New Orleans Inshore Fishing at Its Finest
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore fishing charter targets redfish and speckled troutAll fishing equipment and tackle provided for up to four guestsPerformance Fishing Charters guides Louisiana coastal waters fishing trips
Louisiana's coastal waters are calling your name, and there's no better way to answer than with Performance Fishing Charters. This 8-hour fishing adventure takes you into some of the most productive inshore waters on the Gulf Coast, where redfish cruise the shallows, speckled trout stack up around structure, and black drum patrol the deeper holes. You'll be fishing waters that have been feeding families for generations, and trust me, these fish haven't gotten the memo about being easy to catch. But that's what makes it so rewarding when you feel that rod bend and hear the drag sing.
Your day starts early at the marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on what's been biting and where we're headed. The boat's loaded with everything you need – quality rods, reels that can handle whatever Louisiana throws at them, and a tackle box full of local favorites that have been producing fish for years. We keep the groups small at just 4 anglers max, so you're not fighting for space at the rail or waiting your turn to cast. The Louisiana marsh system is our playground here, with endless bayous, grass flats, and oyster reefs that hold fish year-round. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every productive point, every drop-off where the big fish hang, and exactly which tide and wind conditions will put you on the best bite. Some days we're sight-fishing in skinny water where you can see the redfish tailing, other days we're working deeper structure where the trout are stacked up. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we have time to adjust, move around, and really dial in what's working.
Inshore fishing in Louisiana is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what species we're targeting. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a go-to setup that produces all three of our target species, especially when worked around oyster reefs and grass edges. For the artificial game, soft plastics rigged on jigheads are deadly on trout and redfish – think paddle tails and shrimp imitations in colors that match the local forage. Your captain will show you how to work these baits properly, because presentation is everything in these waters. When we're sight-fishing for redfish in the shallows, we'll switch to topwater plugs or gold spoons that create just enough commotion to get their attention without spooking them. The boat is equipped with a shallow-water anchor system, so we can lock down on productive spots and really work them over. Don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing – your guide will walk you through everything from proper casting techniques to how to fight these fish without losing them in the structure.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. They typically run anywhere from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red that'll test your tackle and your patience. Spring through fall is prime time for reds, when they're feeding heavily in preparation for their offshore spawning runs. What makes redfish so special is their fighting ability – they make long, powerful runs and have this habit of diving for structure the moment they feel the hook. You'll find them cruising the shallow grass flats on high tide, tailing in inches of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. When you spot that bronze back and black spot in skinny water, your heart starts pumping before you even make the cast.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana fishing, and these beautiful gamefish are what keep most anglers coming back. They average 14 to 18 inches, with keeper trout running up to 25 inches if you're lucky. The cooler months from October through March are when the big trout really turn on, staging in deeper holes and around structure where the water temperature stays more stable. Specks are ambush predators that love to suspend around oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and grass edges where they can dart out to nail unsuspecting baitfish. They're also incredibly good to eat, which is why they're such a customer favorite. The key to consistent trout fishing is finding the right depth and structure combination – they're rarely scattered randomly but instead school up in predictable spots that your captain knows like clockwork.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the marsh, but they're absolute bulldogs that will give you a workout you won't forget. These fish can range from small "puppy drum" around 15 inches all the way up to monster fish pushing 40 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders that cruise around oyster reefs and shell beds, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters, crabs, and shrimp. What makes black drum so exciting is their sheer power – they don't jump or make flashy runs, but they pull with the steady, relentless pressure of a freight train. The bigger fish are year-round residents in Louisiana waters, though they're most active during the warmer months when they're feeding heavily. Landing a big black drum is a true test of angling skill, especially when they decide to wrap you around an oyster reef.
Louisiana's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and this 8-hour charter with Performance Fishing Charters gives you the best shot at experiencing it properly. With all gear provided, small group sizes, and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that reminds you why fishing gets in your blood. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target new species or someone who just wants to experience what Gulf Coast fishing is all about, this trip delivers. The combination of productive waters, diverse
Your fishing machine is a tech-loaded motorboat built for serious New Orleans inshore action. This rig comes packed with XM radio and weather radar to keep you informed, plus an iPilot wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly through Louisiana's coastal waters without spooking the fish. The GPS navigation keeps you on target while the fish finder shows you exactly where the redfish and speckled trout are hiding. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and marine services. With radar for those foggy morning runs and room for 4 anglers, this boat handles everything from shallow marsh channels to open bay fishing. Perfect for working the productive waters around New Orleans where black drum, reds, and specks are waiting.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These dark, powerful fish love our shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use those crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in brackish areas around passes and creek mouths. What makes them special is that thunderous fight - they'll drag you around the boat and test your tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. Skip the circle hooks and go with a strong J-hook - these fish have tough mouths and you need a solid hookset to land them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing, running 20-40 inches in the marshes with those signature black spots near the tail. They cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with backs out of water, feeding around oyster bars and grass beds. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round in 1-4 feet of water. Guests love the visual aspect - you can often see them cruising and cast right to them. They fight hard and smart, using that broad tail to pull drag. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Here's what works: throw a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning, then switch to soft plastics on jigheads later. Key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. Don't cast right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our most reliable year-round fish, averaging 14-24 inches with those beautiful spotted sides. They stick to grass flats and shallow bay areas, usually in 2-8 feet of water around structure like old pilings or oyster bars. Fall and spring are best, but we catch them every season. What guests love is how willing they are to bite - perfect for beginners and kids. They hit topwater plugs early morning, then soft plastics as the sun gets up. The meat is fantastic - flaky white fillets that cook up sweet and tender. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. My go-to trick is working a shrimp-colored jig under a popping cork near grass lines. Keep it moving with little twitches and you'll get bit. They're scattered right now but we know where to find them.
New Orleans, LA