Inshore Fishing New Orleans, LA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Redfish, Black Drum, and Speckled Trout in Louisiana watersAll fishing equipment including rods, reels, and tackle providedSingle guest capacity ensures personalized inshore fishing experience
Louisiana's coastal marshes offer some of the most productive inshore fishing waters in the Gulf South, and this solo charter puts you right in the heart of the action. You'll be working the grass beds, oyster reefs, and shallow flats where redfish, speckled trout, and black drum make their living. Performance Fishing Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll have you on fish from the moment you wet your line. With all tackle provided and just you on the boat, this is personalized fishing at its finest – no fighting for rod space or waiting your turn at the hot spots.
Your morning starts early at the marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on conditions, tides, and where the fish have been biting. The boat's rigged and ready with quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of the right baits for Louisiana inshore species. You'll spend your day moving between different structure – from shallow grass flats where reds cruise in inches of water to deeper shell beds where trout stack up during moving tides. The beauty of fishing solo means your captain can adapt the entire trip to your skill level and preferences. Want to sight-fish shallow water? Done. Prefer working deeper structure with bottom rigs? No problem. The Louisiana marsh system provides endless options, and with water temperatures staying fishable most of the year, there's always something biting.
Inshore fishing around New Orleans means adapting your approach to the conditions and target species. You'll be using medium-action spinning gear loaded with braided line for maximum sensitivity and hook-setting power in the grass. Live shrimp under popping corks is the go-to setup for speckled trout, especially when working grass beds and shell reefs. For redfish, you'll switch between live cocahoe minnows on jig heads and cut bait on Carolina rigs, depending on whether you're sight-casting to cruising fish or working deeper holes. Black drum respond well to fresh crab and shrimp fished on the bottom near oyster bars and bridge pilings. Your captain carries a full spread of terminal tackle – from 1/8-ounce jig heads for shallow work to heavier weights for drift fishing deeper water. The key to success in these marshes is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most exciting fights you'll find in shallow water. Bull reds in the 20-30 pound range cruise the flats year-round, especially during spring and fall when they school up for spawning runs. They're aggressive feeders that'll slam a well-presented bait, then rip line off your reel with powerful runs toward the nearest structure. The slot-sized reds (16-27 inches) make for excellent table fare and are abundant in the marshes around New Orleans.
Speckled trout are the other mainstay of Louisiana inshore fishing, and they're as tasty as they are fun to catch. These spotted beauties love grass beds and shell bottoms, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. Spring and early summer offer the best trout fishing, with fish in the 2-4 pound range common and occasional doormat trout topping 6 pounds. They're finicky feeders that require a light touch – when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, resist the urge to jerk and instead lift the rod tip smoothly to set the hook.
Black drum round out the inshore slam and provide a different kind of fight altogether. These bottom-dwellers use their broad shoulders and bulldogging power to test your drag system. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 5-15 pound range are excellent eating, while the bigger bulls put up memorable fights. They're most active during cooler months and can be found around any hard structure – oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and old well sites are prime spots. When a big drum picks up your crab bait, you'll know it immediately from the steady, powerful pull.
Louisiana's inshore waters fish well year-round, but the cooler months from October through April often provide the most consistent action and comfortable conditions. This solo charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace and target the species that get you most fired up. Whether you're looking to put together an inshore slam, fill the cooler with dinner, or just enjoy a day on some of the most productive fishing waters in the country, Performance Fishing Charters has you covered. The boat's equipped, the captain knows where to find them, and all you need to bring is your fishing license and enthusiasm for bending rods. Book your trip now and get ready to see why Louisiana inshore fishing has such a devoted following among anglers who know where to find the good stuff.
This high-tech motorboat puts you right in the sweet spot for chasing redfish and speckled trout through Louisiana's coastal marshes. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on feeding fish, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Rain or shine, you've got radar and XM weather to keep tabs on conditions, plus GPS to mark those honey holes for next time. The VHF radio keeps you connected with other anglers and marine traffic. Built for one angler who wants to focus on the fishing without distractions, this boat handles the shallow flats and deeper channels around New Orleans with ease. All your tackle is ready to go – just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods in these productive waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with jaw strength that'll surprise you. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Here's a local secret: when you're fishing oyster beds, drop fresh blue crab right on the bottom and be patient. These fish are smart and will inspect your bait before committing, so keep that rod tip steady until you feel that solid thump.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, with that distinctive black spot fooling predators for thousands of years. You'll find them cruising 1-4 foot flats, around oyster reefs, and in marsh ponds where they're often tailing in water so shallow their backs stick out. They're year-round targets but really turn on during fall when they're fattening up. What guests love most is watching a big red crash a topwater plug in skinny water - pure adrenaline. The meat on slot-sized fish is fantastic, with a mild, sweet flavor that grills perfectly. Here's my go-to move: when you spot tailing reds, cast your spoon or soft plastic well ahead of where they're heading, then work it slow along the bottom.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most consistent inshore targets here in Louisiana, typically running 1-3 pounds with some nice ones pushing 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and winter months are fantastic as they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a trout explode on a She Dog at sunrise. The meat is tender and flaky, perfect for the dinner table, but don't overcook it. Pro tip: when fishing the flats, look for nervous water or baitfish getting pushed around. Throw a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork and work it slow - trout can't resist that action.
New Orleans, LA