World Class Inshore Fishing Adventures in New Orleans
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Redfish, Black Drum, and Speckled Trout in Louisiana watersAll fishing gear including rods, reels, and tackle providedSingle guest capacity ensures personalized inshore fishing experience
Louisiana's coastal marshes and estuaries around New Orleans offer some of the most productive inshore fishing in the Gulf South. When you step aboard with Performance Fishing Charters, you're getting access to prime redfish, black drum, and speckled trout waters that consistently produce quality catches year-round. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip - we're talking about serious angling in world-class habitat where the fish are plentiful and the action stays hot from sunrise to sunset.
Your day starts in the legendary Louisiana marsh system, where winding bayous and grass-lined shorelines create perfect ambush spots for hungry gamefish. The shallow flats and oyster reefs here are like fish magnets, drawing in everything from schooling reds to trophy-sized black drum. You'll be fishing water that ranges from knee-deep flats to slightly deeper cuts and channels, all within the protected inshore zone where conditions stay fishable even when the Gulf gets rough. The scenery alone is worth the trip - Spanish moss hanging over cypress trees, pelicans diving for baitfish, and endless stretches of pristine marsh that haven't changed much in centuries. This top-rated charter experience puts you right in the heart of Louisiana's fishing paradise, where every cast has the potential to connect with something special.
Performance Fishing Charters has you covered with quality rods, reels, and tackle specifically rigged for Louisiana inshore fishing. We're talking medium-action spinning gear spooled with braided line that can handle the sharp oyster shells and structure these fish love to hide around. The tackle box stays stocked with proven local favorites - gold spoons for schooling reds, live shrimp under popping corks for trout, and cut bait rigs for those monster black drum. Depending on conditions and what the fish are doing, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, working soft plastics around oyster bars, or dropping fresh shrimp near dock pilings where the big trout hang out. The beauty of Louisiana inshore fishing is the variety - one minute you're throwing topwater plugs at breaking fish, the next you're working the bottom with Carolina rigs. Your captain knows these waters inside and out and will put you on the most productive techniques for the day.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in our waters and fight like fish twice their size. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, but you'll find them year-round cruising the flats and marshes. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their habit of feeding in super shallow water where you can actually see them coming. When a redfish grabs your bait and makes that first bulldogging run toward the nearest oyster reef, you'll understand why anglers get addicted to targeting them.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon in these waters. Spring and early summer bring the best drum action when these prehistoric-looking fish move into shallow areas to spawn. They're bottom feeders with incredible vacuum power, so when a big drum picks up your crab or cut bait, the fight is all about power and endurance. Landing a trophy drum requires patience and technique since they use their size and the current to their advantage. These fish can live over 50 years and are considered excellent table fare in smaller sizes.
Speckled trout are the most finicky of our target species but also the most rewarding when you dial in the pattern. These beautiful fish prefer areas with good current flow and structure like oyster reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs. Peak trout fishing happens during spring and fall when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 65-75 degrees. Specks have excellent eyesight and can be line-shy, so light leaders and natural presentations often make the difference between a slow day and a box full of keeper trout. When they're feeding aggressively, trout will absolutely destroy topwater baits in spectacular fashion.
Louisiana's inshore waters don't disappoint, and Performance Fishing Charters knows exactly how to put you on the fish that make this area famous. With all gear provided and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. Whether you're looking to cross redfish off your bucket list, tangle with a trophy black drum, or master the art of trout fishing, New Orleans inshore waters deliver the goods. The fish are here, the habitat is world-class, and the memories you'll make are the kind that keep anglers coming back season after season. Don't wait around - book your Louisiana fishing adventure today and see why this customer favorite destination consistently produces some of the best inshore fishing in the country.
Hit the Louisiana marshes in this tech-loaded fishing machine built for serious anglers. This motorboat comes rigged with everything you need to target redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in New Orleans' productive inshore waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps you moving silently through shallow flats without spooking fish, while the GPS and radar help you navigate the maze of bayous and locate productive spots. XM weather keeps you ahead of changing conditions, and the fish finder pinpoints schools holding in deeper pockets. With VHF radio for safety and communication, you're set for a productive day working the grass beds and oyster reefs where Louisiana's best inshore species feed. Perfect for solo fishing adventures where you want full control over your approach and techniques.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our Louisiana marshes, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These grey-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll actually hear them "drumming" underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but stick with smaller fish under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. My go-to trick? Fresh peeler crab on the bottom near oyster reefs - they can't resist it. The meat is sweet and flaky when cooked right, making them a favorite with families.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana legends - bronze-colored fighters with that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and put up one heck of a fight in shallow water. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh edges where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavy. What makes them special? They're aggressive strikers, great table fare with mild sweet meat, and that explosive topwater bite is pure adrenaline. Look for nervous water or actual tails sticking up - that's your target. Throw a gold spoon or topwater plug just past them and work it slow back toward their head.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish here in Louisiana waters, typically running 1-5 pounds with that classic spotted silver body. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Dawn and dusk are magic hours, but night fishing under lights can be outstanding. These fish have a delicate, sweet flavor that's hard to beat on the dinner table - just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and make runs. Pro tip: work a plastic shrimp slowly along the grass edges during moving tides. The bite often picks up right when the water starts moving.
New Orleans, LA