Full Day Louisiana Fishing Charter Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and black drum24foot express boat accommodates up to four guests comfortablyLight tackle trolling and jigging in Louisiana's productive waters
Louisiana's inshore waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds you'll find anywhere along the Gulf Coast. This full-day charter aboard Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters' 24-foot express boat puts you right in the thick of the action, targeting five of the area's most sought-after species. You'll be fishing with an experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, using proven techniques to put fish in the boat. With space for up to four anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough room to fish comfortably and maintaining that intimate, personalized experience that makes for the best fishing days.
Your day starts early when you meet the crew at Jean Lafitte Harbor, coffee in hand and tackle boxes ready. The 24-foot express boat is built for Louisiana's inshore fishing – shallow draft for getting into those back bay honey holes, but stable enough to handle choppier water when the fish are biting out toward the coast. Your captain will have been watching weather patterns, tide charts, and recent fishing reports to plan the day's strategy before you even step aboard. Louisiana's marshlands create a maze of productive fishing spots, from grass beds holding redfish to deeper cuts where trout stack up during moving tides. The boat's shallow draft means you'll access areas that bigger vessels simply can't reach, giving you shots at fish that haven't seen much pressure. Plan on being out there for a solid eight hours, moving between spots as conditions and fish activity dictate.
The beauty of Louisiana inshore fishing lies in its versatility. Your captain will switch between trolling and light tackle jigging based on what the fish are doing and where they're holding. Trolling works great for covering water when you're searching for active schools of trout or redfish, especially during those periods when fish are scattered. You'll pull lightweight spoons, soft plastics, or small plugs at just the right speed to trigger strikes. When you mark fish or find structure, it's time to break out the light tackle and work jigs through the strike zone. Louisiana's inshore species respond well to 1/4 to 1/2 ounce jig heads tipped with soft plastics – gulp shrimp, paddle tails, and scented baits that mimic the abundant forage in these waters. The captain provides all the tackle, but if you have favorite lures that have produced for you in similar waters, bring them along. Local knowledge combined with your personal confidence baits can be a winning combination.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in for those heart-stopping drag-screaming runs. Reds feed aggressively in Louisiana's shallow marshes, especially around oyster beds, grass lines, and drop-offs. They're most active during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around, making them easier targets. What makes redfish so exciting is their fight – they'll make multiple strong runs, often heading straight for the nearest structure to try and break you off. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but even winter days can produce when you find them in deeper holes staying warm.
Sea trout might not have the raw power of redfish, but they make up for it with sheer numbers and their willingness to bite. Louisiana's speckled trout run from schoolie size up to legitimate gator trout pushing 25 inches and beyond. They're structure-oriented fish, holding around shell beds, drop-offs, and grass edges where they can ambush prey. Trout bite best during low-light periods – early morning, late evening, and overcast days. When you find a good school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot. The bigger trout are loners, usually holding in slightly deeper water or around the best structure. They're also more finicky, requiring lighter line and more subtle presentations.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the bunch, with Louisiana producing some true monsters. These fish can exceed 40 inches and put up a bulldogging fight that will test your tackle and technique. They're bottom feeders with excellent senses of smell and taste, making fresh or live bait your best bet. Crab, shrimp, and cut bait fished on the bottom around oyster reefs and shell beds produce the most consistent results. Black drum are year-round residents, but they're most aggressive during their spring spawning runs when big schools move through the area. The fight is all about endurance – they don't make blazing runs, but they'll pull steady and hard, using their body weight and the current to their advantage.
Southern flounder are ambush predators that lie in wait along drop-offs, channel edges, and anywhere current creates an advantage. Louisiana's muddy bottom and abundant structure create perfect flounder habitat. These flatfish can be challenging to locate, but once you dial in the pattern, you can have some exceptional days. They hit moving baits aggressively, especially soft plastics bounced along the bottom or small spoons retrieved slowly. Flounder fishing picks up in fall when they stage for their offshore spawning migration, fattening up and becoming more aggressive. A good Louisiana flounder runs 16 to 20 inches, with some true doormat-sized fish mixed in for those who know where to look.
Sheepshead round out the slam with their excellent table fare and unique feeding habits. These convict-striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, making them some of the most challenging fish to hook consistently. They're structure-oriented, holding tight to pilings, rocks, and oyster beds where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and other crustaceans. Sheepshead require sharp hooks, light line, and quick reflexes – they're notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked. Winter months often provide the best sheepshead action as they school up aroun
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90+ pounds. They're bottom-feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths. Spring spawning season from March to May is when they school up and become much easier to target. You'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater during this time. Guests enjoy the strong, bulldogging fight they put up, though the smaller fish under 15 pounds make much better eating - the big ones get tough and stringy. They're incredibly adaptable to different salinities and temperatures. My go-to tip: use fresh soft crab or peeler crab on a fish-finder rig right on the bottom. Crab bait won't get picked off by catfish like shrimp will, and it stays put better in current.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most range 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, though bull reds over 40 inches show up offshore. They love super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around marsh edges, oyster reefs, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up for their spawning runs. Guests love their powerful runs and tail-walking fights, plus they're fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. They'll eat almost anything but can be surprisingly spooky in skinny water. My favorite approach is sight-fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs early morning when they're tailing in the shallows. Stay quiet and make long casts - they spook easily in that thin water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of Louisiana's most popular inshore targets, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with those telltale black spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow, especially around drop-offs and shell beds. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening bites being prime time. Winter finds them schooled up in deeper channels. Guests appreciate their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're scrappy fighters for their size and will jump when hooked. The key is working topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live shrimp around grass lines at first light. Keep your presentation slow and subtle - they can be finicky when pressured.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are Louisiana's "convict fish" with their distinctive black and gray stripes and human-like teeth built for crushing barnacles. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders show up around oil rigs and bridge pilings. They stick tight to any structure - docks, bridges, jetties, even abandoned crab traps. Spring months from February through April are best when they're spawning and more aggressive. Guests love the challenge since they're notorious bait stealers with a delicate bite, plus the sweet, flaky white meat rivals any fish we catch. They're tricky but worth the effort. Here's what works: get your bait right against the structure using live or dead shrimp, fiddler crabs, or oysters on a small hook. When you feel them nibbling, wait for solid weight before setting the hook hard - they've got tough mouths.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms while waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them throughout Louisiana's shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries where they feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that distinctive "left-handed" look. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward deeper channels. Guests love them for their sneaky strikes and excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Here's the trick: use drift fishing with live shrimp or bull minnows on a light slip-sinker rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, give it a second before setting the hook. They're notorious bait thieves.
Lafitte, LA