Full Day Inshore Fishing in St. Bernard
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 7hour inshore fishing charter for up to 4 guestsTarget redfish, sea trout, black drum, and summer flounderAll fishing gear provided, starts 6 AM from Hopedale Highway
Looking for a serious day of inshore fishing in Louisiana's legendary waters? SaltyFrog Charters runs a top-rated 7-hour fishing adventure that puts you right in the middle of some of the Gulf Coast's best redfish and speckled trout action. This private charter takes up to 4 anglers into the productive marshes and shallow waters around St. Bernard Parish, where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf and creates perfect conditions for hungry inshore species.
Your fishing day kicks off early at 6:00 AM from the dock at 5717 Hopedale Hwy – and trust me, you'll want that early start when the fish are most active. Captain and crew provide all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout to heavier setups when we're targeting bull reds. The boat's rigged with everything from popping corks to jigheads, plus a good selection of live bait and artificial lures that work best in these waters. You're looking at 7 solid hours of fishing time, which gives us plenty of opportunity to hit multiple spots and adjust our strategy based on what the fish are doing. The marshes around St. Bernard offer incredible variety – we might start working grass lines for redfish, then move to deeper channels for black drum, or hit the flats when conditions are right for sight fishing. Bring your Louisiana fishing license, some drinks and snacks to keep your energy up, and a small cooler if you want to take home fillets. The captain will clean your catch, so you're walking away with dinner ready to cook.
Inshore fishing in St. Bernard is all about reading the water and adapting to conditions. We'll be working everything from shallow grass flats to deeper bayou channels, using techniques that match what the fish want on any given day. Live shrimp under popping corks is a proven producer for speckled trout, especially when we're working structure like old pilings or drop-offs. For redfish, we might throw gold spoons along the grass lines or work soft plastics through shallow water where these copper-colored fighters like to cruise. The boat's equipped with a shallow water anchor system, so we can hold position in prime spots without spooking fish in skinny water. When black drum are the target, we're talking about bottom fishing with crab or cut bait near structure – these bruisers require a bit more patience but deliver serious fights. Summer flounder fishing means working soft plastics or live bait along channel edges and drop-offs where these flatfish ambush prey. The beauty of a 7-hour trip is we're not rushed – if one technique isn't producing, we've got time to switch gears and find what's working. GPS and fish finder help locate structure and bait, but local knowledge of seasonal patterns and tide movements makes the real difference in putting fish in the boat.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard's marshes are absolutely loaded with them. These bronze-backed fighters typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish perfect for the dinner table and occasional bulls that'll test your drag system. Redfish feed aggressively in shallow water, especially during moving tides, and they're not particularly line-shy, making them perfect for anglers still learning the ropes. What makes reds so exciting is their willingness to eat – they'll hit everything from live shrimp to flashy gold spoons, and when they're schooled up in fall months, the action can be non-stop. Speckled trout are another customer favorite, running good numbers throughout spring and fall when water temperatures are optimal. These silvery game fish are incredibly fun on light tackle, with their signature head-shaking fights and acrobatic jumps. Trout in the 14-18 inch range are common, with occasional gator trout pushing over 20 inches for serious bragging rights. Black drum bring the muscle to this fishery – these bottom-dwelling bruisers can push 10-15 pounds and provide some of the strongest fights you'll find in shallow water. They're most active during cooler months and around structure where they forage for crabs and shellfish. Summer flounder round out the slam possibilities, with these flatfish providing excellent table fare and challenging fights as they try to get back to the bottom. Flounder fishing peaks during warmer months when these predators move into shallower feeding areas.
This world-class inshore fishing experience delivers everything serious anglers want – productive waters, experienced guidance, and variety that keeps every cast interesting. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone just getting started with saltwater fishing, this trip provides the perfect introduction to Louisiana's renowned inshore fishery. The 4-angler capacity keeps things comfortable without feeling crowded, and the private charter format means we're fishing your pace and targeting species you're most excited about. St. Bernard's location puts you right in the heart of some of the most productive estuarine habitat on the Gulf Coast, where Mississippi River nutrients create an incredibly rich food chain that supports massive populations of game fish. Book your spot with just a 15% deposit and get ready for a day on the water that showcases exactly why Louisiana inshore fishing has such a legendary reputation among anglers worldwide.
This 23-foot bay boat is built for serious inshore fishing in St. Bernard's productive waters. With a reliable trolling motor for silent approaches to redfish haunts and sonar to mark structure where sea trout hold, you'll have the tech advantage you need. The live well keeps your bait frisky while the fish finder helps locate those schools of speckled trout. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during the 7-hour trip and your fresh fillets chilled on the ride back to the dock. GPS navigation gets you to the best spots quickly, while the VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing reports. The spacious deck gives all four anglers room to work without tangling lines, whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows or drifting oyster reefs for black drum.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These dark-colored fish love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 1-4 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to fish under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom - they can't resist it. The smaller ones have sweet, flaky meat that's worth the fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These drum family members typically run 20-35 inches in our waters and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. Spring and fall are prime time, but they bite year-round here. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water and watching them crush topwater lures. The meat on smaller fish is excellent - mild and sweet. Pro tip: look for nervous water or mud boils on the flats during low light periods. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are hands-down one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-24 inches and put up a great fight on light tackle. You'll find them over grass flats and around oyster bars in 3-8 feet of water, especially during dawn and dusk. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are in the 60-70 degree range. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching one explode on a surface plug at first light. The meat is tender and flakes perfectly, but don't overcook it. My local secret is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around the edges of grass beds on an incoming tide.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and can weigh up to 5 pounds, lying camouflaged waiting to ambush baitfish. You'll find them on soft bottom areas in 10-30 feet of water, especially around structure changes. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. They're sneaky fighters with excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The trick is using a slow drift with live minnows or sea worms on a sliding sinker rig, keeping your bait just off the bottom where they can spot it easily.
St Bernard, LA