stay on the hook better than shrimp and the catfish won't steal your bait as much.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. They typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds in our shallow waters, though we catch some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges - sometimes in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall when they school up. What guests love most is their powerful fight and willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, crabs, spoons, or topwater plugs. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The secret is watching for their tails when they're feeding head-down in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, or sea trout as some call them, are silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots that typically run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds in our waters. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good structure where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Cool mornings and evenings are best, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. These fish are scrappy fighters with excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. They're great for beginners since they're aggressive and will hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. The trick is working grass flats early morning with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that spend their time camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms in our shallow bays and estuaries. They typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches and 5+ pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves and wait for shrimp, crabs, and baitfish to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is fishing slow with live shrimp or bull minnows on single-hook rigs, keeping your bait right on the bottom where they hunt.
South Louisiana