Louisiana Half Day Morning Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day morning charter targets Redfish and Speckled TroutSix hours fishing inshore and offshore lake watersAll gear, live bait, and lures included
Nothing beats hitting the water at first light in St. Bernard Parish, where the marshes come alive and the fish are hungry. This half-day morning charter gives you six solid hours to work the productive inshore waters that make Louisiana famous among serious anglers. You'll be fishing with Louisiana Blast n Cast Charters, and trust me, these waters hold some of the best populations of redfish and speckled trout you'll find anywhere on the Gulf Coast. The morning bite is typically the hottest action of the day, especially when you've got local knowledge putting you on the right spots.
Your morning starts early, which is exactly how we like it down here. The captain knows these marshes like the back of his hand and will have you fishing prime structure within minutes of leaving the dock. You'll be working both shallow inshore flats and deeper lake waters, depending on conditions and where the fish are holding that day. The boat accommodates up to three anglers, so you're not fighting crowds or competing for space to cast. All your gear is provided – rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and artificials – so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat. The waters around St. Bernard offer incredible variety, from grassy flats where reds cruise in skinny water to deeper channels where trout stack up along drop-offs.
The beauty of fishing these Louisiana waters is the variety of techniques that produce fish. You'll likely start with live shrimp under popping corks, which is deadly effective for both trout and redfish in these parts. When the fish are aggressive, switching to soft plastics on jig heads can really fire them up – the captain will have you rigged with the right colors and weights for current conditions. If you're working the shallows, topwater plugs can create explosive strikes, especially early in the morning when the water is calm. The boat is equipped with quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull reds that want to drag you into the marsh grass. Don't worry if you're not familiar with these techniques – the captain will get you dialed in quickly and adjust the approach based on your experience level.
Redfish are the stars of the show in these waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push well into the slot and beyond. They're year-round residents that love the shallow grass beds and oyster reefs scattered throughout the area. What makes reds so exciting is their fight – they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. Plus, they're not picky eaters, hitting everything from live shrimp to spoons and soft plastics. The best action often comes when you spot them tailing in skinny water or cruising the flats.
Speckled trout, or specks as we call them locally, are the other main target and they're abundant in these waters. These beautiful fish typically run 14-18 inches with occasional larger specimens that really get your heart pumping. Specks are more structure-oriented than reds, holding around drop-offs, shell beds, and areas with good tidal flow. They're incredibly fun on light tackle and known for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The trout fishing here peaks during cooler months but remains solid year-round, especially in the deeper lake waters where they school up.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that will test your tackle and technique. These bottom-dwellers can range from smaller fish perfect for the table up to monsters that exceed 30 pounds. They're typically found around structure like bridges, reefs, and drop-offs where they root around for crabs and other bottom fare. When you hook into a big drum, you'll know it immediately – they use their weight and strength to bulldoze toward structure, making them one of the toughest fighters in these waters.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, known for their light bites and ability to steal bait without getting hooked. But when you master the technique for catching these convict-striped fish, you'll be rewarded with some of the best eating fish in Louisiana waters. They love structure, particularly around pilings, rocks, and reefs where they pick at barnacles and small crustaceans. Sheepshead require patience and good technique, but the captain will teach you the subtle art of detecting their bites and setting the hook at just the right moment.
This morning charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want – productive fishing in proven waters with an experienced captain who knows how to put you on fish. The six-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques without rushing, while the early start means you're fishing during prime feeding times. With all gear and bait included, you can focus entirely on the fishing experience. The intimate three-person capacity ensures personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. These St. Bernard waters consistently produce quality fish, and morning trips often deliver the hottest action of the day. Book now and get ready to experience some of Louisiana's finest inshore fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90+. These dark, powerful fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their strong jaws around shallow mud flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What guests love most is the bulldogging fight - they use their bulk and stay deep, testing your drag and patience. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and start moving before you lean into them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and 5-20 pounds, with the bigger bulls found in deeper water. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges where you'll often see their backs out of water while they're feeding. They're catchable year-round, but fall brings the best action when they school up in big numbers. Guests go crazy for their explosive topwater strikes and powerful runs that test your drag. Plus, slot-sized reds make outstanding table fare with firm, mild meat. The secret is sight fishing the flats - look for their tails or backs showing, then cast ahead of them with gold spoons or topwater plugs for heart-stopping surface blowups.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread and butter fish here in St. Bernard, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats, shallow bays, and around structure in 2-10 feet of water, feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. They bite year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with tender, flaky white meat. The trick is not to overcook them since the meat is delicate. For consistent success, work soft plastics or live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds early morning or late evening when they're feeding most aggressively.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters, with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but the occasional 20-pounder shows up around deep structure. You'll find them hugging any hard cover - dock pilings, bridges, oil rigs, and jetties where they pick barnacles and crabs. They're year-round targets, but spring brings the best action when they spawn around structures in bigger numbers. Guests love the challenge since sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with delicate bites, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get tight to the structure, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast before they steal your bait.
St Bernard, LA