Trophy Redfish Fishing in St. Bernard Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour advanced inshore fishing trip targeting trophy redfishExpert captain provides all tackle and strategic location guidanceBackcountry waters offer black drum, sea trout, and flounder
When you're ready to step up your saltwater game and target some serious Louisiana inshore fish, Captain Jason's advanced half-day trip in St. Bernard delivers exactly what experienced anglers are after. This 6-hour pro-level charter takes you into the prime waters around Hopedale, where trophy redfish cruise alongside black drum, sea trout, sheepshead, and southern flounder. You'll work the backcountry marshes, productive inshore flats, and structure-rich reef areas that consistently produce big fish for those who know how to fish them right. Captain Jason provides all the premium tackle and local knowledge you need, but brings your A-game and a valid Louisiana fishing license because these fish don't give up easy.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – Captain Jason designs this charter specifically for anglers who already know their way around a rod and reel. You'll launch from the heart of St. Bernard Parish and head straight into some of Louisiana's most productive inshore fishing grounds. The Hopedale area offers an incredible mix of habitat types, from shallow grass flats where redfish tail in inches of water to deeper channels where black drum stack up around structure. Expect to cover serious ground as Captain Jason reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan throughout the day. The marsh here changes with every tide, and local knowledge makes all the difference between a good day and an outstanding one. You'll be sight fishing, working structure, and targeting specific areas based on tide, weather, and what the fish are doing that particular day.
Captain Jason employs proven advanced techniques that separate the pros from weekend warriors. Live shrimp under popping corks is a staple method here, especially when working grass flats and structure where redfish and sea trout ambush prey. The popping action draws fish from distance while the live shrimp seals the deal. Dead shrimp presentations come into play around deeper structure and when targeting black drum and sheepshead that prefer bottom presentations. Captain Jason provides all rods, reels, and tackle, but don't expect basic gear – you'll be fishing with quality equipment matched to the techniques and target species. Line weights, hook sizes, and leader material are all carefully selected based on current conditions and the fish you're targeting. Strategic location selection is perhaps the most critical element, as Captain Jason uses years of experience reading water, understanding fish movement patterns, and timing the tides to put you on active fish rather than just hope for the best.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and the St. Bernard area consistently produces trophy-class bulls that can exceed 40 inches. These copper-colored fighters are most active during moving tides when they cruise shallow flats and ambush prey around structure. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish feeding aggressively to fuel up for spawning runs. What makes redfish so exciting is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight – even experienced anglers get their hearts racing when a big bull red crashes a popping cork in two feet of water.
Black drum in these waters often surprise visiting anglers with their size and power. These bottom-dwelling bruisers can top 50 pounds and provide arm-burning fights that test both tackle and technique. They're most active during cooler months when they school up around structure, and their keen sense of smell makes fresh dead shrimp the top producer. Black drum fights are all about endurance – they don't jump or make blazing runs, but they pull hard and steady until your arms burn.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. The best specimens in St. Bernard waters run 2-4 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 6-8 pounds that locals call "gator trout." They're most active during spring and fall transitions when water temperatures are optimal, and they respond well to both live shrimp under corks and artificial lures worked around grass beds and drop-offs.
Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge for technique-focused anglers, with mouths designed for crushing barnacles and incredible ability to steal bait without getting hooked. The area's abundant structure provides perfect sheepshead habitat, and winter months bring the best action when fish school up for spawning. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience, perfect timing, and light tackle – they're the species that humbles even experienced anglers.
Southern flounder are Louisiana's premier table fish, and St. Bernard's diverse bottom structure creates ideal habitat for these ambush predators. They're most active during fall months when they stage for their offshore spawning migration, often reaching 4-6 pounds in prime areas. Flounder fishing requires understanding bottom structure and current flow, as these fish position themselves to ambush prey swept by moving water.
Captain Jason's advanced half-day fishing trip delivers the kind of technical inshore fishing that keeps serious anglers coming back to Louisiana year after year. The combination of diverse species, challenging techniques, and world-class fishing grounds makes this charter a top choice for experienced fishermen who want to test their skills against some of the Gulf Coast's finest inshore gamefish. With all tackle provided and expert guidance throughout the day, you'll focus entirely on fishing rather than logistics. The 6-hour format gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots and techniques while accommodating travel schedules. Don't let this opportunity slip by – prime dates fill up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons when conditions align perfectly with fish activity.
Captain Jason's 2023 23' Tidewater Bay Boat puts you right in the action for serious redfish hunting in St. Bernard's productive waters. This center console setup handles the shallow backcountry spots and reef areas where the big fish hang out, powered by a reliable Yamaha 250HP that gets you there fast at up to 50 knots. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into those honey holes without spooking your targets, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure and schools. Built for inshore work, this boat cuts through choppy water and gives you a stable platform for working live shrimp under corks or bottom fishing with dead bait. With space for you and three fishing buddies, it's perfectly rigged for advanced techniques and long fights with trophy-sized redfish, black drum, and sea trout in Louisiana's challenging saltwater.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These bruisers typically range 5-30 pounds, but we regularly hook into 40+ pounders that can test even experienced anglers. They're part of the same family as redfish but built like tanks with crushing jaws perfect for demolishing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the biggest numbers and the most action. What guests love is the pure power - these fish dig deep and fight dirty, using their broad sides against the current. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are great eating with firm, mild meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab when you can - it stays on the hook better and the drums can't resist it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing and what most guests dream about catching. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and really know how to fight - long runs, head shakes, and they use that broad tail like a paddle. You'll spot them by that distinctive black spot near the tail, and in our shallow marshes, you'll often see their backs out of the water as they cruise the flats. They love oyster reefs, grass beds, and shallow structure in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldog fight - they're pure power from hookset to net. Plus, the slot-size fish (16-27 inches) make excellent table fare with mild, firm meat. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let them come to the bait - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter species and perfect for anglers wanting consistent action with great table fare. These beauties typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with their silvery sides covered in distinctive black spots. They love grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Spring through fall are prime, but they really turn on during moving tides when the bait gets active. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're not picky when feeding. The fight is spirited with good runs and head shakes, plus they have some of the best eating qualities of any inshore fish - mild, flaky, and sweet. Key tip: work your baits slowly and keep them just off the bottom. Trout have soft mouths, so don't horse them - steady pressure wins the day.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're hands down the best eating fish we target. Most run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but every season we land a few 15+ pounders that really surprise folks. These fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and are notorious bait thieves - they'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. You'll find them around any structure: docks, pilings, oil rigs, jetties, wherever barnacles grow. They suspend at different depths, so we work baits from bottom to mid-column until we locate the school. Spring is peak season when they're spawning and most aggressive. What makes them special is that delicate bite and sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. The trick is to keep your bait pinned tight to the hook and set hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your lunch money if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of the more unique fish you'll encounter in our Louisiana waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, but we've seen some monsters pushing 30+ inches that'll really test your drag. What makes them special is how they ambush prey from the muddy bottom - both eyes on one side of their head and they can change color to match the substrate perfectly. They love our shallow bays, estuaries, and grass flats where they bury in sand waiting for shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're more active and feeding heavily before spawning. The fight might not be explosive like a redfish, but they're sneaky strong and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Hopedale, LA