Louisiana Charter Fishing | Full Day Inshore
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll fishing gear and drinks provided by experienced captainMaximum 4 guests with light tackle trolling and jigging
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Louisiana has to offer, this full-day charter aboard the 24' Gator Bay delivers exactly what serious anglers are after. We're talking about productive waters where redfish cruise the shallows, speckled trout stack up near structure, and flounder lay waiting in ambush spots. Your captain knows these marshes and bayous like the back of his hand, and he's got the local intel that makes the difference between a good day and an outstanding one. With all your tackle provided and cold drinks on ice, you just need to show up with your snacks and fishing license – everything else is handled. Four anglers max means plenty of room to fish comfortably without fighting for space at the rail.
This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing trip where you're one of twenty people hoping to get a shot at a fish. You're looking at a full day with a seasoned captain who's been working these Louisiana marshes for years, and he knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The 24' Gator Bay is perfectly sized for inshore work – stable enough to handle choppy conditions but shallow-drafted enough to get into those back-country spots where the big reds like to feed. You'll launch from the marina and within minutes, you're in prime fishing territory. No long boat rides to the fishing grounds – Louisiana's inshore waters are that good. The pace is relaxed but productive, giving everyone time to learn the water while keeping lines wet and fish coming over the rail.
Your captain runs a light tackle operation, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these inshore species are famous for. We're talking spinning gear matched to the conditions – not too heavy that it takes the fun out of fighting a slot redfish, but not so light that you can't muscle a bull red away from structure when it counts. Depending on what's biting and where we find them, you'll work with both trolling and jigging presentations. Trolling lets you cover water efficiently while targeting trout along grass lines and channel edges, while jigging around structure and oyster bars is deadly for redfish and sheepshead. Your captain provides all the gear and knows exactly what works in these waters – from the right jig heads and soft plastics to topwater plugs that drive redfish crazy in shallow water. He'll teach you how to read the water, work your baits properly, and handle fish once they're hooked.
The redfish action is what brings most anglers back to Louisiana's marshes year after year. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, plentiful, and absolutely addictive to catch. Redfish here typically run anywhere from slot-sized fish around 16-27 inches that make excellent table fare, up to oversized bulls that can push 30-40 inches and give you the fight of your life in shallow water. They're most active during moving tides when they're feeding along oyster bars, grass lines, and shallow flats. Spring and fall are peak times, but Louisiana's year-round fishery means you'll find them feeding in every season. What makes catching reds so exciting is their aggressive strike and the way they use their broad tails to make powerful runs in shallow water.
Speckled trout are the other crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these beautiful spotted fish are as fun to catch as they are delicious on the table. Sea trout here average 12-16 inches with plenty of keeper-sized fish, and when conditions are right, you might hook into a gator trout pushing 20+ inches. They're structure-oriented fish that love to hang around grass beds, drop-offs, and channel mouths where baitfish concentrate. Trout are most active during cooler months, with fall and winter producing some of the year's best action. They're also more finicky than redfish, which makes them a great target for anglers who like to fine-tune their presentations and work for their fish.
Southern flounder add variety to your catch and are some of the best eating fish in these waters. These ambush predators lie buried in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to pounce on passing baitfish. Louisiana's flounder typically run 12-18 inches with some doormat-sized fish over 20 inches for anglers who know where to look. They're most active during their fall migration when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right technique – slow presentations along the bottom that mimic wounded baitfish are key. When a flounder hits, it's often subtle, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers who enjoy technical fishing.
Black drum provide serious pulling power and are often the surprise catch of the day. These bottom-dwelling bruisers can range from smaller fish perfect for the dinner table up to massive bulls that will test your tackle and technique. They're year-round residents that feed heavily around oyster bars and structure where they crush crabs and other shellfish. Drum fishing is all about getting your bait to the bottom and being ready for a freight train run when they find it. Sheepshead round out the target species list and are prized for their excellent table quality and challenging nature. These convict-striped fish have small mouths and are notorious bait stealers, making them a favorite target for anglers who like technical fishing around structure.
This full-day charter represents some of the best value in Louisiana inshore fishing – experienced local guidance, top-notch light tackle, and access to world-class fishing grounds that produce year-round. With only four anglers maximum, you're getting the personalized attention that makes the difference between learning the water and just catching a few fish. Your captain handles all the details from gear to drinks, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat and enjoying one of the country's premier inshore fisheries. Louisiana's
Our 24' Gator Bay is built for Louisiana's inshore waters. This 2014 bay boat runs on a powerful 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, hitting speeds up to 45 knots. Perfect for up to 4 anglers looking to target redfish, trout, and flounder in the shallows and backwaters where these fish love to hide. The boat's shallow draft design lets us navigate tight spots and skinny water that bigger boats can't reach. Equipped with GPS and fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, so we can put you on the action quickly. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Built tough for Louisiana's coastal conditions, this boat handles chop and wind while keeping you comfortable during long days on the water chasing whatever's biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack drums are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with monsters reaching 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds, bridge pilings, and muddy flats in brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special? Those crushing jaws can crack oysters like potato chips, and they put up a serious fight. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the trick: use fresh crab or cut shrimp on a circle hook, keep it on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard. They're notorious bait stealers, so stay sharp and ready.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's crown jewel, easily spotted by that signature black spot near the tail and copper-red coloring. Most slot fish run 20-30 inches, but bull reds offshore can hit 50+ pounds. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them on marsh edges, oyster reefs, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the biggest schools. What guests love most are those explosive topwater strikes and drag-screaming runs. Plus, slot-sized reds make fantastic table fare. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials all work. My favorite trick is throwing a gold spoon over shallow grass flats and working it just under the surface. When you see that red flash following your lure, keep it moving steady.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are Louisiana's bread and butter inshore fish. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them over grass flats, around shell reefs, and in shallow bays - they love that 2-8 foot range. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but summer nights can be phenomenal. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their delicate, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great fighters for their size. The key is fishing grass flats early morning or late evening with live shrimp under a popping cork. Keep the bait about 18 inches under the cork and work it slow. When that cork disappears, set the hook quick - they have soft mouths.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters, sporting bold black stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles with ease. Most run 1-8 pounds around 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders do show up. You'll find them hugging any structure - docks, bridge pilings, oil rigs - where they munch on barnacles and small crabs. Spring months from February through April are peak season when they gather to spawn. Guests get a kick out of those weird teeth and love the sweet, mild meat that rivals snapper. They're notorious bait thieves though, nibbling your offering clean off the hook. The secret is using small hooks with fresh fiddler crab or shrimp, getting tight to the structure, and setting the hook the instant you feel weight. Don't hesitate - these guys are quick.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on Louisiana's sandy bottoms, averaging 15-20 inches but capable of hitting 26 pounds. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at landing one. What guests love is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and their excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. They're tricky fighters that can disappear back into the sand if you're not careful. My go-to technique is using live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook, keeping just enough weight to stay on bottom. When you feel that distinctive flounder bite - like a gentle pull - count to three before setting the hook.
Lafitte, LA