Full Day St. Bernard Louisiana Catch All Challenge
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore charter targeting five different fish speciesAll equipment, bait, fuel, and cleaning services includedEarly morning start maximizes fishing opportunities and action
Picture this: you're up before dawn, coffee in hand, ready to spend the next 8 hours pushing your angling skills to the absolute limit. That's exactly what Captain Thomas has designed with this top-rated catch-all challenge in the fertile waters around St. Bernard Parish. Starting at 6 AM sharp, you'll have until 2 PM to see just how many different species you can boat in Louisiana's most productive inshore fishing grounds. This isn't your typical leisurely charter – it's a full-throttle fishing competition against yourself, where every cast counts and the variety of fish you'll encounter will keep you on your toes all day long.
Captain Thomas knows these marshes and bayous like the back of his hand, and he's mapped out a game plan that'll have you hitting multiple fishing spots throughout the day. You'll start early when the water's still cool and the fish are actively feeding, then adapt your strategy as conditions change. The beauty of St. Bernard's intricate waterway system is that you're never more than a few minutes from a completely different fishing environment – shallow grass flats for sight-casting redfish, deeper channels for black drum, oyster beds loaded with sheepshead, and muddy bottoms where flounder love to ambush bait. This charter accommodates up to three anglers perfectly, giving everyone plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from the captain. With live bait, tackle, fuel, ice, and fish cleaning all covered in your $850 base rate, you can focus entirely on out-fishing your buddies.
The key to maximizing your species count lies in versatility, and Captain Thomas comes prepared with multiple rod setups ready to go. You'll likely start with live shrimp under popping corks for trout and redfish, then switch to bottom rigs with cut bait when targeting black drum and sheepshead around structure. Sight-casting with soft plastics becomes crucial when cruising the shallows for reds, while drift fishing with live croakers or finger mullet works magic for bigger trout holding in deeper water. The captain reads the tides, wind, and fish activity to keep you moving between productive spots – sometimes you'll anchor up and work a school of feeding fish, other times you'll be on the move every 20 minutes chasing different species. Don't forget to grab your Louisiana fishing license before the trip, as you'll need it to legally keep your catch.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard's grass flats hold some real bulls. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with the occasional 40-inch bruiser that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some monster fish when you find them. What makes reds so special is their aggressive attitude – they'll crush topwater plugs, slam spoons, and inhale live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The sight of a redfish tailing in skinny water gets every angler's heart pumping.
Black Drum don't get the respect they deserve, but these brutes will give you a workout you won't forget. St. Bernard's deeper channels and oyster reefs hold drum ranging from schoolie-sized 15-inchers up to 30-pound monsters that'll make you question your tackle choices. They're most active during cooler months, particularly winter and early spring. These bottom-dwellers have incredible pulling power and stamina – hookup with a big drum and you're in for a long, grinding battle. They're not pretty, but they're pure muscle wrapped in scales.
Sea Trout provide consistent action throughout the trip and are often the backbone of a successful species challenge day. These silvery gamefish typically run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional 5-pound "gator trout" thrown in for good measure. They school up around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bottoms, making them relatively predictable targets. Spring and summer offer peak action, though fall can produce some true giants. Trout have soft mouths and fight with quick runs and head shakes – they're fun on light tackle and excellent table fare.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped masters of structure, and St. Bernard's abundant oyster beds, pilings, and rock piles hold plenty of them. These 2 to 8-pound bait thieves have human-like teeth and incredible ability to steal your shrimp without getting hooked. They're most active during warmer months when they move inshore to spawn. Landing a sheepshead requires patience, sensitivity, and quick reflexes – they're notorious for their light bites and ability to strip hooks clean. But master the sheepshead bite, and you've got some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Summer Flounder add variety to your species count and challenge your bottom-fishing skills. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 22 inches in local waters and love to ambush bait from sandy or muddy bottoms near grass lines and channel edges. Summer months obviously provide the best action, as their name suggests. Flounder require a different approach – slow presentations with live or cut bait along the bottom, and a gentle hookset since they often grab bait sideways. Their unique appearance and excellent table quality make them a favorite among anglers looking to diversify their cooler contents.
If you're ready to test your angling skills against Louisiana's most diverse inshore fishery, this world-class catch-all challenge delivers exactly what serious fishermen crave. Captain Thomas has put together a charter that maximizes your time on the water while providing everything you need for success. At $850 for up to three anglers and $140 for each additional guest, you're
Our 23-foot Parker center console is built for serious fishing action in St. Bernard's productive waters. This reliable 1997 workhorse runs on a powerful 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hotspots fast, hitting speeds up to 40 knots when you need to chase the bite. The spacious layout gives all three anglers plenty of room to work without getting tangled up during those heated moments when multiple fish hit at once. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day targeting redfish, black drum, sea trout, sheepshead, and flounder. GPS keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where these species love to hang out. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the long 8-hour battle. This center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for the constant movement and multiple species approach this challenge demands.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are powerhouse fighters that love our shallow oyster beds and muddy flats around St. Bernard. These gray-black bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll hear that distinctive drumming sound they make. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we really load the boat. What makes them special is that aggressive fight and the fact that smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab and keep your bait right on the bottom near structure. These fish are smart - they'll steal your bait if you're not paying attention, so set that hook hard when you feel them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Louisiana inshore fishing - these copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spot near their tail are what most folks dream about catching. They run anywhere from slot-size around 20 inches up to bull reds over 30 inches that'll really test your drag. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round but spring and fall are prime time when they're most active. What makes them so special is that heart-stopping topwater strike and their never-give-up fight, plus the smaller ones make fantastic table fare. My go-to trick: look for their backs or tails sticking out in shallow water, then make a quiet cast ahead of them with a gold spoon or topwater plug. Keep it natural and let them come to the bait.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive spots that cruise our grass flats and shallow bays. They typically run 14-24 inches and are some of the most consistent biters we target. Look for them over grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What anglers love is their willingness to hit artificial lures and that tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the table. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. My best advice: work topwater plugs and soft plastics over grass flats early morning or late evening. These fish have soft mouths, so don't horse them - let your drag do the work and they'll come right to the boat.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are our "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, and they're famous for having human-like teeth that crunch barnacles right off the pilings. These 1-8 pound tricksters hang around any structure - docks, bridges, oil rigs - anywhere there's barnacle-covered pilings. Early spring from February through April is when they really shine as they move into shallow water to spawn. What makes them so popular is they're notorious bait thieves that'll test your skills, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet white meat. The secret to landing them is getting your bait tight against structure and being ready for that quick hookset. They'll nibble and steal your bait all day, so use small hooks with fresh crab or shrimp and don't hesitate when you feel weight on the line.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms - these flatfish can change colors to match their surroundings perfectly. They typically run 15-20 inches and make for some of the best eating you'll find in these waters. Look for them on sandy flats and channel edges where they ambush baitfish from the bottom. Fall months from September through November are when they really turn on and become easier to target. What guests love most is the challenge of fooling these smart fish and that sweet, delicate meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. The key trick I share with everyone: hook your baitfish through the eye for smaller baits and through the lips for larger ones. Use a circle hook and give them time to fully take the bait before setting - they bite sideways and need that extra second.
St Bernard