Beginner Half-Day Bowfishing in Lafitte
Looking for something different than your usual fishing trip? Marsh Assassin's Bowfishing offers a unique half-day adventure that combines archery skills with Louisiana's incredible marsh fishing. Based in Lafitte, this beginner-friendly experience puts you in the heart of some of Louisiana's most productive waters, where you'll learn to bowfish for catfish, flounder, black drum, and more. Our patient guides walk you through every step, from drawing the bow to reading the water, making this the perfect introduction to one of fishing's most exciting disciplines.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical rod-and-reel fishing trip – bowfishing brings a whole new level of excitement to targeting fish in shallow waters. You'll spend your half-day learning proper bowfishing form while cruising through Lafitte's scenic marshes and backwaters. The experience starts with a thorough gear overview and safety briefing, then moves into hands-on instruction as we position the boat in prime fishing spots. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hands, pointing out feeding areas where catfish cruise the shallows and showing you how to spot flounder lying flat against the muddy bottom. The relaxed pace means there's no pressure – just good instruction, patient coaching, and plenty of opportunities to practice your shot. As the day progresses, you'll gain confidence with each arrow, and by the end, you'll understand why bowfishing has such a devoted following among Louisiana anglers.
Gear and Techniques
We provide all the top-quality bowfishing equipment you need, including recurve bows, specialized fishing arrows, and retrieval systems. Bowfishing arrows are heavier than hunting arrows and feature barbed points that secure your catch – once you hit a fish, it's not getting away. The technique involves drawing the bow, aiming slightly below where you see the fish to account for light refraction in water, and making a smooth release. Our guides teach you to read water depth, identify fish silhouettes, and time your shots for moving targets. The shallow marsh waters around Lafitte are ideal for bowfishing since fish are visible in two to four feet of water, giving you clear shots without the guesswork. We'll position the boat to take advantage of light angles and current flows, setting you up for the best possible shooting opportunities throughout the trip.
Customer Stories
"Came bow fishing for my first time here with Damien and Terry, my friends and I had an amazing time! Will be coming back, and completely recommend. Thanks guys!" - Mya
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black Drum are one of the most satisfying targets for bowfishing in these waters. These chunky, powerful fish cruise the shallows in schools, especially during warmer months when they're actively feeding on crabs and shellfish. Black drum can range from smaller "puppy drum" around 5-10 pounds up to hefty 20-30 pound fish that really test your shooting accuracy. They're relatively slow-moving compared to other species, making them excellent targets for beginners. What makes black drum special is their tendency to tail and root around in shallow water, often exposing their backs – perfect bowfishing opportunities.
Summer Flounder present a completely different challenge that keeps bowfishing interesting. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying motionless on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Spotting a flounder requires a trained eye – you're looking for an outline, a slight shadow, or the telltale eye placement that gives them away. When they move, it's explosive and quick, so your shot timing has to be perfect. Louisiana's flounder run strong from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from 12 inches to doormat-sized specimens over 20 inches. Successfully arrowing a nice flounder gives you serious bragging rights.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and seeing them in bowfishing situations is pure gold. These copper-colored fighters frequent the same shallow waters we fish, often traveling in small groups or cruising solo along marsh edges. Reds are spooky and smart, requiring quiet approaches and accurate shooting. They're most active during moving tides when they're hunting crabs and shrimp in the shallows. A good Louisiana redfish runs 18-27 inches and puts up a serious fight even after being arrowed. The combination of their beauty, fight, and eating quality makes them a top target for any bowfishing adventure.
Hardhead Sea Catfish might not win beauty contests, but they're abundant, aggressive, and perfect for building confidence with your bow. These whiskered bottom-dwellers are active throughout the day and aren't as spooky as other species, giving you multiple shot opportunities. They range from small 1-2 pounders up to chunky 5-pound fish, and they're found in virtually every marsh system around Lafitte. Hardheads are excellent for practicing your shooting form and learning to judge distances in water. Plus, they're fun to catch and help keep your arrow count up during slower periods.
Alligator Gar represent the ultimate bowfishing trophy in Louisiana waters. These prehistoric giants can grow massive – we're talking fish over 100 pounds and 6 feet long cruising these marshes. Gar are surface feeders that often roll or gulp air, making them visible targets for experienced bowfishers. They're incredibly tough fish with armor-like scales and bone-hard skulls, requiring perfect shot placement and heavy equipment to successfully arrow. While beginners might not target the biggest gar, smaller ones in the 3-4 foot range provide achievable goals and serious excitement. Seeing a big gar roll near the boat gets everyone's adrenaline pumping, and they're active year-round in Louisiana's warm climate.
Time to Book Your Spot
This beginner-friendly
5.0(1 Reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Lafitte
Half
