Full Day Beginner-Friendly Fishing In Slidell
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting redfish and speckled troutBeginnerfriendly trip with all gear and guidance providedLake Pontchartrain and marsh waters from Slidell marina
When you're ready to experience Louisiana's legendary inshore fishing without the intimidation factor, Captain Frank's full-day trip from The Pointe Marina is exactly what you need. This isn't just another fishing charter – it's your gateway to understanding why anglers from across the country flock to these waters. You'll spend the day cruising Lake Pontchartrain and the surrounding marshes, learning the ropes while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized species. With only two anglers on board, you get personalized attention that transforms first-timers into confident fishermen by day's end.
Your adventure begins at The Pointe Marina in Slidell, where Captain Frank will walk you through the day's game plan over coffee. The beauty of this trip lies in its flexibility – depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself working the grass flats of Lake Pontchartrain or navigating the intricate maze of Louisiana's coastal marshes. These waters hold secrets that only locals understand, from knowing which oyster bars hold winter Sheepshead to reading the subtle color changes that signal a school of Redfish moving through. The small group size means you're not competing for rod time or the captain's attention. Every cast becomes a learning opportunity, whether you're perfecting your retrieve or understanding how tide movements affect fish behavior. Captain Frank provides all the tackle, from light spinning gear for Trout to heavier setups when big Redfish are on the menu.
Louisiana inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll learn the art of sight fishing in shallow water, where Redfish reveal themselves through nervous water or the flash of copper-bronze backs. Captain Frank will teach you to work live bait under popping corks, a deadly technique for Speckled Trout that requires patience and finesse. When targeting Sheepshead around structure, you'll discover why these "convict fish" are considered some of the craftiest opponents in inshore waters – their light bite requires concentration and quick reflexes. The gear stays simple but effective: medium-action spinning rods paired with reels that can handle Louisiana's coastal environment. Live shrimp, croakers, and artificial lures make up the arsenal, with Captain Frank selecting the right combination based on current conditions and target species. You'll also pick up essential skills like reading your fish finder, understanding how barometric pressure affects feeding patterns, and recognizing the subtle signs that separate productive water from empty real estate.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with the occasional oversized bull pushing the drag to its limits. What makes Redfish special is their predictable yet exciting behavior – they feed aggressively in shallow water, often giving away their location through splashing and nervous water. Fall through early spring offers prime opportunities, when cooler temperatures push them into the marshes and they feed heavily before winter. The fight is pure power, with none of the aerial acrobatics of other species, just sustained runs that test both your drag setting and arm strength.
Speckled Trout, or Sea Trout as locals call them, provide the perfect balance of challenge and reward. These spotted beauties average 14 to 18 inches but can surprise you with specimens pushing 20 inches or more. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and areas where fresh and salt water mix. Spring and fall are peak seasons, though summer nights can produce fantastic action. What anglers love about Trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for honing different techniques. Their soft mouths require a gentle touch – too aggressive and you'll pull the hook, too soft and they'll spit it before you know they're there.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from the black stripes running down their silver sides, but it's their reputation as tackle thieves that really defines them. These master bait stealers congregate around any hard structure – docks, pilings, jetties, and oyster beds. They typically run 12 to 16 inches, though Louisiana waters produce some hefty specimens exceeding 20 inches. Winter months are prime time when they move inshore to spawn. The challenge lies in detecting their subtle bite – they're notorious for mouthing bait without moving the rod tip. Success requires fresh bait, sharp hooks, and lightning-fast reflexes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they more than make up for it in raw power. These bottom-dwellers can range from schoolie-sized fish around 14 inches to massive bulls exceeding 30 inches and 20 pounds. They're year-round residents in Louisiana waters, though spring brings the best action when they move shallow to spawn. Black Drum are vacuum feeders, using their downturned mouths to suck up crabs, worms, and mollusks from the bottom. When a big one takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they pull like freight trains and use their broad sides to fight every inch of the way to the boat.
Summer Flounder, known locally as Fluke, are the shape-shifters of the inshore world. These masters of camouflage lie buried in sandy bottoms, waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. Louisiana Flounder typically range from 14 to 18 inches, with the occasional doormat exceeding 20 inches. Late summer through fall provides peak action as they fatten up before moving to deeper winter haunts. What makes Flounder fishing exciting is the element of surprise – you're fishing along thinking about other species when suddenly your rod loads up with a bulldogging fight. They're ambush predators that require movement to trigger strikes, making them perfect targets for learning retrieve techniques an
This reliable 22' Sea Fox bay boat is your ticket to Louisiana's best inshore fishing spots around Slidell. With a powerful 200HP Yamaha engine, you'll cruise smoothly across Lake Pontchartrain and into the marshes at speeds up to 40 knots. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action while the wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently into those shallow redfish hangouts. An onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of speckled trout, while the GPS keeps you on track to the hottest fishing holes. The built-in icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the day. Captain Frank knows these waters like the back of his hand and provides all the tackle and guidance you need, whether you're a complete beginner or just want to learn new techniques for targeting sheepshead and other local species.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavy hitters of Louisiana's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, barrel-shaped fish love oyster beds and muddy bottoms around Lake Pontchartrain, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and those unique drumming sounds they make underwater. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent table fare with flaky white meat. My go-to trick? Use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom - they're notorious for barely ticking your line before taking off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature fish with their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches in our shallow marshes and flats, sometimes in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their powerful runs and that telltale "thump" when they hit your lure. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. These fish will eat just about anything, but my favorite approach is throwing topwater plugs early morning over shallow grass flats. The explosions are something else. Pro tip: keep your boat in deeper water and cast toward the shallows - redfish spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish here in Louisiana, averaging 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. They cruise grass flats and shallow marshes, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with dawn and dusk being prime time. Guests love their spirited fight and those acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're also top-notch table fare with tender, flaky white meat - just don't overcook them. The magic happens fishing grass beds in 2-4 feet of water using live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics. My local tip: when you find one trout, slow down and work that area thoroughly since they typically school up in good numbers.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our area with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. They typically run 1-8 pounds around dock pilings, bridges, and oyster beds where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Early spring brings the best fishing when they move shallow to spawn. What makes them a blast to target is their finicky nature - they're notorious bait thieves that'll test your patience. But land one and you've got some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, mild white meat. The secret is getting your bait right against structure using fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. Set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll strip your bait clean if you hesitate.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, typically running 15-20 inches but capable of reaching 26 pounds. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at landing one. What guests love is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and their excellent eating quality with sweet, flaky white meat. They put up a decent scrap once hooked too. The key to success is using live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook and letting your bait drift naturally along the bottom. Keep your drag light since their mouths are softer than most inshore species.
Slidell, LA