Half Day Afternoon Fishing In Slidell, LA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon trip targeting redfish and speckled troutLight tackle fishing on Lake Pontchartrain inshore watersTwoguest capacity with Full Spectrum Fishing Charters guidance
There's something special about hitting the water when the afternoon sun starts casting that golden glow across Lake Pontchartrain. This 4-hour afternoon fishing trip with Full Spectrum Fishing Charters puts you right in the sweet spot – when the fish are active and the scenery is picture-perfect. You'll be targeting some of Louisiana's most sought-after inshore species like Speckled Trout and Redfish, plus a solid mix of Black Drum, Summer Flounder, and Sheepshead. With room for up to 2 anglers, this trip keeps things personal and focused, whether you're a seasoned local angler or visiting from out of town. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with light tackle fishing, you'll feel every bump and run these fish throw at you.
This afternoon departure gives you the best of both worlds – you can sleep in or handle morning business, then spend your evening doing what you love most. Lake Pontchartrain and the surrounding inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing in Southeast Louisiana, especially during those golden afternoon hours when baitfish start moving and predators follow. The water here ranges from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing Redfish to deeper structure where Speckled Trout like to hang out. You'll be fishing in water that's typically 2 to 8 feet deep, which means you can actually see a lot of the action happening below. The scenery alone is worth the trip – wide open water with the North Shore coastline stretching out, cypress trees dotting the shoreline, and pelicans diving all around you. This is Louisiana fishing at its finest, and the relaxed pace means you can actually enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
We're talking light tackle fishing here, which means you'll be using spinning gear that lets you feel every head shake and run. The captain will have you rigged up with everything from soft plastics to live bait, depending on what's working best that day. Popping cork rigs are a local favorite – you'll hear that distinctive "pop" as you work the cork, calling fish in from a distance. When the Speckled Trout are biting, nothing beats a shrimp under a cork drifted over grass beds. For Redfish, we might switch to weedless jigs or spoons that you can work through shallow water without hanging up on vegetation. The beauty of light tackle is that a 20-inch Redfish feels like a monster, and even smaller Trout put up a respectable fight. You'll be casting to visible structure, working drop-offs, and sometimes sight fishing when conditions are right. The captain will handle the boat positioning and give you tips on presentation – your job is to enjoy the action and keep your drag set properly.
Speckled Trout are the bread and butter of this fishery, and they're active year-round in these waters. These silver beauties typically run 12 to 18 inches, with occasional keeper-sized fish pushing 20 inches or better. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around oyster reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs. Fall and spring are prime time, but even winter afternoons can produce steady action when you find warmer water. What makes Speckled Trout so popular is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare – they're one of Louisiana's most prized eating fish.
Redfish are the other star of the show, and these copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. In these waters, you'll typically encounter fish ranging from 16 to 30 inches, with the occasional bull Redfish mixed in for excitement. They're aggressive feeders that will absolutely crush a well-presented bait, and their runs will test your drag system. Redfish are year-round residents here, but fall brings some of the best action when they school up in preparation for their offshore spawning runs. The sight of a Redfish's copper back and distinctive black spot in shallow water will get your heart pumping every time.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the water, but they're absolute tackle-busters that will surprise you with their strength. These bottom-dwellers can range from a few pounds to legitimate monsters pushing 20 pounds or more. They're primarily bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and worms, and once hooked, they'll use every ounce of their body weight to try and break you off on structure. The smaller "puppy drum" are excellent eating, while the bigger fish provide unforgettable fights before being released to fight another day.
Summer Flounder add a fun element to the mix, especially during warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush predators that will absolutely hammer a bait when they decide to feed. Most Flounder here run 12 to 18 inches, though larger "doormat" fish are always a possibility. They're excellent table fare and provide a nice change of pace from the more common Trout and Redfish.
Sheepshead round out the target species list and are often overlooked by anglers who don't appreciate their fighting ability and eating quality. These convict-striped fish are structure lovers with powerful jaws designed for crushing barnacles and crabs. They're notoriously light biters that will test your hook-setting reflexes, but once connected, they'll pull surprisingly hard for their size. Sheepshead are most active during cooler months and around structure like pilings, reefs, and bridge supports.
This afternoon fishing trip offers the perfect balance of relaxation and action that keeps anglers coming back. You're getting 4 solid hours on some of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters, expert guidance from a local captain who knows where the
Your afternoon fishing adventure takes place aboard a reliable 22-foot 2016 Sea Fox bay boat, perfectly suited for exploring Lake Pontchartrain's productive inshore waters. Powered by a smooth 200HP Yamaha engine that cruises up to 40 knots, this center console boat gets you to the fishing spots quickly and comfortably. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position quietly over structure where redfish and speckled trout like to hang out, while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom features that hold fish. GPS navigation ensures you hit all the productive spots during your 4-hour trip. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves your catch for the ride home. With room for up to 6 anglers, this well-equipped bay boat handles everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges where the best action happens.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love cruising shallow muddy flats and oyster beds around Lake Pontchartrain, using their crushing jaws to feast on crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is their surprising fight - they're bulldogs that'll test your drag system. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and keep it pinned right on the bottom - they won't chase anything that's drifting around in the current.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. They typically run 20-35 inches and absolutely love the shallow marshes, oyster beds, and grass flats around here. These fish are year-round targets, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding in skinny water. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat just about anything - from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Plus, they're excellent eating when kept within slot limits. The real thrill is sight-fishing to tailing reds in 2 feet of water or less. My go-to setup is a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp on a light jig head. Cast past them and work it slowly back - they can't resist.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted flanks. These schooling fish cruise grass flats and shallow channels, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They bite year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. Guests love them because they're aggressive strikers that'll hit topwater plugs and soft plastics, plus they're fantastic table fare with tender, flaky white meat. Night fishing under lights can be phenomenal when they school up to feed. Here's what works: fish the edges of grass beds with a popping cork and live shrimp, or throw a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head. Keep it moving with subtle twitches - they like a wounded baitfish action.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters, sporting black and white stripes and human-like teeth that'll make you do a double-take. These 1-8 pound structure huggers live around docks, pilings, and bridges where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Spring is peak season when they gather in big schools, but you can catch them year-round near any hard structure. What draws folks to them is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, plus they make some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, white meat. The key is getting your bait tight to the structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Use fiddler crabs on a small circle hook, and don't be afraid to scrape some barnacles off the pilings to get them fired up.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey that swims overhead. They typically run 15-20 inches, but the big females can push 26 pounds and really bend the rod. You'll find them on structure-free bottoms in 10-30 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channels. Fall fishing from September through November is when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. Guests love the challenge of detecting their subtle bites and the reward of sweet, white fillets that rival any restaurant fish. Here's the trick: use a slow retrieve with live minnows or strip baits, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait.
Slidell, LA