24-Hour Louisiana Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
24hour charter includes fishing, dining, and waterfront lodgingPrivate cabin offers stunning Louisiana sunrise and sunset viewsCustomizable inshore fishing trip accommodates up to 3 guests
Picture this: you're out on Louisiana's legendary inshore waters for a full 24 hours, pulling in redfish and speckled trout while the captain shares stories about the best honey holes. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a complete fishing immersion that includes top-notch angling, fresh-cooked meals at our waterfront restaurant, and a private cabin where you'll fall asleep to the sound of lapping water. Captain Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters has designed this world-class experience for anglers who want to dive deep into Louisiana's fishing culture, and with just 3 spots available, you'll get personalized attention that bigger boats simply can't offer.
Your adventure kicks off aboard our reliable 24-foot Express, a boat that's built for Louisiana's shallow marshes and protected bays where the fish love to hang out. We'll customize the entire trip around what you want to catch – whether that's targeting monster redfish in the grass flats or working structure for black drum and sheepshead. The beauty of a 24-hour charter is flexibility; we can chase the bite during prime feeding times, take breaks when the action slows, and even try night fishing when certain species get more aggressive. After a solid day of fishing, you'll head to "Da Barge," our exclusive restaurant where the crew will cook up your catch alongside some Louisiana classics. Your private cabin sits right over the water, giving you front-row seats to Louisiana's famous sunrises and sunsets – trust me, there's nothing quite like watching the marsh come alive at first light knowing you've got another full day of fishing ahead.
Louisiana inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. We'll be working with light tackle and live bait most of the time – nothing beats a frisky shrimp or mullet when redfish are cruising the shallows. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we might throw topwater plugs early in the morning, switch to soft plastics around structure, or drift with live bait over oyster reefs where the sheepshead love to hang out. The 24-foot Express draws just enough water to get us into those back-country spots where the big fish feel safe, but she's stable enough to handle choppier water if we need to run out to deeper structure for black drum. Your captain knows these waters like his backyard – every cut, every point, every piece of structure that holds fish. We'll have rods rigged for different situations, from popping corks for trout to heavier tackle if we get into some bruiser redfish or drum.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators of Louisiana's inshore waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. Fall months are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 5-7 pounds not uncommon. What makes them so fun to catch is their aggressive strike – one second you're bouncing a jig along the bottom, the next your rod is doubled over. They're also fantastic table fare, with sweet white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, with mature fish often exceeding 30 pounds and putting up bulldogging fights that'll test your tackle. They love structure – oil rigs, bridge pilings, oyster reefs – anywhere they can use their crushing jaws to crack open crabs and oysters. Spring and fall bring the best action, especially around moving water. When a big drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they'll pull drag and make long, powerful runs that'll have your arms burning. The smaller "puppy" drum (under 16 inches) are excellent eating, while the big bulls are catch-and-release trophies you'll remember forever.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters, with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs with ease. They're notorious bait thieves, requiring finesse and quick reflexes to hook consistently. You'll find them around any hard structure – docks, pilings, jetties, reefs – especially during their spring spawning runs when they stack up in huge numbers. Despite their reputation as tackle busters, sheepshead are prized for their excellent table quality and the skill required to catch them consistently makes every fish a small victory.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their spotted sides and sharp teeth are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish schooling up in grass beds and around oyster reefs. The "gator" trout – those over 25 inches – are particularly sought after, representing trophy fish that many anglers chase for years. They're also outstanding on the dinner table, with flaky white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.
Redfish are Louisiana's signature species and the fish that put this state on the angling map. These copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spot near their tail are built for power, using their broad tails and muscular bodies to make blistering runs through shallow water. They're year-round residents that school up in massive numbers during fall, creating some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities in the country. Bull reds over 27 inches are pure muscle and will test every knot and connection on your tackle. The slot-sized fish (16-27 inches) are considered some of the best eating in the Gulf, making them a customer favorite for both the fight and the feast.
This 24-hour fishing package delivers everything serious anglers dream about – access to Louisiana's
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90 pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and brackish estuaries where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make great eating with firm, flaky meat. You'll find them in water from super shallow flats to 100 feet deep, adapting to whatever salinity and temperature they encounter. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and be patient - these fish take their time inspecting bait, so let them run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore gamefish, easily spotted by their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches in our waters, with the big bulls pushing 40+ inches and serious weight. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show above the surface - around oyster reefs, marsh grass, and mud flats. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What gets folks hooked is their bulldogging fight and that explosive topwater strike in skinny water. Plus, slot-sized reds make outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat just about anything, from live shrimp to topwater plugs. The trick in Louisiana's shallow marshes is staying quiet on approach and casting ahead of cruising fish - these reds are easily spooked in clear, shallow water, so one engine noise or heavy footstep will send them running.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Louisiana's bread and butter inshore species, averaging 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with beautiful spotted sides. These grass bed dwellers love shallow flats, especially around oyster reefs and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Night fishing and early morning are prime times, though they bite well year-round in our waters. They're popular because they fight hard, hit artificial lures aggressively, and taste great with tender, flaky white meat. During winter they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to target in numbers. They're found throughout our coastal marshes and bays in both brackish and saltwater. My best advice: work soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass flats at dawn or dusk, and when you hook one, keep fishing the same spot - where there's one speckled trout, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that can crack barnacles and crush crabs. These 1-8 pound fighters hang around any structure - docks, oil rigs, bridge pilings, and jetties where they feed on barnacles and small crustaceans. Spring months from February through April are best when they spawn in massive schools around structures. They're prized for their delicate white meat and mild flavor, making them excellent table fare despite being tricky to clean. What makes them challenging is they're notorious bait stealers with light, nibbling bites. The secret is getting your bait right against the structure using fiddler crabs or shrimp on a light jig head - when you feel them pecking at the bait, set the hook aggressively because they'll strip your hook clean if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some reach over 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries throughout Louisiana's waters. They're most active during fall and winter months when they move offshore. What makes them special is watching both eyes on the left side of their head track your bait, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The key to landing them is using a slip sinker rig with live shrimp or bull minnows right on the bottom - these fish are notorious bait thieves, so when you feel that subtle tap, set the hook hard and fast before they steal your bait and disappear back into the sand.
Lafitte, LA