Night Bowfishing Louisiana's Prime Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6-hour night bowfishing trip through Louisiana backcountry watersTarget redfish, drum, catfish, carp, and flounder speciesAll bowfishing equipment provided with 3-guest capacity boat
If you've been craving something different from your typical rod-and-reel routine, this 6-hour nighttime bowfishing adventure with Jean Lafitte Harbor Charters is exactly what you need. We'll spend the entire night prowling Louisiana's backcountry marshes and inshore flats aboard our 18-foot Alumatech, hunting everything from bull reds to massive drum with bow and arrow. It's fishing meets archery, and once you experience that rush of drawing back on a 20-pound redfish in shallow water, you'll understand why bowfishing has become such a customer favorite down here in Louisiana.
Picture this: we'll launch just as the sun dips below the horizon, when the marsh comes alive with feeding fish. Our Alumatech is rigged with high-powered LED lights that penetrate the dark water, revealing fish that would normally stay hidden during daylight hours. The boat's shallow draft lets us slip into skinny water where big drum and reds cruise the flats looking for crabs and baitfish. You'll be standing on the bow with your compound bow ready, scanning the illuminated water for shadows and movement. The night air carries sounds you never hear during the day - mullet jumping, water lapping against cypress knees, and the occasional splash of a big fish taking off after feeling the boat's vibration. This top-rated charter keeps groups small at just 3 anglers, so everyone gets plenty of shots and personalized instruction throughout the 6-hour trip.
We provide all the bowfishing equipment you'll need, including compound bows, arrows with barbed points, and retrieval reels. The arrows are attached to heavy line that spools out when you shoot, then reels back in to help you land your catch. Since we're shooting into water, you'll need to aim low to account for refraction - that fish is always deeper than it appears. Most first-timers shoot over their target, so we'll spend time explaining how to judge distance and depth. The bow setup is different from hunting deer - we use heavier draw weights and specialized arrows designed to penetrate water and maintain accuracy. Our lights create shadows that help you spot fish movement, and we'll position the boat to give you the best shooting angles. The key is staying quiet and moving slowly, since vibrations travel through the hull and spook fish in shallow water. We'll drift and pole through prime spots where these species love to feed after dark.
Southern Flounder are some of the most fun targets for bowfishing because they're ambush predators that lie perfectly still on sandy bottoms. During night hours, they move into super shallow water to hunt, often in just 12-18 inches. You'll spot them as dark outlines against the light bottom, and they can grow to impressive 5-6 pound doormat size. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're staging to head offshore, making them more concentrated and easier to find.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana bowfishing, with fish pushing 30-40 pounds common in our inshore waters. They cruise in small schools along oyster reefs and grass edges, feeding on crabs and small baitfish. Their broad shoulders and dark coloration make them easy to identify under the lights. These fish are year-round residents, but they're most active during warmer months when they move into the shallows to spawn and feed.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest targets we'll encounter, but they're incredibly rewarding to arrow. These black-striped fish love structure like old pilings, rocks, and oyster beds where they pick off barnacles and small crustaceans. They're spooky and quick to dart for cover, so you need to be ready with a fast shot. Spring and fall bring the best sheepshead action when they're most active in shallow water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana bowfishing. Bull reds in the 15-30 pound range cruise these marshes year-round, and their copper-bronze color shows up beautifully under our LED setup. They're aggressive feeders that won't shy away from the boat like some species, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Summer brings the most consistent action, but we see quality reds every month of the year in these protected waters.
Channel Catfish round out our target list and they're perfect for beginners since they move slowly and hold in predictable spots. These whiskered fighters love deeper holes and channel edges where they can reach 10-15 pounds. They're most active during warmer water periods and provide steady action when other species might be finicky. Their light coloration makes them easy to spot, and they don't require the precision shooting that other species demand.
This world-class bowfishing experience gives you something completely different from your regular fishing trips. You'll come away with skills that translate to better fish-spotting ability during daylight hours, plus the satisfaction of mastering a challenging and rewarding technique. Just bring your valid Louisiana fishing license and get ready for 6 hours of non-stop action in some of the state's most productive waters. Our Alumatech is perfectly set up for bowfishing success, and we know exactly where to find the fish. Don't wait - these night trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and the weather's perfect for spending the night on the water.
Meet our 18' Alumatech airboat, a 2005 beast powered by a 500HP Chevrolet engine that'll cut through Louisiana's shallow marshes and backwaters like butter. This aluminum hull was built for the unique challenges of bowfishing - getting you into those skinny waters where trophy redfish, drum, and carp hang out after dark. With a top speed of 35 knots, we can cover serious water and chase active fish all night long. The flat-bottom design lets us navigate grass beds and mudflats that would strand traditional boats. GPS keeps us on target even in the maze of Louisiana's coastal wetlands. She handles three anglers comfortably with plenty of room to draw your bow and land fish. The elevated platform gives you perfect sight lines into the water, while the powerful engine means we can reach remote spots where the big drum and gar cruise at night.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around structure where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. Bigger fish get tough and stringy, so most folks release the monsters. Black drum are super adaptable - you'll find them in everything from brackish creeks to deep channels up to 100 feet. Pro tip: use fresh crab bait and fish it right on the bottom. They're notorious for picking at bait, so when you feel that tap-tap, set the hook hard.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are perfect for bowfishing - these whiskered fighters grow big in Louisiana's rivers, lakes, and backwater areas. Most run 2-10 pounds, but 20+ pounders show up regularly in our waters. They're bottom feeders that love muddy areas, creek mouths, and around submerged structure where they hunt at night. Warm months are prime time when they move into shallower water to feed and spawn. What guests love is their strong fights and excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat fried up. They're active year-round but summer nights bring them into the shallows where bowfishing gets exciting. Look for them in 2-8 feet of water around fallen trees, boat docks, and creek channels. Night fishing tip: they're more active in warmer water, so focus on areas that get sun during the day. Their poor eyesight makes them rely on smell and those sensitive barbels to find food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species - copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails. These beauties average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds in deeper water. They love shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marshy areas from 1-4 feet deep where their backs sometimes show above water. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their explosive strikes on topwater lures and bulldogging fights in shallow water. The smaller "slot" fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Year-round fishing is good here, but cooler months bring the biggest numbers to the shallows. Look for them tailing in skinny water or cruising grass beds. Local secret: when you see nervous baitfish or diving birds, there's usually redfish nearby. Cast past them and work your lure back through the school.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These 1-8 pound fish hang around any structure - docks, pilings, oil rigs, and jetties where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Spring brings the best action from February through April when they school up to spawn. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites that'll test your patience. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's some of the best eating around. You'll find them at any depth around structure, from surface to bottom. They rarely venture far from cover, so get your bait tight to the pilings. Here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook immediately. Wait too long and they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them easy to spot once you know what to look for. They typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though some reach over 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and marshy areas throughout Louisiana's coastal waters. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our inshore areas. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability - they change colors to match the bottom perfectly. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's a local trick: look for slight depressions or "puffs" of sand on the bottom - that's usually a flounder adjusting its position. Move slow and quiet when you spot one.
Lafitte, LA