Half Day Guided Fishing Trip In St. Bernard
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour redfish targeting trip in Hopedale saltwater marshesEarly 5:30 AM start for optimal fishing conditionsSingle guest capacity ensures personalized guide attention
Picture this: you're casting lines in the saltwater marshes of Hopedale at first light, watching the sun paint the Louisiana wetlands gold while redfish cruise the shallows. This 6-hour private fishing adventure with Jason's Saltwater Guide Services puts you right in the heart of some of the Gulf Coast's most productive inshore waters. Starting at 5:30 AM when the fish are most active, you'll have exclusive access to prime fishing spots that locals have been working for generations. The early start isn't just about beating the crowds – it's when the redfish are feeding aggressively and the trout are schooled up in the cuts and ponds.
Your guide knows these marshes like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish using time-tested techniques that work in St. Bernard Parish waters. The trip accommodates one guest, so you get personalized instruction and undivided attention from your captain. We'll be running between inshore flats, reef structures, and backcountry marshes depending on tides, weather, and where the fish are biting best that day. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity – one cast might bring in a bull redfish, while the next could hook you up with a gator trout. Don't forget to grab your Louisiana fishing license before the trip; it's required and non-negotiable on these waters. The deposit is non-refundable, but trust me, you won't want to miss this.
We'll primarily fish live shrimp under popping corks – a deadly combination in these marshes that mimics the natural baitfish redfish can't resist. The popping cork creates surface disturbance that draws fish from a distance, while the live shrimp below does the rest. When conditions call for it, we might switch to dead shrimp on the bottom for species like black drum and sheepshead around structure. Your guide provides all tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one. We're talking medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull reds pushing 30 pounds. The shallow draft boat gets us into skinny water where bigger vessels can't go, giving us access to less pressured fish that are more willing to eat.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the marsh edges and grass flats year-round, with fall and winter being particularly hot. A good St. Bernard red will pull drag and make multiple runs, testing both your skill and your equipment. They're not just fun to catch – they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them in everything from 2 feet of water to 15 feet, depending on season and conditions.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are another top target that keeps anglers coming back. These fish school up in deeper cuts and around structure, especially during cooler months when they're feeding heavily. A quality trout in these waters runs 15 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing 25 inches or better. They hit live shrimp aggressively and put up a scrappy fight with lots of head shaking. Spring and fall are prime time for specks, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish prefer oyster reefs and shell bottom, where they root around for crabs and shellfish. They're not the prettiest fish in the marsh, but they're powerful fighters that will test your drag system. Dead shrimp on the bottom is often the ticket for big drum, especially around structure during incoming tides.
Southern flounder are the marsh's ultimate ambush predators, lying flat against the bottom waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. They're more seasonal than other species, with fall being the prime time when they're staging for their offshore spawning run. A good flounder in these waters goes 16 to 20 inches, and they're excellent table fare. They hit live shrimp beautifully, often inhaling the bait before you even know they're there.
Sheepshead round out the cast of characters, though they can be finicky biters that test your patience. These convict-striped fish hang around oyster reefs and structure, picking at barnacles and small crabs. They have excellent eyesight and can be leader-shy, but when you figure them out, they provide steady action. Fresh dead shrimp fished tight to structure is often the key, and timing the bite just right takes practice.
This trip represents everything great about Louisiana inshore fishing – diverse species, proven techniques, and waters that have been producing for decades. Your guide's local knowledge combined with the early morning start gives you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. The 6-hour format provides plenty of time to work different areas and target multiple species without feeling rushed. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience world-class redfish action, this trip delivers. The single-guest format means you get the full attention of your guide and can fish at your own pace. Book your date now and get ready to see why St. Bernard Parish is considered some of the best inshore fishing territory on the Gulf Coast.
This 2023 23-foot Tidewater Bay Boat is built for serious inshore fishing in Louisiana's productive saltwater marshes. The center console design gives you 360-degree casting room while the Yamaha 250HP engine gets you to the fish fast, hitting 50 knots when conditions allow. Perfect for chasing redfish and speckled trout in the shallows around Hopedale, this boat handles both open water runs and tight backcountry spots with ease. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into those honey holes where big reds are feeding, while the fish finder helps mark structure and baitfish. GPS keeps you on productive reefs and drop-offs. With comfortable seating for up to 4 anglers and plenty of storage for tackle, this bay boat has everything you need for a productive day targeting Louisiana's premier inshore species in St. Bernard Parish waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marsh system, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they crush shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth - you can actually hear them crunching. Spring is your best shot, especially during spawning season when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds. They're incredibly adaptable, moving from super shallow water to depths of 100 feet. What guests love is their bulldogging fight and the challenge they present. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a tip from years of guiding these waters: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. Drum have keen noses and will home in on that scent from a good distance, especially around dawn and dusk.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in Louisiana - bronze-backed bruisers with that distinctive black eyespot near their tail. Most run 20-35 inches, but you'll find everything from schooling puppy drum to bull reds pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water, often feeding with their backs out of the water on muddy flats, around oyster beds, and in marsh ponds. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the big schools. What guests love most is their power - they'll strip drag and make long runs that test your tackle and patience. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. The beauty of redfish is they'll eat almost anything, from live shrimp to topwater plugs. My local secret: look for nervous baitfish or mud boils on the flats. That's usually redfish feeding, and a well-placed cast to the edge of the commotion often pays off big.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, typically running 14-24 inches with those beautiful gold spots scattered across their sides. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially during low light periods at dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action, though winter can be productive when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it with their numbers and eating quality. The trick with trout is not to overpower them - their soft mouths tear easily. Use a light drag and let them tire themselves out. My favorite local tip: work your lure slowly over grass beds during the first two hours of daylight. That's when they're most active and aggressive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, typically running 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches. What sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to scrape barnacles and crush crabs around docks, bridges, and any structure. They're notorious bait thieves - masters at stealing your shrimp without getting hooked. Spring months bring the best action when they move inshore to spawn. Guests love the challenge they present and the reward of some of the finest eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. The key is getting your bait tight to structure and using a small hook with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. Here's my go-to technique: once you feel them nibbling, resist the urge to set immediately. Let them take it, then set the hook hard - their bony mouths require a solid hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that range from 15-18 inches, though you might hook into one pushing 33 inches. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. You'll find them in our shallow coastal waters, especially around sandy flats and muddy bottoms near grass beds. Both eyes sit on their left side - nature's way of letting them watch for prey while lying flat. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our area heading to deeper water. What makes them special is their incredible fight for a flatfish, plus they're some of the best eating you'll find. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to mouth the bait first, and patience pays off with these sneaky bottom dwellers.
Hopedale, LA