Full Day Redfish Hunt in Louisiana's Marsh
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Seven-hour private inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Guilbeau provides all equipment plus professional fish cleaning serviceSmall group capacity allows personalized attention in Louisiana marsh waters
Captain Guilbeau knows these Louisiana waters like the back of his hand, and this 7-hour private charter puts you right in the heart of some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer. We're talking about real marsh fishing here – the kind where you're working the grass lines, oyster beds, and shallow flats where big reds cruise and speckled trout stack up. This isn't a cattle boat operation; it's just you and one buddy with a seasoned guide who's been putting clients on fish in these bayous for years. You'll cover serious ground, hit multiple spots based on tide and season, and walk away with a cooler full of premium eating fish.
This full-day trip gives us the luxury of time – something you don't get on those rushed half-day runs. We'll start early and work the prime feeding windows, moving between productive areas as conditions change throughout the day. Captain Guilbeau runs a well-equipped boat that can handle the shallow marsh waters and get you into places where the big fish live. The extended timeframe means we can adapt to what's happening – if the reds are schooling up on one flat, we'll stay put and work them. If the bite slows, we've got time to relocate and find active fish. You're not watching the clock here; you're fishing until we've maximized your opportunities. All tackle, bait, and terminal gear comes with the trip, plus professional cleaning and bagging service so your catch goes home table-ready.
Lafitte's inshore waters demand specific approaches, and that's where Captain Guilbeau's local knowledge really pays off. We'll be working everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons, depending on what the fish are telling us. The marsh fishing here is all about reading water – finding those subtle depth changes, current breaks, and structure that hold fish. You'll learn to work oyster reefs without hanging up, sight-fish cruising reds in skinny water, and understand how tidal movement affects fish behavior throughout the day. The captain provides all the gear, but he'll also teach you the nuances of each technique so you're not just along for the ride. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or an experienced angler, you'll pick up local tricks that work specifically in these Louisiana marshes.
The redfish here are the real deal – bronze-backed bulldogs that'll test your drag and make you understand why Louisiana is famous for inshore fishing. These fish run from solid 20-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches, and they fight like freight trains in the shallow water. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, but you can catch quality reds year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special here is how they behave in the marsh – sometimes you'll find them tailing in inches of water, other times schooled up in deeper cuts. The speckled trout fishing complements the redfish perfectly, with these beautiful spotted gamefish providing consistent action and excellent table fare. Specs here average 14-16 inches with plenty of 20+ inch fish mixed in during cooler months. Black drum add another dimension to the fishing – these bottom-dwellers can reach impressive sizes and provide a different kind of fight entirely. Summer flounder become active during warmer months, lying in ambush around structure and drop-offs. The sheepshead fishing around oyster beds and pilings can be world-class when they're biting, with these black-and-white striped convict fish testing both your bait presentation skills and patience.
This full-day charter represents serious value for anglers who want to experience Louisiana marsh fishing the right way. You're getting personalized attention from an experienced local captain, quality equipment, and access to prime fishing locations that produce consistently. The 7-hour duration ensures you'll have multiple opportunities to connect with different species, learn effective techniques, and potentially boat a trip-defining fish. Captain Guilbeau's all-inclusive approach means you show up ready to fish – no gear shopping, no bait worries, no cleanup hassles. Just bring your fishing license, sun protection, and appetite for some of the best inshore action the Gulf Coast has to offer. These private trips book up, especially during prime seasons, so secure your dates early and get ready to see why Louisiana's coastal marshes have such a legendary reputation among serious inshore anglers.
Captain Guilbeau's 22' Blazer Bay center console is your ticket to Louisiana's premier redfish and speckled trout waters. This 2020 boat cuts through Lafitte's marshes with a reliable 175HP Suzuki, getting you to the hotspots fast and quiet. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on those shallow-water reds without spooking them, while the fish finder helps locate schools of specks hiding in the deeper cuts. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and GPS to navigate the maze of bayous, this rig is built for serious fishing. The center console design gives you plenty of casting room and easy access to your gear during those 7-hour adventures targeting drum, trout, and whatever else is biting in the Louisiana marsh.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavy hitters of our marsh - these grey-black bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds. They love oyster beds and muddy bottoms where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. You'll find them in brackish water around structure, from shallow flats to deeper channels. What makes them special? That bone-jarring initial run when hooked, plus smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My local tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait tight on the bottom - they're notorious bait thieves who'll clean your hook without you feeling it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species - copper-bronze beauties with that distinctive black eyespot near the tail. School-size fish run 16-27 inches and put up fantastic fights in shallow water. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active. What makes them special? That explosive topwater strike and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. They eat everything from shrimp to crabs to baitfish. My go-to trick: look for nervous water and baitfish activity - reds push shrimp to the surface when feeding, creating telltale slicks you can spot from a distance.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing - silvery sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most range 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Spring and fall are prime, but we catch them year-round by adjusting depth - shallow in warmer months, deeper channels in winter. What guests enjoy most is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent fight on light gear. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare too. They school up around structure and drop-offs. Here's my tip: work topwater plugs early morning over grass beds, and switch to soft plastics if they're finicky - the bite-to-miss ratio improves significantly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally see 20-pounders around the right structure. They're year-round residents but spring brings the best action when they spawn around docks, bridges, and oil rigs. What makes them fun to target? Those human-like teeth and their reputation as master bait thieves. They nibble before they bite, testing your patience. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the marsh - mild, sweet white meat. Look for them tight to barnacle-covered pilings where they feed. My local secret: use fiddler crab and set your hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait in a heartbeat if you hesitate.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise in our Louisiana waters - these flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms, both eyes on their left side watching for prey above. Most run 15-20 inches, but we regularly see them pushing 4-5 pounds. September through November is when they're most active and easier to catch. They ambush everything from shrimp to small fish, making them fun fighters once hooked. What guests love is their unique appearance and excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. You'll find them in deeper channels and around structure where current brings food. Here's my trick: hook your bait through the lips and fish it slow along the bottom - flounder will follow before they strike, so patience pays off.
Lafitte