5.0(1 Reviews)Full-Day Inshore Fishing with Marsh Head Charters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing for Redfish, Sea Trout, and FlounderCaptain Jason provides all fishing gear for groupsSmall charter accommodates maximum three guests per trip
Captain Jason knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking a full day on the water targeting redfish, sea trout, flounder, and whatever else is biting. All your tackle is handled, lunch is covered, and you just need to grab your license and show up ready to fish. With only three anglers max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Your day starts early when Captain Jason picks you up at the dock with everything rigged and ready. The boat's built for these inshore runs – stable enough to fish comfortably but nimble enough to get into those skinny water spots where the big reds like to cruise. You'll spend your morning working different structures and grass flats, adjusting techniques based on what the fish are telling you. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're bouncing bottom for flounder near a channel drop-off. Captain Jason reads the water conditions, tide, and weather to put together a game plan that maximizes your shots at multiple species. The intimate group size means everyone gets plenty of rod time, and there's always someone ready to help if you hook into something that wants to make a serious run.
Inshore fishing is all about adapting to what's happening right now. Captain Jason comes prepared with live bait, artificials, and everything in between because these fish can be finicky. You might start the day throwing topwater plugs over grass beds at first light, switch to live shrimp under popping corks when the sun gets higher, then finish with soft plastics bounced along structure as the tide changes. The tackle is matched to the conditions – lighter spinning gear for the technical stuff, heavier setups when you need to pull fish away from cover. You'll learn to read the water signs that tell you where fish are holding: nervous baitfish, diving birds, color changes, current breaks. The captain handles boat positioning and gives you the inside scoop on presentation, but you're doing the fishing. That's half the fun – figuring out what triggers these fish and feeling that satisfying thump when everything comes together.
"What a wonderful time!! I take alot of clients out on guided trips all over the US. This was one of the best experiences! Even if I was looking for something to pick on, I couldn't. Communication pre and post was fantastic. Easy pay service that included allowing tip. Capt. put us on all kinds of fish. Multiple species of trout, red and even a bull shark! Amazing day and great riding boat. Highly recommended! Jon" - Jonathan
Redfish are the backbone of any good inshore trip, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and the occasional bull red that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall is prime time, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Reds are aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. What makes them special is their fight – they're not acrobatic like tarpon, but they've got that bulldog strength that keeps your rod bent and your heart pumping. Plus, they're excellent table fare when you keep one in the slot.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter inshore species, and Captain Jason knows exactly where they school up. These spotted beauties range from keeper-sized 15-inchers to impressive gator trout pushing 25 inches or more. They're most active during cooler months, but you'll find them around grass flats and drop-offs throughout the season. Trout are fun because they'll eat just about anything presented right – live shrimp, artificial jigs, topwater plugs at dawn and dusk. They've got a soft mouth, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, which makes landing a big one that much more satisfying.
Southern flounder are the ultimate inshore challenge because they're masters of camouflage and ambush tactics. These flatfish can grow surprisingly large – a 20-inch doormat flounder is a trophy most anglers never forget. They're most active during their fall migration when they're fattening up for the move to deeper water. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique since they often mouth the bait before committing, but once you figure out their timing, you'll be hooked on targeting them. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Black drum don't get the glory of their red cousins, but they're fantastic fighters that can really surprise you. The smaller ones in the 14 to 20-inch range are great table fare, while the big bull drums that show up seasonally can exceed 40 pounds and give you an arm-burning fight. They're bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shrimp, so fresh bait fished on the bottom near structure is your best bet. Their powerful runs and head-shaking fight make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate brute strength over flashy jumps.
Sheepshead are the inshore species that'll humble even experienced anglers. These black-and-white striped convict fish have human-like teeth and a notorious reputation for stealing bait. They hang around structure like docks, pilings, and rocks, where they feed on barnacles, oysters, and crabs. Landing a nice sheepshead requires sharp hooks, perfect timing, and a quick hookset because they're notorious bait thieves. But when you connect with a good one, you'll understand why they have
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of inshore fishing, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bays where they crush shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring is your best shot when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love is the raw power these fish bring to the fight, plus the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. They're structure-oriented, so focus around dock pilings and oyster bars. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig, and always keep your bait right on the bottom - that's where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bronze bulldozers of shallow water, known for their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These fish typically run 18-35 inches and love cruising 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges. Fall brings the best action when they school up in massive groups. What makes reds special is their raw power and willingness to eat almost anything - plus they're great table fare when kept within slot limits. They're sight-fishing targets that will make your heart race when you see their backs out of the water. Year-round fishing stays consistent in our waters. Best tip I can give: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats, use weedless spoons or live shrimp, and make long casts ahead of cruising fish - spook them once and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots that cruise grass flats and shallow bays. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. They love shallow water over grass beds, especially during dawn and dusk when they move up to feed. Fall and spring offer the best action when water temps are comfortable. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent eating quality - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Winter finds them schooled up in deeper channels. My best advice: work the grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork, or throw topwater plugs early morning - when they're feeding, you'll see the grass beds come alive with activity.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles off dock pilings. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders swim around deeper structure. These fish live tight to cover - bridges, docks, reefs, anywhere barnacles grow. Spring months are prime when they're spawning around inlet structures. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites, but once hooked they fight hard. The white, flaky meat rivals snapper for table quality. Best trick I can share: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook fast when you feel that first light tap - hesitate and they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, camouflaged masters that live on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches, though you might land one pushing 25+ inches. They're famous for having both eyes on their left side and can change color to match the bottom. Fall and winter are prime time when they're staging near inlets before heading offshore. What makes them special is their sneaky nature - they bury in sand and attack bait from below. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Pro tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, and keep your bait moving just off the bottom - they'll follow it before striking.
5.0 out of 5.0What a wonderful time!! I take alot of clients out on guided trips all over the US. This was one of the best experiences! Even if...
Saint Bernard, LA