Louisiana Fishing Charters | 8 Hour Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore charter targets redfish, trout, cobia, and tripletailEight-hour fishing trip accommodates up to three guests maximumLive bait available separately at marina for ten dollars per person
Get ready for a serious day of fishing in Louisiana's legendary inshore waters with High Tide Charters. This top-rated 8-hour charter puts you right in the heart of some of the Gulf Coast's most productive fishing grounds, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up in the grass flats. We're talking about a full day on the water – sunrise to late afternoon – giving you maximum time to work the spots where Louisiana's finest game fish call home. With space for up to three anglers, this isn't some crowded party boat experience. You'll get personalized attention and the chance to really dial in your technique while targeting multiple species that make Louisiana fishing world-class.
Your day kicks off early, meeting at the dock before sunrise to make the most of prime fishing hours. Louisiana's inshore waters offer an incredible variety of structure and habitat – from oyster reefs and grass flats to deeper channels and marsh edges. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is we can hit multiple spots throughout the day, adjusting our strategy based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. Early morning often finds us working the shallows for redfish, then moving to deeper grass beds as the sun climbs higher. The afternoon bite can be fantastic, especially when targeting tripletail around structure or working channels for black drum. Don't forget your Louisiana fishing license – it's required and the marina doesn't sell them. Live bait runs about $10 per person at the marina, and trust me, it's worth every penny when these fish are being picky.
We'll have you rigged up with medium-action spinning tackle perfect for Louisiana inshore fishing – sensitive enough to feel that subtle trout bite but with enough backbone to turn a bull redfish away from structure. Depending on conditions and target species, we'll be throwing everything from soft plastics under popping corks to gold spoons in the grass. Topwater action can be absolutely electric during the right conditions, especially early morning redfish sessions. For black drum, we'll drop down to bottom rigs with fresh cut bait around structure. The key to successful Louisiana inshore fishing is reading the water and adapting your presentation. Shallow running spoons work magic in the grass, while suspending baits excel around oyster reefs where trout like to ambush prey. We'll teach you how to work each lure properly and recognize the subtle differences between species when they hit.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in our waters and fight like freight trains. Fall and spring offer the best action, but Louisiana's year-round fishery means you've got shots at quality reds any time. They love shallow water early and late in the day, cruising oyster reefs and grass flats looking for crabs and baitfish. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – a properly presented gold spoon or topwater plug can trigger explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are arguably Louisiana's most popular inshore species. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches with occasional 20+ inch gator trout mixed in. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster reefs, and channel edges. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some monster trout for anglers willing to slow down their presentation. Specks are notorious for their soft mouths, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key to landing consistently.
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage and ambush predation, lying buried in sandy bottoms near structure waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish average 15-20 inches and provide excellent table fare. Fall migration periods can be outstanding, with fish staging near passes and channels. They require a completely different approach – slow presentations along the bottom with soft plastics or live bait work best.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of Louisiana inshore fishing. These bottom-dwellers can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 inches common around oyster reefs and bridges. They're primarily bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shrimp, making cut bait presentations deadly effective. Spring spawning runs can produce spectacular fishing when large schools move into shallow water.
Tripletail are among Louisiana's most unique inshore species, known for floating near structure and debris like living pieces of driftwood. These disc-shaped fighters average 15-25 inches and are prized for their acrobatic fights and excellent eating quality. Summer months offer the best tripletail action around crab traps, channel markers, and floating debris. They require sight fishing skills and precise presentations, making each hookup feel like a real accomplishment.
This customer favorite 8-hour charter gives you the complete Louisiana inshore fishing experience – multiple species, varied techniques, and enough time on the water to really get dialed in. High Tide Charters has built a reputation for putting anglers on fish while teaching the skills that make Louisiana fishing so addictive. Whether you're after your first redfish or looking to add tripletail to your species list, this renowned charter service delivers the goods. The 3-angler limit ensures personalized instruction and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Book now and discover why Louisiana's inshore waters are considered among the best fishing destinations on the Gulf Coast.
Your Louisiana inshore fishing adventure takes place aboard our 2017 Haynie Custom 25-footer, a purpose-built bay boat that's perfectly suited for chasing redfish and trout in shallow waters. This sleek fishing machine is powered by a 350HP Mercury Verado that'll get you to the hot spots fast, cruising at speeds up to 70 knots when conditions allow. The boat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Our setup includes a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches to spooky fish, plus GPS and fish finder technology to locate structure and schools. The shallow draft design lets us access those back-country honey holes where the big reds like to feed. Whether we're working oyster reefs, grass flats, or marsh edges, this Haynie handles Louisiana's varied inshore waters with ease, keeping you dry and comfortable during your 8-hour fishing day.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. They get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning season. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow mudflats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to target than scattered summer fish. Guests love the challenge of fighting these bulldogs, plus smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom works best. Here's the key: use crab instead of shrimp - it won't get picked off by catfish and other bait stealers before the drum find it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches in our shallow waters, feeding in 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round residents but fish best during warmer months when they're more active in the shallows. Guests love them because they pull hard, often making long runs, and they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky - they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and topwater plugs. The real thrill comes from sight-casting to fish you can actually see tailing in shallow water. Pro tip: when you spot one feeding with its tail up, cast well past it and work your bait back slowly - spook them and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaAlso called Speckled Trout, these beautiful fish average 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They're not actually trout but members of the drum family. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed actively on shrimp and small baitfish. They bite best during cooler months from fall through early spring, and many guests enjoy night fishing for them under lights. The fight is solid with some nice head-shaking action, plus they're outstanding table fare with tender, flaky meat. Soft plastics and topwater plugs work great, but live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat. Pro tip: don't horse them in - their mouths are soft and hooks pull out easily, so keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators that feed on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and around structures during warmer months, but they head offshore when it gets cold. Guests love them because they fight hard and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Best technique is drift fishing with live shrimp or mullet on a Carolina rig. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook - they're notorious bait stealers.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique targets - odd-looking fish with rounded fins that make them appear to have three tails. They average 2-13 pounds and grow up to 3 feet long. These fish are masters of disguise, often floating on their sides near debris, weed lines, or channel markers to mimic floating objects. Summer through early fall is prime time when they migrate through our waters. Guests get excited about them because they're surprisingly acrobatic fighters and taste similar to snapper or grouper with firm, sweet meat. They're surface feeders, making them perfect for sight-casting with live shrimp or small jigs. The trick is being stealthy - cast well away from the fish and work your bait slowly toward them. They spook easily, so one bad cast usually ends the show.
Lake Charles, LA