Louisiana Inshore Fishing: 7-Hour Charter Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour inshore fishing trip targeting reds, flounder, and drumExtralarge deck accommodates up to five guests comfortablyPosttrip dining included at exclusive onsite restaurant
Looking for a solid day on Louisiana's inshore waters? This 7-hour fishing charter puts you right in the middle of some of the best shallow-water action the Gulf Coast has to offer. Captain Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters runs these trips on a spacious 35-foot Aluma Marine that's built for comfort and fishing success. With room for up to 5 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work the flats, channels, and marshes where Louisiana's prized gamefish love to hang out. The boat's extra-large deck gives everyone space to cast without bumping into each other, and the captain knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Your day starts early when you meet the crew at the dock. The captain will brief you on the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Louisiana's inshore waters are famous for their productivity, and this charter takes full advantage of that reputation. You'll hit multiple spots throughout the day - from grassy flats where redfish cruise in packs to deeper channels where drum and trout stack up during moving water. The boat carries all the tackle you'll need, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. Live bait, artificial lures, and everything in between - the crew matches the presentation to what the fish want that day. Music keeps the vibe relaxed between hookups, and the captain's stories about these waters add flavor to the whole experience. After 7 hours of casting, fighting fish, and soaking up Louisiana's unique coastal scenery, you'll dock with a cooler full of memories and hopefully some excellent table fare.
Inshore fishing in Louisiana waters calls for versatile approaches, and this charter covers all the bases. You'll work with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from speckled trout to bull redfish. The captain switches up techniques based on conditions and target species - sight casting to tailing reds in shallow water, drifting live shrimp over oyster bars for flounder, and working soft plastics along drop-offs for drum. Popping cork rigs are a Louisiana staple, and you'll learn why locals swear by them for trout fishing. When the bite gets tough, the crew breaks out the live bait - nothing beats a frisky shrimp or mullet for tempting finicky fish. The Aluma Marine's shallow draft lets you access skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach, giving you first crack at undisturbed fish. Circle hooks keep everything legal and improve survival rates for releases, while the boat's fish boxes ensure your keepers stay fresh all day long.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate prize for many Louisiana anglers, and for good reason. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud while waiting to ambush prey. You'll find them around structure like oyster bars, channel edges, and grass lines. Fall months bring the best flounder action as fish fatten up before their offshore spawning run. A 3-4 pound "doormat" flounder provides excellent table fare and a satisfying fight on light tackle. The key is working your bait slowly along the bottom - flounder won't chase a fast-moving lure very far.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world. These powerful fish can exceed 30 pounds and will test your drag system to its limits. Louisiana's brackish marshes provide perfect habitat for drum, and they're year-round residents in most areas. You'll typically find them rooting around oyster beds and muddy bottoms, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. The fight from a big drum is all about power - long, sustained runs that make your arms burn. Smaller drum in the 5-15 pound range are excellent eating, while the big "bulls" are best released to continue spawning.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These spotted beauties are aggressive predators that hit a variety of lures and baits. Spring and fall offer the most consistent trout action, though you can catch them year-round in Louisiana's temperate waters. They school up around grass beds, oyster reefs, and channel mouths. A good speckled trout averages 2-4 pounds, but 6+ pounders are caught regularly. Their delicate mouths require a gentle touch - too much pressure and you'll pull the hook right out.
Redfish are Louisiana's signature gamefish and the reason many anglers make the trip south. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, plentiful, and absolutely beautiful. Reds feed in packs across shallow flats, their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. The sight-casting opportunities are world-class, especially during warmer months when fish move super shallow. Slot-size reds between 16-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized "bulls" over 27 inches provide arm-burning fights before mandatory release. Louisiana's year-round redfish season means you can target them any time you visit.
Channel Catfish round out the mixed bag on these Louisiana charters. While they might not be as glamorous as redfish or trout, catfish are serious fighters and excellent table fare. You'll encounter them in deeper holes and channel bends, especially around structure. Louisiana's abundant freshwater inflow creates perfect catfish habitat in the upper reaches of many inshore areas. A 5-10 pound channel cat will bend your rod and provide steady action when other species are finicky. Their whiskers and sharp fins require careful handling, but the payoff is some of the sweetest eating fish in these waters.
Louisiana's inshore waters deliver consistent action for
Hit Louisiana's prime inshore waters aboard this solid 35' Aluma Marine deck boat. Twin 300HP Yamahas get you to the honey holes fast, cruising at 45 knots when you need to chase the bite. The extra-large deck gives your crew plenty of room to work multiple lines while targeting reds, flounder, and drum in the marshes and backwaters. Stay cool between fish with onboard AC, and let the wireless trolling motor keep you quiet when sneaking up on structure. GPS and fish finder help locate the action, while radar keeps you safe when weather rolls in. Built tough in 2010, this boat handles Louisiana's challenging waters with ease. Perfect for serious anglers who want space to fish and speed to get there.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie 5-pounders to bruiser 30+ pound bulls. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around structure. You'll find them on oyster reefs, muddy flats, and near creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - that's when we get the best action. These fish are serious fighters that use their bulk and the current to test your gear. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig works wonders, but keep your bait right on the bottom and be patient. Drum take their time inspecting a meal before committing.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are tough, scrappy fighters that most folks overlook on inshore trips. These whiskered fish run anywhere from 2-20 pounds and love hanging around structure in deeper holes and channels. They're active year-round but really turn on in warmer months. What surprises guests is how hard they fight - using their broad body and the current to make strong runs. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch, with sweet, flaky white meat perfect for a fish fry. Catfish aren't picky eaters, but fresh shrimp or cut bait works great. Here's the trick: use enough weight to stay on bottom and give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook. Their mouths are tough, so a sharp hook and firm hookset are essential. Watch those fins - they're razor sharp.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species with copper-bronze backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. They range from slot-size 16-27 inchers to massive bull reds over 40 pounds. These fish cruise super shallow water - sometimes with backs exposed - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round targets, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight. They'll crush topwater lures, spoons, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. The slot fish are premium table fare with sweet, firm meat. Bull reds are pure sport - catch, photo, and release these breeding stock. Pro tip: look for nervous water and baitfish activity. When you find feeding reds, stay quiet and make long casts to avoid spoking the school.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful fish with distinctive black spots scattered across silver sides. They're one of our most popular targets, typically running 14-20 inches with some gator trout pushing 5+ pounds. These fish love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water. They're active year-round but spring and fall fishing is outstanding when they feed aggressively. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - the strikes are explosive. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Trout can be finicky, so vary your retrieve until you find what works. My favorite trick: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass beds. The noise draws them in and the natural presentation seals the deal.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are unique flatfish that'll surprise first-timers with both eyes on their left side. They're masters of camouflage, burying in sandy and muddy bottoms of our shallow bays and estuaries. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some beauties pushing 25+ inches. They're ambush predators that strike hard when shrimp, mullet, or bull minnows drift by. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore. What guests love most is the fight - these fish pull sideways and make strong runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My go-to tip: when drift fishing, let your bait hit bottom then lift it just a few inches. Flounder like their food moving but not too far off the deck.
Lafitte, LA