Family Half Day Fishing In Lafitte's Marshes
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting catfish, flounder, and black drumFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to 3 guests with provided gearGuided marsh fishing experience in Louisiana's scenic waters
Picture this: you and your family casting lines in Louisiana's legendary marsh waters, where every drop of the bait could bring up anything from a feisty redfish to a monster alligator gar. That's exactly what you'll get on this family-friendly half-day trip with Marsh Assassin's Bowfishing in Lafitte. We're talking about some of the most productive inshore waters in the Gulf Coast, where the Mississippi River delta creates the perfect storm of nutrients and structure that fish absolutely love. Your kids will be talking about this trip for years, and honestly, so will you.
This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. With just three spots available, you're getting personalized attention from guides who know these marshes like the back of their hand. We're launching right from Lafitte, which puts you in prime fishing territory within minutes – no long boat rides eating into your fishing time. The evening bite in these waters is something special, when the marsh comes alive and the fish start getting aggressive. You'll be fishing the maze of canals, grass flats, and oyster beds that make this area famous among serious anglers. The guides provide all the gear you need, from rods and reels to bait and tackle, so you can focus on what matters – helping your kids land their first Louisiana fish and maybe landing a personal best yourself. The atmosphere is relaxed but productive, perfect for families who want real fishing action without the pressure.
We're talking classic Louisiana inshore fishing here – bottom fishing with cut bait for the catfish and drum, live bait fishing for redfish, and targeted techniques for whatever's biting that day. The guides know exactly where to position the boat based on tides, wind, and recent fish activity. You'll be using medium to heavy action rods that can handle everything from keeper-sized flounder to bruiser alligator gar. Circle hooks are the name of the game for most of our target species, which makes it safer for kids and increases your hookup ratio. The marshes around Lafitte offer incredible variety – one minute you're fishing a deep canal for catfish, the next you're working the edges of grass beds for redfish. Bait selection changes throughout the trip based on what's working, but expect to see live shrimp, cut mullet, and maybe some chicken liver for the cats. The guides handle all the rigging and re-baiting, so even first-time anglers can focus on feeling for bites and setting hooks.
Black drum are the bread and butter of this fishery, especially during the cooler months when they school up in massive numbers around oyster reefs and structure. These fish fight like freight trains and can range from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to bull drum pushing 30 pounds or more. They're perfect for families because they bite consistently and give everyone a chance to feel that classic thump-thump of a drum picking up bait. Summer flounder, or fluke as some folks call them, are ambush predators that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim by. They're tricky to hook but absolutely delicious, and watching a kid's face when they reel up their first flatfish is priceless. Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing – copper-colored bulldogs that make screaming runs and test your drag. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they're feeding heavily. Hardhead sea catfish might not win beauty contests, but they're abundant, fight hard, and are perfect confidence builders for young anglers. Just watch those spines! Alligator gar are the ultimate trophy fish – prehistoric monsters that can exceed six feet and 100 pounds. Landing one is a bucket-list experience that'll have you shaking with adrenaline.
Black drum are year-round residents that really shine in fall and winter when they gather in large schools. These copper-colored bruisers use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, making that distinctive drumming sound that gives them their name. What makes them so exciting is their power – even a five-pound drum will bend your rod double and make your drag sing. They're also excellent eating when kept in the slot limit, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying. Summer flounder are masters of camouflage, changing color to match the bottom they're lying on. They typically range from 12 to 20 inches in these waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 25 inches or more. The key is feeling for that subtle pickup – flounder don't slam bait like other species, they inhale it and swim off slowly. They're most active during moving tides and are absolutely phenomenal table fare. Redfish are the poster child of Louisiana fishing, with their distinctive black spot near the tail and bronze coloration. They cruise shallow flats, hunt around structure, and provide some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere. Slot-sized reds between 16 and 27 inches are perfect eating, while the oversized bull reds are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Hardhead sea catfish are often underestimated but provide steady action when other species are finicky. They're most active during warmer months and will hit everything from cut bait to live shrimp. Alligator gar are living dinosaurs that can live over 50 years and reach massive sizes. They're ambush predators that prefer live or cut fish, and hooking one is like connecting to a submarine. Even a 20-pound gar will give you a fight you'll never forget, with their ability to jump, roll, and make powerful runs.
This half-day family trip hits the sweet spot – enough time to get into fish without wearing out the kids, guided by pros who know how to keep everyone engaged and successful
Hit the water in style aboard our 22-foot Uncle J Custom Aluminum fishing boat, perfect for chasing catfish and flounder in Louisiana's productive marsh waters. This 2019 skiff handles the shallow flats like a dream, powered by triple 40HP Suzuki outboards that'll get your crew of up to 6 anglers to the hotspots fast – cruising at speeds up to 45 knots when needed. The shallow-draft design lets us slip into those back-country honey holes where the fish are biting, while GPS navigation keeps us on track through the maze of channels around Lafitte. Whether you're working the grass beds for flounder or targeting catfish in deeper pockets, this boat's stable platform gives everyone room to fish comfortably. Built tough for these waters and equipped for serious angling action.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator Gar are living dinosaurs that can reach 4-6 feet and over 100 pounds - true prehistoric beasts with armor-like scales and rows of razor teeth. You'll spot them in deeper river bends and backwater areas, especially during hot summer months when they surface to gulp air. These ancient fish are catch-and-release only in Louisiana, but the thrill of hooking one is unforgettable. They're surprisingly passive around people but put up an amazing fight once hooked. Late summer gives you the best chance when they're active in the heat. The trick is using large live bait like mullet or shad under a bright bobber and being patient - gar take their time. When one hits, don't set the hook right away; let them run with it first or those bony mouths will cost you the fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. You'll find them cruising shallow muddy flats and around oyster beds where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you get the best action. These fish put up a solid fight and make that distinctive drumming sound when you hook one. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with flaky white meat, but the big bulls get tough and stringy. Here's a local tip: use fresh peeler crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom - Black Drum won't chase bait up in the water column, so keep it where they feed.
Ariopsis FelisHardhead Sea Catfish are abundant in our brackish waters and estuaries, typically running 1-3 pounds and up to 12 inches long. They're bottom feeders with sharp, venomous spines that'll get your attention if you're not careful handling them. You'll find them on muddy bottoms near river mouths and marsh channels pretty much year-round, though they move to deeper water in winter. While many anglers consider them bait stealers, kids love catching them because they bite aggressively on just about any bait. They're decent eating if you know how to prepare them - the key is cleaning them immediately and soaking in milk. Pro tip: use fresh shrimp on a circle hook and expect multiple bites. Always grab them behind the head to avoid those toxic spines - even dead ones can puncture through shoes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, cruising super shallow water from 1-4 feet deep where you can sometimes see their backs. These copper-colored beauties average 28-33 inches and are famous for that distinctive black spot near their tail. They hang around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is their aggressive strike on topwater lures and strong runs in shallow water - pure excitement for any angler. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, mild meat that grills perfectly. My go-to trick is throwing a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning near oyster bars. Work it slow and steady - when a redfish hits topwater, you'll never forget that explosive strike.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators average 15-20 inches but can hit 26 pounds in the right conditions. You'll catch them in estuaries and inshore waters where they blend in perfectly with the bottom, waiting to grab passing baitfish. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at them when they're most active. Families love targeting flounder because they're steady fighters and make excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. The key trick down here is using a bucktail jig tipped with live minnow or shrimp - bounce it slowly along the bottom and give it plenty of time to settle. Flounder bite sideways, so patience pays off.
Lafitte