Afternoon Redfish and Speckled Trout Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Guilbeau provides gear, ice, water, and professional fish cleaningAfternoon departure accommodates all skill levels in Louisiana marshes
Not everyone wants to roll out of bed at dawn to chase fish, and that's perfectly fine by me. This 6-hour afternoon charter with Captain Guilbeau gives you the best of both worlds – sleeping in and still getting your hands on some serious Louisiana inshore action. We're talking prime time fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and whatever else is biting in the productive waters around Lafitte. This isn't some rushed half-day trip either. Six hours gives us plenty of time to work multiple spots, adjust our game plan, and make sure you're going home with a cooler full of fresh Gulf Coast fish.
Captain Guilbeau knows these Lafitte marshes like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish. We'll be working the shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds where redfish cruise looking for their next meal. The afternoon bite can be absolutely phenomenal, especially when the morning pressure from other boats has died down and the fish start moving again. You'll be fishing with top-quality gear that's perfectly suited for our local conditions – medium-action rods with smooth drags that can handle the pull of a bull red or the quick runs of a nice trout. Everything's included in your trip: ice to keep your catch fresh, bottled water to keep you hydrated, and all the tackle you'll need. Plus, we handle the fish cleaning and bagging at the end of the day, so you're walking away with restaurant-ready fillets.
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us. Popping corks with live shrimp are absolutely deadly on speckled trout, especially when we're working the grass beds. For redfish, we might switch it up with some cut bait on the bottom or throw some soft plastics along the shoreline structure. The beauty of having six hours is we can really dial in what's working. If the trout are being picky, we've got time to downsize our presentation or switch to a different color. If the reds are fired up and crushing topwater, we can ride that bite as long as it lasts. Captain Guilbeau's boat is set up perfectly for this kind of fishing – shallow draft to get into the back country where the big fish live, but stable enough that you'll feel comfortable making long casts and fighting fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag and your patience. In the Lafitte area, we see reds year-round, but they really turn on during the warmer months when they're feeding heavily in the shallows. A slot-size red (16-27 inches) is perfect eating, with firm white meat that's fantastic blackened or grilled. The bull reds – anything over 27 inches – are pure adrenaline. These fish will make multiple runs and really show you what your reel can do. We practice catch and release on the big breeders to keep the fishery strong.
Speckled trout are the other star of the show, and Louisiana produces some of the finest specs in the Gulf. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, holding around oyster beds, drop-offs, and grass lines. A good speckled trout will go 2-4 pounds, with the occasional gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds if you're lucky. They're amazing table fare – flaky, sweet meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic Louisiana fish fry. Specs can be moody, so having an experienced captain who knows their patterns is crucial. Captain Guilbeau understands how water temperature, tide, and time of day affect their feeding behavior.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute warriors on the end of your line. These fish love crab and shrimp, so we'll often find them in the same areas as redfish. A big drum can easily hit 20-30 pounds and will give you a fight that's more like arm wrestling than fishing. The smaller ones – puppy drum – are excellent eating and fight way above their weight class. Don't be surprised if a drum completely spools out your drag on the first run.
Summer flounder add some variety to the mix, especially around structure and drop-offs. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can provide some exciting action when they're feeding. They're also fantastic on the dinner plate. Sheepshead are the thieves of the marsh – these convict-striped bait stealers will test your hook-setting reflexes, but they're worth the effort for their excellent eating quality and the bragging rights that come with consistently catching these finicky fish.
This afternoon charter is perfect for anglers who want a quality fishing experience without the early morning rush. Captain Guilbeau's local knowledge combined with six full hours on the water gives you the best shot at a successful day. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish in the freezer or just want to experience what makes Louisiana inshore fishing so special, this trip delivers. The comprehensive service – gear, cleaning, bagging – means you can focus on what matters most: catching fish and having a great time on the water. With a maximum of just two anglers, you're getting a personalized experience that larger charter operations simply can't match. Book your afternoon adventure and see why Lafitte's marshes produce some of the Gulf Coast's finest inshore fishing.
This 2020 Blazer Bay 22' center console is built for serious Louisiana inshore fishing. With a reliable 175HP Suzuki pushing you across the marsh at up to 40 knots, you'll reach those productive redfish and speckled trout spots without wasting time. The boat's shallow draft design lets Captain Guilbeau navigate tight bayou channels where the fish hold. An onboard fish finder helps locate schools, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure. The spacious deck gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast and fight fish, plus there's an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those hot Louisiana afternoons. GPS keeps you on track through the maze of marshland, so you can focus on putting redfish and specks in the cooler.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marsh - these gray-black bruisers run 5-30 pounds but can hit 90. You'll find them around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What makes them special? That deep drumming sound they make and the serious fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with flaky white meat, but the big ones get tough. My tip: use fresh crab on the bottom - it stays on the hook better than shrimp and the catfish won't steal it. These fish live 50+ years, so respect the big ones.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana fishing - bronze beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. They typically run 20-40 inches in our waters, with the big bulls reaching 50+ pounds. These fish love super shallow water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines. They bite year-round, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight. Plus, the smaller ones are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Here's a local secret: when you see nervous water or tail-slapping, cast past the disturbance and work your lure back through it quietly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are Louisiana favorites with their spotted silver sides and delicate bite. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle fun. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they move up to feed. Cool fronts in fall and spring get them fired up, and they school heavily in deeper holes during winter cold snaps. What guests love most is their willingness to hit topwater lures and the sweet, flaky meat that's softer than most inshore fish. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp slowly across the grass - when you feel that subtle tap, count to two before setting the hook.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, but what really gets people talking are those human-like teeth. They run 1-8 pounds typically, though 20-pounders show up around oil rigs and bridge pilings. You'll find them tight to structure - docks, bridges, anywhere barnacles grow. Spring spawning season from February to April is when they school up and get aggressive. Guests love the challenge since they're notorious bait thieves who nibble before committing. The payoff is sweet, mild white meat that's hard to beat. Here's the key: get your bait right against the pilings and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait otherwise.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise - these flatfish change color to match the bottom perfectly. They average 15-20 inches but can reach 26 pounds. You'll catch them on sandy bottoms in 10-40 feet, especially around structure where they ambush prey. September through November is peak season when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. Guests love the challenge of detecting their subtle bites and the sweet, flaky meat that rivals any table fish. These fish hit live minnows, sea worms, and clams best. Pro tip: use a circle hook and let them run with the bait - they bite sideways and need time to get it positioned right in their mouth.
Lafitte