Louisiana Fishing Charter | Half Day Morning Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning charter targets Redfish and Speckled TroutInshore and offshore lake fishing in St. Bernard watersAll gear, live bait, and lures included with captain
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that actually delivers? This morning charter out of St. Bernard puts you on the water for six hours targeting some of Louisiana's best inshore species. We're talking Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Sheepshead in waters that consistently produce fish. The captain knows these marshes and lakes like the back of his hand, and with all gear, bait, and lures included, you just need to show up ready to fish. Small group size means more personal attention and better fishing - we max out at three anglers so everyone gets prime rod time.
This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing trip where you get shuffled around with a dozen other people. You're looking at six solid hours with an experienced captain who's been working these St. Bernard waters for years. We'll hit both inshore marshes and offshore lake spots depending on what's biting that day. The boat comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle - no need to worry about bringing your own gear unless you want to. Live bait and artificial lures are part of the deal, and the captain will switch up presentations based on conditions and fish activity. Morning trips are money because that's when these fish are most active, especially during warmer months when afternoon heat can slow things down.
St. Bernard's got this perfect mix of shallow marsh flats and deeper lake structure that holds different species year-round. We'll work everything from popping corks with live shrimp over grass beds to bouncing jigs along drop-offs and shell reefs. The captain reads water conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly - maybe we're sight-fishing tailing Reds in skinny water, or working deeper channels with bottom rigs for Black Drum and Sheepshead. Spinning tackle handles most situations, but we've got heavier gear if we need to pull fish out of structure. The boat's rigged with a trolling motor for quiet approaches in shallow water, plus fish finder and GPS to locate productive spots quickly. If we head to offshore lake areas, there might be a small fuel surcharge depending on distance, but the captain will discuss that upfront.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard's marshes are loaded with them. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size keepers around 16-27 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. Reds are aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to gold spoons, and they fight like freight trains in shallow water. The sight-fishing opportunities here are world-class when conditions align.
Speckled Trout, or "Specks" as locals call them, are the other marquee species in these waters. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. Spring and fall produce the biggest fish, with some reaching the 20-plus inch mark. Specks are finicky eaters that require finesse - light tackle with soft plastics or live bait under popping corks usually does the trick. They're excellent table fare and provide fast action when you locate a school.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're serious fighters that'll surprise you with their power. These bottom-dwellers hang around oyster reefs and shell beds, growing to impressive sizes - we're talking fish that can push 30-40 pounds or more. They're year-round residents that bite best on cut bait or fresh shrimp. Younger "puppy drum" make excellent eating, while the big ones provide memorable battles before release.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group - these black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and steal bait like pros. They love structure, especially around pilings, reefs, and bridges. Winter months bring the biggest Sheepshead as they move into deeper water to spawn. Landing one requires patience and quick hook-sets, but they're among the best-eating fish in Louisiana waters. Fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp work best, presented right on the bottom near cover.
This half-day morning charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want - quality time on productive water with an experienced captain who knows how to put you on fish. The small group size means personalized service, and with all gear included, it's hassle-free fishing at its finest. St. Bernard's marshes and lakes produce fish year-round, but morning trips consistently outperform afternoon sessions. Whether you're after keeper Reds for the dinner table, trophy Specks for photos, or the arm-burning fight of a big Black Drum, this trip puts you in position to succeed. Don't sleep on booking - the best captains fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 90 pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - makes them much easier to target. These fish are real bruisers and will give you a solid fight, but stick with the smaller ones for eating since the big boys get tough and stringy. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster reefs. They can't resist it, and it stays on the hook better than most baits when the current's running strong.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in Louisiana waters, easily spotted by that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-red coloring. Most inshore fish run 20-30 inches, but the big bulls offshore can hit 40+ inches and really test your tackle. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, marsh edges, and grass flats. Fall and spring are prime, but they bite year-round in our warm Gulf waters. What makes them special is they'll eat almost anything and fight like freight trains, making long powerful runs. Plus they're great eating when kept within slot limits. Here's my go-to method: sight fishing with topwater plugs in 2-3 feet of water early morning. When you see that red back cruising, cast ahead of them and let the lure sit still until they're close.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow areas, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather months are fantastic since they school up in deeper channels and holes. They're scrappy fighters with a delicate mouth, so keep steady pressure without horsing them. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect table fare when you don't overcook it. They're soft compared to other fish, so handle gently. My local tip is to work topwater plugs early morning over grass beds. When you see nervous water or bait jumping, that's your spot. Cast past the disturbance and work back through slowly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those black and white stripes running down their sides. Most run 1-8 pounds, but you might hook into a 20-pounder if you're lucky. They live around any structure - docks, bridge pilings, oil rigs - anywhere barnacles grow thick. Spring through early summer is your best bet when they're active and feeding heavy. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so you've got to stay sharp and set the hook quick. They're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is getting your bait as close to the pilings as possible - within inches if you can manage it. They won't chase far from cover, so precision beats everything else.
St Bernard, LA