Full Day Inshore Fishing in St. Bernard, LA
If you're looking for a solid day of inshore fishing without all the fluff, SaltyFrog Charters has you covered. This 7-hour private trip takes you and one buddy into the productive waters around St. Bernard, Louisiana, where redfish, sea trout, black drum, and summer flounder are just waiting to test your skills. You'll launch at 6 AM from Hopedale Highway, which puts you right in the heart of some of Louisiana's best inshore fishing territory. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while keeping things straightforward and fun. Just bring your Louisiana fishing license, some snacks, drinks, and a small cooler for your cleaned fillets – everything else is handled.
What to Expect on the Water
This trip is all about maximizing your time on productive water. You'll be fishing aboard a well-equipped boat that comfortably handles up to 4 people, but with just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be bumping elbows when the action heats up. The captain will target structure, grass flats, and drop-offs where these inshore species like to hang out. Expect to cover different areas throughout the day as conditions and fish activity dictate – that's just smart fishing. The beauty of a 7-hour trip is having time to really work an area when fish are biting, or move on when they're not cooperating. You'll be back at the dock with cleaned fillets ready for the dinner table, which beats spending your evening with a fillet knife.
Techniques & Tackle
Inshore fishing in St. Bernard waters calls for versatile approaches, and your captain will adjust tactics based on what's working that day. You'll likely be using medium to medium-heavy spinning gear with live bait like shrimp, mud minnows, or croaker, depending on what's available and what the fish are wanting. Artificial lures play a big role too – soft plastics rigged on jig heads work great for redfish and trout, while topwater plugs can create some heart-stopping strikes during the right conditions. The key is reading the water and matching your presentation to the structure you're fishing. Shallow grass flats call for different techniques than deeper channels or oyster reefs. Your captain will handle all the tackle and bait, so you can focus on learning the techniques and putting fish in the boat.
Top Catches This Season
Redfish are the backbone of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-27 inches in these waters and will give you a battle that tests your drag and your patience. They're most active during cooler parts of the day, which is why that early 6 AM start pays off. Redfish love shallow water, especially around oyster reefs and grass edges where they can ambush prey. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut bait, or a well-placed soft plastic. When you hook one, expect multiple runs and don't be surprised if they try to wrap you around structure.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the other staple of these waters. They're typically more finicky than redfish but make up for it with their excellent table fare. Most specks you'll catch run 14-18 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 20 inches. They prefer slightly deeper water than reds and are often found around drop-offs, channel edges, and deeper grass beds. Sea trout are more temperature sensitive, so early morning and late afternoon tend to be prime time. They have softer mouths than redfish, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key to landing your dinner.
Black drum don't get the press that redfish and trout do, but they're incredibly fun to catch and surprisingly good eating when prepared right. These bottom-feeders can range from 2-pound juveniles that fight like fish twice their size up to 15-20 pound adults that will test your tackle. They're suckers for fresh shrimp or crab, especially around structure like bridge pilings, reefs, or channel markers. Black drum are year-round residents, making them a reliable target when other species are being temperamental. Their deep, steady runs are different from the explosive fights of redfish, but no less satisfying.
Summer flounder add variety to your cooler and your fishing experience. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush, lying on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for prey to swim overhead. They typically run 12-16 inches in these waters, though bigger ones are always possible. Flounder fishing requires different techniques – you're usually bouncing bait along the bottom or working soft plastics with a slow, methodical retrieve. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for almost any cooking method. Finding flounder often means covering water and paying attention to bottom composition and depth changes.
Time to Book Your Spot
This trip delivers exactly what it promises – a full day of quality inshore fishing without any unnecessary complications. The 15% deposit makes booking simple, and the 6 AM launch time puts you on the water when fish are most active. Having your fillets cleaned at the end of the trip means you can focus on fishing instead of knife work. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table, introduce someone to Louisiana inshore fishing, or just spend a day doing what you love, this trip checks all the boxes. The private nature means you're not competing with other anglers for space or the captain's attention. Book your dates soon – good inshore fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when these species are most active.