Night Bowfishing in Louisiana's Barataria Basin
Private Trip
Fishing
Private 4hour night bowfishing charter for up to 3 guestsTarget alligator gar, redfish, black drum in Barataria Basin marshesAll equipment, LED lighting, and instruction provided by captain
Get ready for some serious action under the lights with Captain Brandon Phillips and Marsh Monster Charters. This isn't your typical fishing trip – we're talking bow and arrow, high-powered LEDs cutting through the darkness, and some of the most aggressive fish Louisiana waters have to offer. Our 4-hour night bowfishing charter takes you deep into the Barataria Basin's maze of marshes and bayous, where the hunting is hot and the shots come fast. Whether you've never held a bow or you're already hooked on this addictive sport, this private charter for up to 3 guests puts you right in the thick of Louisiana's best bowfishing action.
Your night starts at Jean Lafitte Harbor, where Captain Brandon has everything rigged and ready to roll. We're running a specialized bowfishing boat decked out with generator-powered LED arrays that light up the water like daylight. Once we hit the marshes, it's game on – redfish, gar, drum, and whatever else is cruising the shallows become your targets. The beauty of bowfishing is the instant gratification – you see the fish, draw your bow, and either you connect or you don't. No waiting around for bites or wondering if something's down there. Captain Brandon positions the boat perfectly, calling out targets and coaching your shots. The shallow waters of the Barataria Basin are perfect for this style of hunting, with clear sight lines and plenty of structure that holds fish. We adjust our route based on conditions, tides, and where the fish are showing up that night.
All your bowfishing equipment comes with the charter – recurve bows set at manageable draw weights, specialized arrows with barbed points, and retrieval reels that let you bring your fish back to the boat. Captain Brandon walks everyone through the basics before we start hunting: how to aim low to account for refraction, leading moving targets, and the smooth draw-and-release technique that puts arrows on target. The boat's LED lighting system is key to the whole operation – these aren't regular fishing lights but high-output arrays positioned to eliminate shadows and give you crystal clear views into the water column. Safety gear is mandatory and provided, including non-slip deck shoes if you need them. The shooting platform gives everyone clear lanes of fire, and Captain Brandon manages boat positioning to keep you on productive water all night long. Shot placement and arrow retrieval become second nature after a few fish, and before you know it you're anticipating where that redfish is going to be when your arrow gets there.
The variety of species you can put arrows into during a single night is what keeps people coming back for more. Alligator gar are the absolute kings of Louisiana bowfishing – these prehistoric beasts can stretch over 6 feet and put up fights that'll test your equipment and your nerves. They cruise the surface in shallow water, especially during warmer months, and their bony scales make them perfect targets since they're tough enough to handle the arrow impact. Redfish are year-round favorites, running anywhere from slot-sized fish up to bull reds that'll peel line off your reel. They're most active in spring and fall but show up under the lights consistently. Black drum love the marshy areas we fish and can get surprisingly large – 20 to 40-pounders aren't uncommon. Blue catfish and common carp round out the target list, with carp being especially fun because they travel in schools and give you multiple shot opportunities. The seasonal tilapia runs can be absolutely wild when they're happening, with fish stacked so thick you can barely miss. Captain Brandon knows where each species likes to hang out and adjusts the night's hunting plan to maximize your shooting opportunities on whatever you want to target most.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana bowfishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow marsh edges where our lights reach, and they're active feeders that don't spook easily once you get the boat positioned right. Spring and fall give you the best shot opportunities, but Louisiana's year-round season means there's always redfish to hunt. The bigger bulls are pure muscle and will test your arrow setup when they make their runs. Alligator gar deserve their reputation as the ultimate bowfishing trophy – they're living dinosaurs that can live over 50 years and grow to massive sizes. The Barataria Basin has an excellent gar population, and night hunting gives you the best chance to spot these surface cruisers. They're most active in warmer water, so summer and early fall produce the biggest fish. Black drum are underrated fighters that school up in the marsh channels we fish. They can get huge in Louisiana waters, and a 30-pound drum will give you all the fight you can handle on bowfishing gear. Blue catfish patrol the deeper channels and canal edges, and they're excellent eating if you want to take some fish home. Common carp might not be native, but they've made themselves at home in Louisiana's waters and provide fast action when you find a school. They're smart fish that require good shot placement, but they're in the marshes year-round and always willing to cooperate when conditions are right.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's Louisiana bowfishing at its finest, with a captain who knows these marshes like his backyard and equipment that's dialed in for success. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to get comfortable with the gear, learn the techniques, and put arrows on multiple species. Captain Brandon's instruction gets beginners shooting accurately fast, while experienced bowfishers appreciate his knowledge of the best spots and fish behavior. The private charter setup means your group sets the pace and targets what you want to hunt most. Fish cleaning is available for anything you want to take home, and the memories from a successful night under the lights will last way longer than any regular fishing trip.
Our custom 22ft Gator Tail is built specifically for Louisiana's shallow marsh waters and nighttime bowfishing action. This reinforced aluminum rig serves as your stable shooting platform with an open floor plan that lets you move freely while hunting gar and redfish in just inches of water. The boat's shallow-draft design gets you into backcountry spots where the big fish hide, while GPS navigation and radar keep you on target even in low visibility conditions. A fish finder helps locate schools, and VHF radio ensures safe communication throughout your hunt. The specialized hull design provides the rock-solid stability you need for accurate shots, whether you're tracking a massive alligator gar or working a school of drum in the marshes. This isn't your typical fishing boat – it's engineered for the unique demands of bowfishing Louisiana's legendary waters.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator gar are living dinosaurs and the ultimate trophy for any bowfisher. These prehistoric giants can stretch 4-6 feet long and weigh over 100 pounds, with that unmistakable toothy grin and armor-like scales. They cruise our bayous and backwaters, often near the surface where they gulp air - that's your shot opportunity. Late summer in hot, dry weather is prime time when they're most active and visible. What makes gar special is the pure adrenaline rush - seeing one of these monsters under the lights gets everyone's attention fast. They're tough as nails too, so expect a real battle once you connect. The meat is surprisingly good when prepared properly, similar to chicken texture. Here's what I've learned over the years: aim low and lead them more than you think - water refraction fools a lot of first-timers.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our marsh waters and a favorite target for serious bowfishers. These dark, chunky fighters typically run 15-30 inches but can exceed 50 pounds - they're built like tanks and fight twice as hard. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow mudflats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is peak time when they school up and become easier targets. What guests love about black drum is their bulldogging power - once hit, they'll use every ounce of strength to dive deep and shake that arrow loose. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The big ones are better released for breeding stock. Here's something most folks don't know: listen for their drumming sounds on calm nights - they actually make noise that can help you locate schools in the dark.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are some of the hardest fighting fish we target on these night trips. These slate-blue bruisers can reach 25-45 inches and pack serious muscle - they'll test your equipment and your patience. You'll find them in the deeper holes and channels where fresh water mixes with brackish, especially around fallen timber and muddy bottoms. They're most active during warmer months when the water temperature is right. What guests love about blue cats is their raw power - once hooked, they'll dive deep and fight dirty, using their weight against you. They're also excellent eating when prepared right, with firm white meat that's great fried or grilled. Pro tip from years on these waters: when the lights hit a school of blues feeding under some stripers, get ready for non-stop action. They'll clean up whatever falls to the bottom.
Cyprinus CarpioCarp are perfect for bowfishing beginners but still provide plenty of excitement for seasoned shooters. These golden-brown bottom feeders average 15-30 inches and can push 20+ pounds, making them a real handful when arrowed. They love our shallow, muddy areas and slow-moving bayou sections where they root around for food. Spring and fall are prime seasons when they school up in the shallows to spawn and feed heavily. What makes carp fun is their surprising strength - they'll thrash hard and put up a serious fight that surprises most folks. They're also abundant, so you'll get plenty of shots to practice your aim. While they're not great eating, they make excellent fertilizer for the garden. Local trick: watch for muddy water and bubbles rising to the surface - that's usually carp stirring up the bottom as they feed, giving away their location perfectly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of the most sought-after targets in our Louisiana waters. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-35 inches and are easily spotted by their signature black eyespot near the tail. They love cruising our shallow marsh flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially around oyster beds and grass lines where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs that get your heart pumping. The meat is excellent eating too, with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect for blackening or grilling. Here's a local tip: look for nervous water or tails sticking up in the shallows - that's usually redfish rooting around in the mud for food.
Lafitte, LA