Night Bowfishing in Louisiana's Prime Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour night bowfishing trip in Louisiana backcountry watersTarget redfish, drum, catfish, carp, and flounder speciesAll bowfishing equipment provided, accommodates up to 3 guests
Picture this: you're gliding through Louisiana's mysterious backwater channels under a blanket of stars, bow in hand, waiting for that perfect shot at a cruising redfish. This isn't your typical fishing trip – it's bowfishing, and it's about as authentic as Louisiana gets. Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters runs this top-rated 6-hour night adventure aboard their reliable 18' Alumatech, taking up to 3 anglers into some of the most productive inshore waters you'll find anywhere along the Gulf Coast. The bayou comes alive after dark, and that's when the real action starts.
Your night starts around sunset when Captain fires up the generators and those bright LED lights pierce the dark water. The boat becomes a floating stage, illuminating everything below – and trust me, you'll be amazed at what's swimming around down there. We're talking about genuine Louisiana backcountry here, where Spanish moss hangs heavy and the water holds secrets that daylight never reveals. The shallow marshes and inshore flats come alive with feeding fish, and that's your cue to get ready. Don't worry if you've never held a bowfishing setup before – the crew provides all the gear and shows you the ropes. You'll learn to read the water, account for refraction, and time your shots. It's part hunting, part fishing, and completely addictive once you get the hang of it.
Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters supplies everything you need for a successful night – compound bows, arrows, retrieval systems, and those powerful lights that make all the difference. The boat's setup is designed specifically for bowfishing, with elevated shooting platforms that give you clear sight lines into the water. You'll be using compound bows with heavy draw weights, typically around 40-50 pounds, paired with fiberglass arrows and retriever reels that let you haul in your catch. The key is learning to aim low – water bends light, so that drum you're targeting is actually deeper than it appears. Most first-timers shoot high, but once you connect on a few shots, the muscle memory kicks in fast. The calm inshore waters and protected marshes make for ideal shooting conditions, especially when there's minimal wind to ripple the surface.
Southern Flounder are the ghosts of these waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms until those lights hit them just right. These flatfish can stretch over 20 inches and put up a surprising fight once you stick them. Spring and fall are prime time when they're moving through the passes, but summer nights can produce some real doormat-sized fish. What makes flounder so satisfying to bowfish is the challenge – they're masters of disguise, and spotting one takes a trained eye.
Black Drum cruise these shallows like underwater tanks, often traveling in small schools that light up beautifully under the boat's LED array. These copper-colored bruisers can push 15-20 pounds in Louisiana waters, and they're surprisingly spooky despite their size. Late spring through early fall brings the best action, when they're feeding heavily on crabs and shrimp in the marsh edges. Landing a big drum with a bow is something special – they're powerful fish that test your equipment and your aim.
Sheepshead might look like black and white prison uniforms swimming around, but don't let their appearance fool you – these are some of the smartest fish in the bayou. They love structure like old pilings and oyster beds, picking off crabs with those human-like teeth. Summer months are best for bowfishing sheepshead, when they're shallow and active after dark. They're excellent table fare and a customer favorite for their fight and flavor.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana bowfishing, and for good reason. These bronze-backed beauties cruise the shallows with their distinctive black spots, often in water so thin their backs are showing. A good Louisiana red will run 20-30 inches and pull like a freight train once you connect. They feed year-round in these protected waters, but fall brings some of the best bowfishing action when big schools push into the marshes. There's nothing quite like watching a red cruise under the lights – they're pure Louisiana magic.
Channel Catfish might not be the prettiest fish in the bayou, but they're plentiful and make for great action when the other species are being finicky. These whiskered fighters can reach impressive sizes in Louisiana's nutrient-rich waters, and they're active feeders after dark. Summer nights often produce steady catfish action, especially around structure and deeper holes. They're also fantastic eating, making them a practical target for the dinner table.
Louisiana bowfishing isn't just another fishing trip – it's a connection to something wild and authentic that's getting harder to find these days. Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters has dialed in this experience over years of running these waters, and their local knowledge shows in the fish counts and customer satisfaction. Remember to bring your valid Louisiana fishing license, and come ready for a night that'll have you booking your next trip before you even get back to the dock. The bayou's calling, and trust me, once you answer, you'll be hooked for life.
This 18' Alumatech airboat is your ticket to Louisiana's prime bowfishing waters. Built in 2005 with a beast of a 500HP Chevrolet engine, she'll cruise at 35 knots through shallow marshes and backwaters where conventional boats can't reach. The flat-bottom design lets you glide over grass beds and into those hidden spots where the big drum and redfish hang out. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this airboat puts you right in the action for night bowfishing. The GPS keeps you on track in the dark, while that powerful engine gets you to the hotspots fast. You'll have plenty of room to move around for clean shots at carp, catfish, flounder, and whatever else shows up under your lights. The shallow draft means access to prime fishing grounds that stay off-limits to regular boats - exactly what you need for a productive night on Louisiana's inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - you'll actually hear them "drumming" underwater during this time. They're tough fighters that'll test your gear, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. You'll find them in everything from shallow creeks to deeper channels. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom. They're bottom-feeders, so weight your rig heavy enough to stay down in the current.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel Catfish are Louisiana's reliable fighters, ranging from 2-15 pounds with some reaching 20+ pounds in our deeper holes and river bends. These whiskered warriors have slippery, scaleless bodies and sharp fins that'll get you if you're not careful. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months, especially at night. You'll find them in deeper channels, around submerged logs, and near creek mouths where they feed on everything from crawfish to smaller fish. Guests enjoy their strong, steady fights and the excellent eating - firm, white meat that's perfect fried or blackened. They're also great for kids since they bite aggressively. My go-to trick: use fresh shrimp or cut bait on the bottom near structure. Their sense of smell is incredible, so smelly bait works best.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, though bulls over 30 inches cruise the deeper areas. You'll find them tailing in 1-3 feet of water around marsh grass, oyster reefs, and mud flats. They feed year-round but really fire up in fall and spring. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and strong fights - they'll make long runs and test your drag. The meat from slot fish is outstanding, with a mild, sweet flavor. Guests love sight-fishing for them in skinny water. Pro tip: throw gold spoons or soft plastics near grass lines during moving tides. They ambush bait as it gets swept along.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters with their distinctive black bars on a silver body. What really sets them apart are their human-like teeth - perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around docks, pilings, and oil rigs. Most run 1-3 pounds, but 5-8 pounders are common around good structure. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites, so you need sharp hooks and quick reflexes. Spring months are prime time when they move inshore to spawn. The meat is some of the best you'll eat - sweet, white, and flaky. Guests love the challenge because they're tricky to hook. My tip: use fiddler crabs on small hooks and fish tight to structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook immediately - they'll steal your bait otherwise.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll spot them by their unique feature: both eyes on the left side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some pushing 25+ inches in Louisiana's shallow bays and estuaries. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they move through our inshore waters. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability - they change color to match the bottom. Guests love the challenge of spotting them and the sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: look for subtle depressions in the sand or mud - that's usually where they're hiding, waiting to strike.
Lafitte, LA