5-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure in Lafitte
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore fishing trip targeting Speckled Trout and RedfishAll equipment and fish cleaning services included with charterAfternoon departure explores Louisiana swamp and oil facility areas
There's something special about afternoon fishing in the Louisiana bayou, especially when you're working the waters around Lafitte with a crew that knows where the fish are hiding. This 5-hour inshore trip puts you right in the sweet spot – those magical late-day hours when the swamp comes alive and the fish start feeding heavy. You'll be fishing from a solid 35-foot Aluma Marine that handles these backwater areas like a dream, and trust me, we know exactly where to find the speckled trout and redfish that make Louisiana waters legendary.
We launch from Lafitte and head straight to the productive zones – those inshore oil facilities and backwater swamp areas where the fish stack up thick. The afternoon timing isn't just for comfort (though that cool breeze sure feels good), it's strategic. As the sun starts dropping, baitfish move shallow, and that's when the reds and specks really turn on. You'll be working everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channels, casting around structure that's been producing fish for decades. The 35-foot Aluma gives us the range to hit multiple spots in one trip, so if one area's slow, we're mobile enough to find the action. With space for up to 5 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up.
We've got you covered on gear – quality rods and reels spooled with the right line for these conditions, plus a full spread of tackle that's proven in Louisiana waters. You'll be throwing everything from soft plastics on jig heads to topwater plugs, depending on what the fish are telling us. The backwater areas around Lafitte are perfect for sight fishing when conditions allow, but we're also ready to work structure blind when that's the play. Live bait's always an option too – nothing beats a frisky shrimp under a popping cork when the trout are finicky. The oil facilities we fish hold incredible structure, and we'll show you how to work these areas effectively without hanging up your tackle. Plus, we handle all the fish cleaning at the end of the day, so you can focus on the fishing and head home with ready-to-cook fillets.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and around Lafitte, we see them year-round in good numbers. These copper-colored bulldogs range from slot-size fish around 20-27 inches up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. They love the shallow grass flats and marsh edges, especially during the afternoon hours when they're cruising and feeding. What makes reds so special here is their aggressive nature – they'll eat just about anything you throw at them when they're fired up, from gold spoons to soft plastics. The fight is pure power, with that classic head-shaking, line-stripping run that gets your heart pumping.
Speckled trout, or specks as we call them locally, are the other main target species that keeps anglers coming back. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern are incredibly popular because they're both challenging to catch and delicious on the table. Louisiana specks typically run 14-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 25 inches. They're more finicky than reds, which makes them fun to figure out – you might need to downsize your tackle or change up your retrieve speed to get them going. Specks love structure and drop-offs, and they're especially active during the cooler parts of the day, making our afternoon timing perfect.
Black drum show up regularly in our catches, especially around the deeper structure near those inshore facilities. These fish are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with mature drum weighing 20-40 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shrimp, so we'll often target them with cut bait on the bottom. Black drum fight completely different from reds or specks – it's more of a tug-of-war than a flashy fight, but when you hook a big one, you'll know you're connected to something serious. They're excellent eating in the smaller sizes and provide a nice change of pace during the trip.
Summer flounder round out our target species list and add some variety to the day. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush feeding, lying buried in sand or mud waiting for prey to swim by. Louisiana flounder fishing peaks in the warmer months, and they're often caught while targeting other species, making them a nice bonus fish. They typically run 14-18 inches in our area, and they're absolute table fare – sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Flounder require a slightly different approach, often preferring slower-moving baits bounced along the bottom, which gives you a chance to practice different techniques during the trip.
This afternoon inshore fishing trip delivers exactly what Louisiana fishing is all about – productive waters, multiple species, and the kind of experience that keeps you planning your next trip before the current one's over. With Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters handling all the details from tackle to fish cleaning, you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat and soaking up that Louisiana bayou atmosphere. The 5-hour window gives us plenty of time to work multiple areas and techniques, and the afternoon timing means you're fishing during prime feeding periods when the action really heats up. Don't wait to book your spot – these top-rated afternoon trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is world-class and the weather's perfect for spending time on the water.
This 35-foot Aluma Marine deck boat cuts through Louisiana waters with twin 300HP Yamaha engines, hitting speeds up to 45 knots when you need to reach those productive fishing spots fast. Built in 2010, she's equipped for serious angling with a fish finder to locate schools of speckled trout and redfish, plus GPS and radar to navigate the intricate bayou channels and backwater areas around Lafitte. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure near oil rigs or shallow flats where fish spook easily. Air conditioning provides relief between fishing action during those hot Louisiana afternoons. With comfortable seating for up to 5 anglers, there's plenty of room to work multiple lines without tangling up your fellow fishermen. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish and move around safely while chasing redfish in skinny water or working deeper channels for trout.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 50+ pounds. These copper-colored bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats where they use their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, which is pretty wild. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, but keep the smaller ones for eating since the big boys get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit on the bottom near structure - they can't resist it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature fish - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-30 inches in our shallow marshes, cruising 1-4 feet of water where you can actually see their backs. They're year-round residents but really shine during warmer months when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel drag and test your skills. Plus they're great eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky eaters, hitting everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Key tip: look for tailing fish in skinny water and make your cast well ahead of them - they spook easily but once hooked, they're pure fun.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, averaging 14-20 inches with some nice ones pushing 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow water around our oil rigs and marsh edges, especially during those cool evening hours. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when bait moves through. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a trout explode on a popping cork rig at sunset. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat. My go-to setup is a 1/4 oz jighead with a plastic shrimp under a cork, working it slow over grass beds. Listen for them "popping" shrimp on the surface.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie buried in sand waiting to ambush prey swimming overhead. They typically run 15-20 inches and hit best during fall months when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is watching them change colors right in the boat to match whatever they're lying on. They're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. You'll find them on sandy bottoms in 10-40 feet of water around structure. The trick is using a bucktail jig tipped with squid or minnow, bouncing it slowly along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to grab bait sideways.
Lafitte, LA