Full Day St. Bernard Beginner Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing charter with expert guidanceTarget redfish, black drum, sea trout, and flounder speciesAll equipment, bait, fuel, ice, and fish cleaning included
Captain Thomas knows exactly what it's like to be new to fishing—the excitement mixed with nerves, wondering if you'll actually catch anything, and hoping you don't embarrass yourself in front of experienced anglers. That's why his full-day beginner charter out of St. Bernard is designed specifically for folks who want to learn the ropes without any pressure. You'll spend eight solid hours on Louisiana's productive inshore waters, getting hands-on instruction while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most cooperative species. At $850 for up to three guests, this top-rated charter includes everything you need except your fishing license, making it one of the best values for newcomers looking to build real confidence on the water.
Your day kicks off at 6:00 AM sharp—yeah, it's early, but that's when the fish are most active and the water's usually calmer. Captain Thomas will have the boat loaded and ready, so you can focus on getting comfortable with the setup. The first hour is all about learning basics: how to hold a rod properly, understanding drag settings, and getting a feel for different bait presentations. Don't worry about looking like a pro right away—the captain's seen it all and knows how to get beginners casting confidently within their first few attempts. The boat stays in protected inshore waters around St. Bernard Parish, so you won't deal with rough seas while you're still figuring things out. These marshes and shallow flats are perfect fishing classrooms, with plenty of structure and current breaks where fish love to hang out.
Everything's provided, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for beginners to tackle boxes stocked with proven local favorites. You'll start with live shrimp under popping corks—it's hard to mess up and deadly effective on multiple species. Captain Thomas will show you how to read your cork, when to set the hook, and how to fight fish without losing them at the boat. As the day progresses and your confidence builds, you might graduate to soft plastics on jigheads or even try some topwater action if conditions are right. The captain keeps multiple rods rigged with different setups, so you can switch techniques based on what's working best. Ice chests are loaded with fresh ice to keep your catch in perfect condition, and all fish cleaning is handled after the trip so you can focus entirely on learning and fishing.
Redfish are the stars of St. Bernard's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from 18 to 30 inches in these marshes, with the bigger "bull reds" putting up fights that'll test your new skills. They're most active during moving tides and love to cruise shallow flats where you can actually see them tailing. What makes reds perfect for beginners is their aggressive nature—they'll often eat whatever you put in front of them, and their runs are strong but manageable. Black drum are another customer favorite, especially the smaller "puppy drum" that hang around oyster beds and structure. These fish are excellent for learning proper bottom fishing techniques, and their steady pulls teach newcomers how to work fish without rushing the fight. Sea trout are speed demons that'll give you a completely different fishing experience—they're lighter tackle fish that require more finesse, but their acrobatic jumps make every hookup exciting. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, known for their light bites and quick mouth, but landing one feels like graduating to the next level of angling skill. Summer flounder round out the target list as excellent table fare that often surprise beginners with their sideways swimming and powerful runs once hooked.
Redfish in St. Bernard waters are world-class fighters that range from schoolie-sized 20-inchers up to bruising 30-pound bulls. Peak action runs from September through November when they're fattening up for winter, but summer months offer consistent action in slightly deeper channels. What makes them so exciting is their versatility—you might sight-cast to one cruising a shallow flat in the morning, then hook into a different fish around deep structure that afternoon. Black drum behavior changes dramatically with the tides, and Captain Thomas knows exactly where they stage during different water levels. The smaller drum in the 2-5 pound range are perfect for beginners because they fight hard but won't break you off, while the occasional oversized fish keeps things interesting. Sea trout love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during low-light periods when they move shallow to feed. Their soft mouths mean you'll learn proper drag settings quickly, and their willingness to hit artificial lures makes them great confidence builders. Sheepshead are structure-oriented fish that hang around anything hard—bridge pilings, oyster reefs, and old crab traps. They're notorious bait stealers with their small mouths and quick bites, but mastering sheepshead technique will make you a better angler overall. Summer flounder are ambush predators that bury in sandy bottoms near current breaks, and their flat profile makes for some surprising fights when they decide to make a run for deeper water.
This beginner-friendly charter fills up fast, especially during prime fall months when the fishing is red-hot and weather conditions are most comfortable. Captain Thomas limits groups to three anglers maximum, ensuring everyone gets plenty of personal attention and coaching throughout the day. The $850 rate covers everything except your Louisiana fishing license, which you can grab online or at local tackle shops. Additional guests can join for $140 each, making it perfect for small groups or families wanting to learn together. Eight hours might sound like a long day, but most beginners are amazed how quickly time flies when fish are biting and they're building real angling skills. By the end of the trip, you'll have filleted fish for dinner, solid techniques under your belt, and the confidence to book your next fishing adventure. Don't wait too long—spots book weeks in advance
Your fishing adventure launches aboard a dependable 1997 Parker center console that's built for Louisiana's inshore waters. This 23-footer runs on a powerful 250HP Yamaha engine, cutting through marsh channels and getting you to the fishing grounds quickly. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. You'll have everything needed onboard - an icebox to keep your drinks cold and fish fresh, GPS to navigate the maze of waterways around St. Bernard Parish, and a fish finder to locate schools of redfish and trout hiding in the grass beds. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, though your beginner charter caps at 3 guests for personalized instruction. Perfect for learning the ropes in these productive Louisiana waters where redfish, black drum, and sea trout call home.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweight champions of Louisiana's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90 pounds. These gray-black bruisers love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structures where they use powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What makes them special? They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag system. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab or peeler crab on a Carolina rig near oyster reefs. They're notorious for subtle bites, so watch your rod tip carefully and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale tap-tap.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish typically run 20-35 inches and love super-shallow water where you can sometimes see their backs. They cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer peak action. What makes them special is their powerful runs and bulldogging fights - plus they're excellent table fare when kept in legal slot limits. Redfish aren't picky eaters and will hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Here's a solid tip: look for nervous water or "waking" fish in shallow areas, then cast ahead of them and let your bait sink naturally. Patience pays off with these fish.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks," are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots that make them easy to identify. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though bigger ones are out there. You'll find them over grass flats and in shallow bays, especially at dawn, dusk, and night when they're most active. They're perfect for beginners because they strike aggressively and fight well for their size. The soft, white meat is delicate and delicious when prepared right. What's great about trout fishing is the variety - they'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons. Local tip: fish the grass flats at first light with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below. Listen for their feeding activity - they make quite a commotion when they're on the bite.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters, sporting distinctive black and gray stripes and human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles. These 1-8 pound fish live around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, and oil rigs. Spring brings the best fishing when they spawn in large schools near passes and reefs. What makes them challenging and fun is their notorious bait-stealing ability and strong fights once hooked. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. Here's the key: get your bait as close to structure as possible, keep it pinned on the hook firmly, and when you feel those telltale nibbles, set the hook aggressively. Fresh fiddler crab is hard to beat for bait.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise - flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-20 inches, though trophy fish can hit 26 pounds. You'll find them on soft bottoms near structure, from shallow flats to deeper channels. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before winter. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and excellent eating quality - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are clever ambush predators that will chase down fast-moving baits when needed. My go-to tip: hook your baitfish through the eyes for smaller baits or lips for larger ones, and use enough weight to keep it near bottom where flounder feed.
St Bernard