Full Day Advanced Fishing in Slidell Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday advanced inshore fishing targeting redfish and speckled troutExplores Lake Pontchartrain and Biloxi Marsh with local expertiseAccommodates two experienced anglers with professional gear provided
Captain Frank's full-day advanced fishing charter isn't for weekend warriors looking to wet a line. This is serious Louisiana inshore fishing designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills to the next level. You'll spend eight solid hours working the productive waters around Slidell, hitting prime spots in Lake Pontchartrain and the legendary Biloxi Marsh system. With only two anglers max, you get personalized attention and access to techniques that separate the pros from the casual crowd. This trip delivers the kind of nonstop action that keeps experienced fishermen coming back season after season.
Your day starts early when Captain Frank fires up the engines and heads toward the day's hottest bite. The beauty of Slidell's location is having multiple fisheries within striking distance – one day you might be working grass flats in Lake Pontchartrain, the next you're picking apart oyster reefs in Biloxi Marsh. Frank reads conditions like a book and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Wind direction, tide movement, water temperature, and recent weather all factor into where you'll be casting. The boat comes rigged with top-shelf tackle, but experienced anglers often bring their favorite rods to match specific techniques. You'll cover serious water throughout the day, moving between productive zones as bite windows open and close. This isn't a sit-and-wait approach – you're constantly adapting, refining presentations, and staying ahead of the fish.
This charter focuses on the technical side of inshore fishing that separates good days from great ones. You'll work with live bait under popping corks, master the art of sight fishing with soft plastics, and learn when to switch between spoons, jigs, and topwater plugs. Captain Frank shares local secrets like reading water color changes, identifying structure that holds fish, and timing your casts to moving schools. The marsh system requires precision – knowing how to work a jig through submerged grass, bouncing baits off oyster shell, and presenting lures in skinny water without spooking fish. You'll practice advanced techniques like using the wind to your advantage, working tide lines effectively, and adjusting retrieve speeds based on water temperature. The gear setup changes throughout the day as you target different species and adapt to varying conditions, giving experienced anglers plenty of opportunities to expand their tactical knowledge.
Redfish are the backbone of Louisiana inshore fishing, and Slidell waters produce some monsters. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 40-plus pounds. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action as schools move through the marsh feeding heavily. Redfish are aggressive feeders that slam spoons, crush topwater plugs, and inhale live shrimp presentations. What makes them special is their fight – powerful runs, head-shaking fury, and the stamina to test your drag system. Speckled trout bring finesse to the equation, requiring lighter tackle and more precise presentations. These spotted beauties average 15-18 inches but trophy specimens over 25 inches lurk in deeper holes and along structure. Cold fronts often trigger spectacular trout bites as fish stack up in predictable locations. Sheepshead are the technical challenge every serious angler respects – their crushing bite and incredible wariness around structure make them a true test of skill. These convict-striped fighters average 12-15 inches but can reach impressive sizes around heavy cover. Black drum offer raw power, especially the big bulls that patrol deeper waters and oyster reefs. Summer flounder round out the slam, providing excellent table fare and acrobatic fights on light tackle. These flatfish are ambush predators that require precise bait placement and quick hook sets when they strike.
Captain Frank's advanced full-day trips book up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when experienced anglers plan their Louisiana adventures. This isn't a beginner's charter – it's designed for serious fishermen who want to maximize their time on productive waters with a guide who knows every oyster reef, grass flat, and structure piece in the area. You'll walk away with refined techniques, local knowledge, and the satisfaction of fishing waters that consistently produce quality catches. The small group size ensures you get individual attention and plenty of opportunities to work on specific skills. Whether you're looking to add Louisiana species to your list or simply want to fish with someone who lives and breathes these waters, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing dates fill up quickly, and you don't want to miss your chance at some of the most productive inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Your fishing platform is a 2016 Sea Fox 22' center console bay boat, built specifically for serious inshore action in Louisiana waters. The 200HP Yamaha pushes this rig up to 40 knots, getting you quickly to productive fishing spots across Lake Pontchartrain and the Biloxi Marsh. The wireless trolling motor lets you work structure silently when targeting spooky redfish and trout. An onboard fish finder helps locate schools and bottom structure, while GPS keeps you on productive waypoints. The icebox handles your catch and cold drinks during long days on the water. With room for 6 anglers total, this center console design gives everyone space to fish comfortably while Captain Frank navigates the best inshore honey holes around Slidell.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our Louisiana marshes, typically running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, barrel-shaped fish love oyster beds and muddy flats around Lake Pontchartrain and the marsh systems. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special is that crushing power when they hit your bait. They're bottom feeders with jaws like vice grips, perfect for crushing crabs and oysters. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: use fresh blue crab and get your bait right on the bottom near structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't hesitate - set the hook hard because they'll crush it and spit it out fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, typically running 20-35 inches with that distinctive copper-red color and black spot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges throughout Lake Pontchartrain and Biloxi Marsh. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What guests love is that explosive topwater strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The black spot acts like a fake eye to confuse predators - pretty clever fish. My go-to technique is working topwater plugs over shallow flats early morning or late evening. Look for nervous water or tailing fish, then make long casts and work your lure slowly. They'll crush just about anything when they're feeding.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted silver sides. These fish love grass flats and shallow waters, especially around Lake Pontchartrain and the marsh areas where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions - early morning and late evening are prime time. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and steady fight, plus they're outstanding table fare with tender, flaky white meat. Just don't overcook them or they get mushy. The trick is working the grass flats at night or trolling slowly along the edges during the day. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp all work great. Focus on areas with good current flow where baitfish concentrate - that's where you'll find the specks waiting.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, typically running 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. These fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles - pretty fascinating to see up close. Early spring is prime time when they gather in big schools for spawning around February through April. Guests love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with subtle bites, but once hooked, they put up a solid scrap. The payoff is some of the sweetest, flakiest white meat you'll find. My best advice: get your bait tight to the structure and set the hook aggressively the moment you feel them nibbling. Fresh fiddler crab or shrimp works best, and don't be afraid to scrape some barnacles off the pilings to get them fired up.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise in our Louisiana waters, typically running 15-20 inches and blending perfectly with sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie in wait on the seafloor with both eyes on one side of their head - pretty wild to see. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and easier to locate. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and that solid fight once hooked. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom where they're waiting. I always tell folks to hook smaller baitfish through the eye and use a good sinker to stay in the strike zone. Be patient with the bite - they can be finicky.
Slidell, LA