Beginner Bowfishing in Grand Isle Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Perfect introduction to bowfishing with expert Captain Blake Morris guidanceTarget Sheepshead, Redfish, Black Drum, and Alligator Gar inshoreAll gear provided plus lodging and authentic Cajun meals included
If you've been curious about bowfishing but didn't know where to start, Captain Blake Morris has the perfect setup for you in Grand Isle. This isn't your typical fishing trip – you'll be standing on deck with a bow in hand, targeting some of Louisiana's most sought-after inshore species in crystal-clear shallows. Whether you've never drawn a bow or you're a seasoned archer looking to try something new on the water, this beginner-friendly adventure gives you everything you need for a successful day of bowfishing.
Your bowfishing adventure starts early when Captain Blake picks you up for a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday trip that's designed specifically for newcomers to the sport. The beauty of Grand Isle's inshore waters is the visibility – you'll actually see your targets swimming below before you take your shot. Captain Blake provides all the specialized bowfishing gear, including compound bows, arrows, and reels, so you don't need to invest in equipment before you know if this sport is for you. The boat setup is optimized for bowfishing with elevated platforms and plenty of shooting angles, giving you the best chance at connecting with fish. You'll learn proper stance, aiming techniques, and how to account for light refraction in the water. Don't worry about being perfect on your first shots – even experienced bowfishers miss plenty, and Captain Blake will have you dialed in by the end of the day.
Bowfishing gear is different from what you'd use for hunting deer or target shooting. The arrows are heavier, the points are barbed, and there's a reel system attached to your bow so you can retrieve your shots. Captain Blake starts every trip with a quick lesson on drawing, anchoring, and releasing the bow properly. The biggest adjustment for most people is learning to aim low – water bends light, so that redfish you're looking at is actually a few inches deeper than it appears. You'll be shooting from an elevated platform, which gives you better angles and helps you spot fish cruising in the shallows. The key is staying quiet and moving slowly when fish are around. These species are spooky in shallow water, and one wrong step can send an entire school bolting for deeper water. Captain Blake knows where to position the boat for the best shots and will coach you through each opportunity.
Grand Isle's inshore waters hold some of the best bowfishing targets in Louisiana, and each species offers a different challenge that keeps things interesting throughout the day. Sheepshead are probably the trickiest fish you'll encounter – they're smart, they're quick, and they seem to know exactly when you're about to shoot. These black and white striped fish love hanging around structure, and when you do connect with one, you'll understand why bowfishers get so fired up about them. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or blackened fillets. Redfish are the crowd favorites because they're aggressive, they fight hard when arrowed, and they cruise the shallows in numbers that can make for fast action. Black drum are the bulldozers of the bunch – big, powerful fish that will test your equipment and your ability to land them once you've made a good shot. Then there's the alligator gar, the prehistoric-looking giants that can stretch over six feet and provide the kind of adrenaline rush that keeps anglers coming back for more.
Black Drum are some of the most satisfying fish to arrow because they're big, they're tough, and they put up a serious fight once you stick them. These copper-colored bruisers can weigh anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds in these waters, and they travel in schools that can make for fast-paced action when you find them. Spring and fall are prime times for drum, when they move into shallow water to feed on crabs and oysters. They're not the fastest fish in the water, but they're smart and will bolt if they sense danger. The best shots come when you find them tailing in skinny water, focused on feeding with their heads down and their tails breaking the surface.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of bowfishing – these convict-striped fish are incredibly wary and seem to have a sixth sense about when you're drawing your bow. They typically run 2 to 8 pounds around Grand Isle, but what they lack in size they make up for in difficulty. Summer months are best for sheepshead bowfishing, when they're feeding heavily around oyster reefs and structure. They're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat that rivals snapper, making every successful shot worth the effort. The trick with sheepshead is being ready before you see them – by the time you spot one and try to draw your bow, they're usually already gone.
Redfish are what most people think of when they picture Louisiana fishing, and they're equally exciting targets for bowfishing. These copper-bronze beauties range from schoolie-sized fish around 5 pounds up to bull reds pushing 20 pounds or more. They're relatively easy to spot with their distinctive coloration and that telltale black spot near their tail. Redfish are most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are comfortable, but you can find them year-round in Grand Isle's waters. They're forgiving targets for beginners because they don't spook as easily as sheepshead, and they cruise predictably through shallow areas where you can get good shots.
Alligator Gar are the monsters that make bowfishing legendary – these ancient fish can reach massive sizes and provide heart-pounding action when you connect with a big one. A typical gar might run 20 to 50 pounds, but giants over 100 pounds cruise these waters and can turn your day into an adventure you'll never forget. They're most active in warmer months and often cruise just under the surface, making them visible targets for bowfishing.
Captain Blake's motorboat gets you right where the action is in Grand Isle's productive inshore waters. Equipped with GPS navigation and a fish finder, this setup puts you on top of sheepshead, redfish, and black drum that cruise these shallow flats. The electronics help locate schools and structure where these fish hang out, giving you the edge when drawing back that bow. Built for stability in the marsh channels and bay waters around Grand Isle, this boat handles the skinny water where bowfishing really shines. Whether you're stalking gar in the shallows or waiting for drum to move through deeper cuts, the boat positions you perfectly for clean shots. The fish finder shows what's below while you scan the surface for targets - that's the beauty of bowfishing from a proper platform in Louisiana's rich coastal waters.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator Gar are living dinosaurs that'll blow your mind - these prehistoric beasts reach 4-6 feet and 100+ pounds with armor-like scales and rows of razor teeth. They cruise our backwaters, bayous, and river bends, often rolling at the surface to gulp air. Late summer during hot, dry spells brings the best bowfishing opportunities when they're active in shallow water. What makes them special is that ancient look and the challenge - they're tough to arrow and even tougher to land once you do. They can breathe air and water, making them unique targets that fight like submarines when hooked. Remember, these are catch-and-release only by law, so respect these ancient fish. The key is patience - wait for a clear shot at close range since their thick scales can deflect arrows.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but can push 90 pounds if you're lucky. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds around Grand Isle, using their crushing jaws to demolish shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. They're strong fighters that make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with flaky white meat, but the big boys get tough and are better released. Here's the trick: use fresh crab for bait since it won't get picked off by catfish, and keep it right on the bottom where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's bread and butter, those beautiful copper-colored fish with the distinctive black spot near their tail. They run 20-35 inches typically, but can push 45 inches and 50 pounds. These shallow water specialists love 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing here in Grand Isle, but spring and fall are prime when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love them because they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes and fight like crazy in shallow water. The mild, sweet meat is fantastic eating too. Pro tip: work your lures slow and weedless through the grass beds, and don't be afraid to upsize your bait to target the bigger bulls cruising the flats.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and those creepy human-like teeth that crack open barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders lurk around the right structure. They stick tight to docks, bridge pilings, and oil rigs where the barnacles are thick. Spring spawning season from February through April is when they gather in big numbers and feed heavy. People love targeting them because they're notorious bait thieves and excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's worth the tough cleaning job. They're sneaky biters though, nibbling to steal your bait before committing. My tip: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they've got powerful jaws.
Grand Isle, LA