Scenic Louisiana Lake Fishing for Redfish & Drum
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour lake fishing charter targeting redfish and black drumScenic Barataria bayou setting combines angling with wildlife watchingAccommodates up to four guests with all gear provided
Picture this: you're casting lines into Louisiana's pristine bayou waters while watching herons stalk the shallows and listening to the gentle lap of waves against the boat. This isn't your typical high-energy charter – it's a laid-back 6-hour fishing experience where catching fish is just part of the magic. Captain Ron takes you into Barataria's most scenic lake spots where redfish cruise the grass beds and black drum patrol the drop-offs. Whether you're here to fill the cooler or just soak up Louisiana's natural beauty, this charter delivers both in spades.
This charter is all about finding that sweet spot between productive fishing and pure relaxation. We'll spend our day exploring Barataria's interconnected lake system, where Spanish moss drapes over cypress trees and wildlife is everywhere you look. The pace is comfortable – no rush from spot to spot, no pressure to constantly cast. Instead, we focus on reading the water, understanding fish behavior, and enjoying those quiet moments when nature puts on a show. You might spot dolphins following our wake, pelicans diving for bait, or even an alligator sunning on a distant bank. The fishing happens naturally as we move through prime habitat, targeting structure and grass lines where our target species love to hang out. With gear provided and only 2 anglers aboard (expandable to 4), everyone gets plenty of personal attention and space to fish comfortably.
We'll be working a mix of techniques that match Barataria's diverse lake structure. Live bait fishing is king here – nothing beats a frisky shrimp or mud minnow when redfish are prowling the shallows. We'll also throw soft plastics around oyster bars and grass edges where drum like to feed. The beauty of this fishery is its variety – one cast might be into 2 feet of water over grass, the next into a 15-foot channel where big drum suspend. I keep the boat positioned with the trolling motor, letting you work your baits naturally with the current. We'll focus on points, drop-offs, and those magical grass lines where baitfish gather and predators follow. The lakes here stay relatively protected from wind, so even when conditions get rough offshore, we can find calm water and active fish. All tackle is tournament-grade stuff – Penn reels, quality rods, and fresh bait that I pick up morning of the trip.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana's inshore fishery, and Barataria's lakes hold some beauties. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-28 inches in our waters, with that distinctive black spot near their tail making them unmistakable. They're most active during moving tides when they push up on grass flats to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special is their fight – they'll make long, bulldogging runs that test your drag and stamina. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up in deeper water, though we catch them year-round in the lakes.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute brutes that will humble any angler. These fish can stretch the tape past 20 pounds, using their broad shoulders and stubborn attitude to fight you all the way to the boat. They love structure – oyster beds, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and oysters. The trick is using enough weight to get your bait down to them and then holding on when one decides your crab looks tasty. Spring and early summer are peak times, though we find them throughout the year in Barataria's deeper channels.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fish world – they'll steal your bait so cleanly you won't feel a thing. These black-and-white striped fish hang around any hard structure, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and small crabs. Landing one requires finesse and quick reflexes since they're masters at throwing hooks. They're most active in cooler months when they move inshore to spawn, making winter trips particularly productive for filling the cooler with excellent table fare.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the perfect light-tackle adversary. They hit hard, jump often, and taste fantastic on the dinner table. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love grass beds and sandy areas where they can ambush baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, though overcast days can keep them biting throughout our trip. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding to prepare for spawning or winter.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying buried in sand waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. These flatfish can surprise you with their size – doormat flounder over 20 inches aren't uncommon in Barataria's lakes. They're most active during moving water when baitfish are displaced and easier to catch. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before their offshore spawning migration, making them both bigger and more aggressive.
This scenic lake fishing charter offers something you won't find on every boat – the perfect blend of productive angling and natural beauty that makes Louisiana's coast so special. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, introducing someone to fishing, or just need a break from life's fast pace, these 6 hours on Barataria's lakes will recharge your batteries and likely fill your cooler too. With target species that fight hard and eat well, plus scenery that belongs on a postcard, this trip delivers value that goes way beyond the fish count. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so book with confidence knowing you're securing a day on some of Louisiana's most beautiful and productive waters. Give Captain Ron a call and let's get you on the schedule – these peaceful lake fishing days book up fast, especially during prime seasons
Step aboard our reliable 2017 Blazer Bay 2420, your floating base camp for exploring Barataria's productive fishing waters. This 24-foot vessel runs on a smooth 300HP Yamaha diesel that'll get you to the hot spots without burning through fuel. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working the shallows for redfish, while our GPS and fish finder combo helps locate structure where drum like to hang out. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. The boat handles Louisiana's choppy lake conditions well, so you can focus on reading the water and watching your rod tips instead of worrying about the ride.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marshes, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50-plus. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and mollusks with their pharyngeal teeth. You'll hear them before you see them - they make drumming sounds that carry underwater. Spring around spawning season is peak time when they school up in big numbers. Guests get hooked on their bulldogging fight and the satisfaction of landing such a strong fish. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom, keep your drag loose, and be patient. They're methodical feeders, not speed demons.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species and the backbone of our marsh fishing. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches in our waters. They love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges where they tail and cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the biggest numbers as they feed heavily. Guests go crazy for their powerful runs and that classic "redfish thump" when they hit. They're also fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. The sight-fishing is addictive - watching a big red cruise the shallows gets everyone's heart pumping. Local trick: look for nervous water and mullet jumping, then work your bait just ahead of cruising fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are Louisiana's most popular inshore fish, and for good reason. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches in our waters. They love grass flats and drop-offs where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Early morning and late evening are magic hours, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What makes guests love trout fishing is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great fighters for their size with acrobatic jumps. Pro tip: work your lures slowly over grass beds and listen for that distinctive "pop" when they hit topwater baits. Don't horse them in - their mouths are soft.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These clever fish hang around any structure - docks, pilings, oyster reefs - where they pick barnacles and crabs off with surgical precision. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we catch some 5-6 pounders that'll surprise you. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. Spring through fall they're active in our area. Guests love the challenge of outsmarting them and the reward of sweet, white meat that rivals any fish. My secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to structure, and set the hook at the first nibble.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms throughout our bayous and shallow waters. These unique flatfish have both eyes on one side of their head and can change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some beauties pushing 2-3 feet. They're ambush predators that wait buried in the bottom for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to pass by. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. Guests love the challenge - they're sneaky biters and excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp on a light jig head, and watch for that subtle thump rather than a hard strike.
Louisiana