7-Hour Lake Fishing Adventure with Captain Kennedy
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
7-hour lake fishing charter targeting Speckled Trout, Redfish, and BassEarly morning departure at 6:15 AM with Captain James KennedyAccommodates up to 4 guests from Lake Catherine Island Marina
Picture this: the sun's barely peeking over Lake Catherine as you step aboard with Captain James Kennedy at 6:15 a.m., coffee still steaming in your hand. You've got seven solid hours ahead to chase some of the best freshwater fishing Louisiana has to offer. This isn't your weekend warrior trip – we're talking about a serious day on the water where you'll have time to really dial in on the fish and make it count. Captain Kennedy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with just four anglers max, everyone gets the personal attention that makes the difference between going home with stories and going home with dinner.
Starting before dawn gives you the golden hours when fish are most active, plus you'll beat the boat traffic that picks up later. Captain Kennedy will have you rigged and ready as you motor out to his proven spots around Lake Catherine. The beauty of a seven-hour charter is you're not rushed – if the action's slow in one area, there's plenty of time to relocate and find where the fish are holding. You'll cover different structures and depths throughout the day, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper drop-offs where bass stack up. The captain adjusts tactics based on weather, season, and what the fish are telling him that particular day. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, from rods and reels to terminal gear and bait.
Captain Kennedy runs a versatile operation, switching between techniques as conditions and fish behavior dictate. You might start the morning working soft plastics along weed lines for bass, then transition to live bait fishing for redfish as the day warms up. The captain's got quality spinning and baitcasting setups ready to go, rigged with everything from topwater plugs to weighted jigs depending on what's working. He'll coach you through proper presentation – how to work that plastic worm through cover without getting hung up, or how to read your line when a redfish picks up your bait and starts moving off. The shallow, clear waters of Lake Catherine let you sight-fish when conditions are right, which adds a whole different level of excitement when you can actually see the fish you're targeting.
The species mix in Lake Catherine keeps every cast interesting. Smallmouth bass are the scrappy fighters that'll test your drag system – these fish are pure muscle and attitude packed into a bronze torpedo. They love rocky structure and current breaks, typically running 12-16 inches with the occasional wall-hanger pushing 18 inches or better. Spring and fall are prime time for smallies when water temps hit their sweet spot in the 60-70 degree range. What makes them special is their fight-to-size ratio – pound for pound, nothing fights harder than a smallmouth bass.
Redfish bring a different kind of excitement to your day. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats and grass beds, often in small schools that can turn a slow morning into non-stop action. Lake Catherine's reds typically run 18-26 inches, with some bull reds pushing the 30-inch mark. They're not picky eaters but they're smart – you need to make that first cast count because they'll spook if you're sloppy with your presentation. Fall months are money time for redfish as they fatten up and become more aggressive before winter sets in.
Largemouth bass are the bread and butter of Lake Catherine fishing. These green machines hide in every piece of cover you can imagine – fallen trees, grass beds, dock pilings, and channel edges. The lake produces solid keeper-sized fish in the 14-18 inch range, with legitimate 4-5 pounders always a possibility. Largemouths bite year-round but really turn on during spring spawn and again in fall when they're feeding heavily. They're ambush predators, so Captain Kennedy positions the boat to let you work lures into their strike zone without spooking them first.
Seven hours with Captain Kennedy isn't just about the fish you'll catch – though there will be plenty of those. It's about learning from someone who's put in the time to understand these waters and can pass that knowledge along. You'll leave knowing more about reading water, fish behavior, and presentation techniques than when you arrived. The memories of watching your line tighten and feeling that first head shake will stick with you long after the photos are uploaded. Lake Catherine delivers consistent action for anglers willing to put in a full day, and Captain Kennedy's track record speaks for itself. Spots fill up fast, especially during prime seasons, so don't wait too long to lock in your dates with Right Side Charters.
Get ready to fish Louisiana's prime waters aboard our 2022 Skeeter SX 240 center console! This 24-foot beauty packs serious punch with its Yamaha 300 engine, cruising at 50 knots to get you to the hottest fishing spots fast. Built for serious anglers, she comfortably handles 4 guests with plenty of room to cast lines and land your catch. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking speckled trout and redfish, while our fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating bass hiding in structure. GPS navigation ensures we hit every productive spot around Lake Catherine. The spacious icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves your trophy fish for the ride home. Whether you're targeting reds in shallow grass or chasing trout along drop-offs, this Skeeter delivers the performance and reliability serious fishing demands. Perfect for families or groups wanting to experience world-class fishing in Louisiana's coastal waters.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth are the kings of our weedy lakes and ponds, averaging 12-24 inches with that huge mouth that opens past their eyes. They love thick cover - fallen trees, weed lines, and shallow muddy areas where they can ambush prey. Spring through fall fishing is solid, with early morning and late evening being prime times. In summer heat, they go deeper to cooler water. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the fight they put up, especially the bigger ones. They'll eat anything from bluegill to frogs, so you've got lots of lure options. The meat is decent when caught from clean water - firm and mild when prepared right. Local secret: throw a plastic worm into heavy cover using a Texas rig. Let it fall slow and feel for that subtle tick - that's usually when they grab it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers that love our shallow flats and marsh edges, often in just 1-4 feet of water. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their trademark. These fish average 28-33 inches and can weigh 20-40 pounds, giving you a solid fight on medium tackle. They cruise oyster beds, grass flats, and around old structures hunting for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall and spring are peak times when they're most active in the shallows. What guests love is watching them tail in skinny water and the drag-screaming runs they make. The meat is mild and sweet - perfect for blackening or grilling. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing, cast your shrimp or gold spoon well ahead of where they're headed and let them find it.
Micropterus DolomieuThese bronze fighters average 18-20 inches and put up some serious fights on light tackle. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and structure in our clearer waters, especially during cooler parts of the day. Spring and fall are prime times when they move into shallower areas, but summer means going deeper where it's cooler. What makes smallmouth special is their attitude - they're scrappy fish that'll jump and run when hooked. Early morning and late evening are your best bets. They eat everything from crayfish to small baitfish. Here's a local trick: try a weightless plastic worm around fallen trees or rock piles. Let it sink naturally and hang near the bottom - that's when they usually strike. The meat is firm with a mild flavor that tastes great grilled or fried.
Slidell