Lake Charles Inshore Fishing with High Tide Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing charter with Captain AndrewTarget Redfish, Trout, Cobia, and Tripletail in Lake CharlesMaximum three guests with live bait available for $10
Captain Andrew knows Lake Charles waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in just four hours. This afternoon fishing trip packs all the action of a full-day charter into a compact, results-driven adventure perfect for busy schedules. You'll be targeting some of Louisiana's most sought-after inshore species while working the productive marshes and shorelines that make Lake Charles a top-rated fishing destination. With space for just three anglers, you get personalized attention and prime spots at the rail. Live bait runs about $10 per person at the marina, but trust me – it's worth every penny when you're watching a bull red hammer your hookset.
Captain Andrew runs a tight ship focused on putting fish in the boat. Your four-hour window starts strong with a quick run to his honey holes, where structure and current create the perfect storm for hungry gamefish. The afternoon bite can be absolutely lights-out, especially when the tide is moving and baitfish are getting pushed around. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped inshore boat designed for Louisiana's shallow waters, with all rods, reels, and tackle provided. The captain adjusts tactics based on conditions – some days it's sight fishing in skinny water, other days you're working deeper channels and cuts. Weather plays a huge role here, and Captain Andrew reads it better than most. Expect to move around and cover water until you find active fish, because that's how you separate good trips from great ones.
Lake Charles inshore fishing is all about versatility and reading the water. You'll likely start with live bait under popping corks, letting shrimp or croaker do their thing in prime feeding zones. When fish are schooled up and aggressive, Captain Andrew switches to artificials – soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that trigger reaction strikes. Sight fishing is huge here when conditions allow, especially for cruising reds in the shallows. The captain positions the boat to give everyone clean casting lanes while working structure like oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass lines where predators ambush prey. Tide movement is everything – you'll learn to fish the current breaks and eddies where gamefish concentrate. Don't worry if you're new to inshore tactics; Captain Andrew breaks it down and keeps things simple while maximizing your time on productive water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Lake Charles inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size keepers to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around structure, and their powerful runs make for memorable battles. What makes them special here is their year-round presence and willingness to eat both live and artificial baits.
Sea Trout provide consistent action and excellent table fare, with Lake Charles producing some hefty speckled trout that surprise visiting anglers. These fish are structure-oriented and respond well to soft plastics worked slowly along grass lines and drop-offs. Fall and winter months can be phenomenal for bigger trout, with fish pushing 20-plus inches. They're fun on light tackle and great for anglers wanting to put a mixed bag together.
Black Drum offer serious pulling power, especially the larger specimens that frequent Lake Charles waters. These fish are bottom-oriented and love crabs, making them a reliable target when other species are finicky. Spring brings schools of smaller drum perfect for action fishing, while summer and fall produce the larger fish that really bend rods. Their fighting style is all about bulldogging power rather than flashy jumps.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying in wait along channel edges and structure before crushing unsuspecting baits. Lake Charles produces quality flatfish, especially during their fall migration when they're feeding heavily before heading to deeper water. These fish require patience and proper presentation, but their aggressive strikes and excellent eating quality make them a customer favorite. Live bait fished along the bottom is typically your best bet.
Tripletail are the wildcard species that can make any trip special. These unique fish hang around floating structure and debris, often in plain sight but surprisingly spooky. When you find them, they're incredible fighters with acrobatic jumps and powerful runs. Captain Andrew knows the spots where tripletail congregate, and landing one of these beautiful fish is always a highlight. They're not always cooperative, but that's what makes them so rewarding when everything comes together.
High Tide Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers want – productive fishing time with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. Captain Andrew's four-hour format eliminates the downtime while keeping all the action, making it perfect for visitors with limited time or locals looking to get their fishing fix without burning a whole day. The small group size means personalized instruction and prime fishing spots for everyone aboard. Lake Charles inshore fishing is world-class, and this trip gives you the best shot at experiencing it right. Don't forget to grab live bait at the marina – that $10 investment often makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Ready to see what Lake Charles has to offer? Captain Andrew is standing by to make it happen.
Get ready to fish Lake Charles waters aboard our 2017 25' Haynie Custom bay boat, built specifically for inshore action. This sweet ride packs a serious 350HP Mercury Verado that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 70 knots when conditions are right. What makes this boat perfect for chasing redfish and trout? The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Andrew position you silently over structure without spooking fish. Our GPS keeps you on productive spots, while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. This bay boat handles Lake Charles' shallow waters like a dream, getting you into those back marshes where the big reds hang out. The stable platform gives you solid footing whether you're sight casting or working soft plastics. Captain Andrew knows these waters inside and out, putting you on cobia, tripletail, and whatever else is biting during your four-hour afternoon trip.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with the occasional 40+ pounder that'll test your gear. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. They're bulldogs that make long, stubborn runs and don't give up easy. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat, but the big bulls are better released. Fresh blue crab is your best bet - cut it in half and fish it on the bottom with a fish finder rig. The key is using enough weight to stay put, because these fish won't chase a moving bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Lake Charles fishing, and what a fish they are. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots run 18-30 inches in our shallow waters, though we see some 35+ inch bulls that'll smoke your drag. They cruise 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges, often with their backs out of the water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. Reds are bulldogs - strong, stubborn fighters that make long runs and don't quit. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Look for nervous water, tailing fish, or birds working bait. Gold spoons and topwater plugs get explosive strikes, but live shrimp under a cork is hard to beat. Cast past them and work your bait into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our most popular inshore target, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches with plenty of 20+ inch fish mixed in during good years. They love grass flats, shallow shorelines, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. Trout are scrappy fighters that jump and make quick runs, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky meat. They're found in 2-6 feet of water around structure and grass beds. Cool weather concentrates them in deeper holes and channels. My go-to setup is a 1/4 oz jighead with a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork. Work it slow with gentle twitches - trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure without horsing them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that ambush prey from sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our Louisiana waters. These masters of camouflage change color to match their surroundings, making them nearly invisible until they strike. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches that really put up a fight. You'll find them in shallow bays, around structure, and near creek mouths where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore to spawn. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key - use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or mud minnows, and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook hard.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - these chunky, acrobatic fish float on their sides near the surface, mimicking floating debris or weeds. They average 2-5 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds, and despite their bulky appearance, they're surprisingly athletic jumpers. You'll spot them around weed lines, floating structure, and channel markers in 10-30 feet of water. Summer through early fall is peak season when they're most active near the surface. They're prized for their firm, white meat that tastes similar to snapper or grouper. The trick is sight-casting to visible fish - approach quietly and cast well past them, then work your bait into their zone. Live shrimp or small crabs work best. When you hook one, hang on because they'll jump repeatedly and fight way harder than their lazy floating behavior suggests.
Lake Charles, LA