Half Day Fishing In Port Sulphur, Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing charter in Port Sulphur watersTarget redfish, snapper, trout and black drum speciesExpert guide provided for groups up to 4 guests
Looking for some serious fishing action without burning your whole day? This 4-hour private inshore charter out of Port Sulphur puts you right in the heart of Louisiana's most productive fishing waters. With Southern Express Adventures, you'll work the marshes, channels, and structure where redfish, snapper, and speckled trout love to hang out. Our local captain knows these waters like the back of his hand – every oyster bed, every grass flat, every spot where the fish stack up when conditions are right. We keep groups small at just 4 anglers max, so you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably.
Port Sulphur sits right where the Mississippi River meets some of the richest inshore waters in Louisiana. You'll launch into a maze of productive marsh channels, oil field canals, and natural bayous that hold fish year-round. The area's unique mix of fresh and salt water creates the perfect environment for multiple species, and our captain will move around to find where they're biting best. Expect to fish everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in 2 feet of water to deeper channel edges where black drum and sheepshead lurk around structure. The scenery changes constantly – one minute you're casting to visible redfish in crystal-clear shallows, the next you're working a concrete structure loaded with snapper. Weather plays a big role down here, so we'll adjust our game plan based on wind, tide, and what the fish are doing that day.
We fish light to medium tackle that's perfect for the species you'll encounter. Expect to throw everything from live shrimp under popping corks for speckled trout to cut bait on the bottom for black drum and sheepshead. When we're sight fishing for redfish in the shallows, we'll switch to topwater plugs or soft plastics that drive them crazy. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait – just bring yourself and get ready to fish. Circle hooks are standard for most bottom fishing to protect the resource, and we practice catch and release on oversized fish to keep these fisheries healthy. Live bait works great here, but don't be surprised if artificials outproduce the real thing on certain days. The key is staying versatile and letting the fish tell you what they want.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of this fishery when they're in season. These hard-fighting fish love structure and will test your drag system with their initial runs. Most snapper here run 15-25 pounds, though bigger ones show up regularly. They're incredibly smart and can be picky about bait presentation, but when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. Redfish are year-round residents and the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These copper-colored bulldogs fight like fish twice their size and are perfect for anglers who want consistent action. You'll find them everywhere from shallow flats to deeper bayous, typically ranging from 20-35 inches. Black drum are the giants of the marsh, with fish over 40 pounds common around structure. They're bottom feeders that require patience, but their size and power make them worth the wait. Speckled trout are the most popular target for good reason – they bite aggressively, fight well for their size, and taste fantastic. Peak trout fishing happens in spring and fall when they school up in huge numbers. Sheepshead are the thieves of the marsh, known for stealing bait with their human-like teeth. They're excellent eating and provide great light tackle action around any kind of structure. Jack crevalle show up in schools and turn your reel handle into a blur – pure adrenaline fishing when they're around.
Red snapper are what dreams are made of down here. These reef fish move inshore during warmer months and provide some of the best action you'll find anywhere. They're structure-oriented, so we'll fish around oil platforms, concrete structures, and natural reefs where they congregate. Snapper are notorious for their powerful initial runs and head-shaking fights that'll test your tackle and technique. Best fishing typically happens from late spring through early fall when water temperatures are optimal. What makes them special is their combination of fight, size, and table fare – they're legitimately one of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Redfish are Louisiana's signature species and for good reason. These bronze beauties are built like footballs and fight accordingly, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. They're incredibly adaptable, feeding everywhere from ankle-deep flats to 20-foot channels. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter fishing can be phenomenal when you find them schooled up in deeper water. Redfish are perfect for anglers of all skill levels – they're aggressive enough for beginners to catch but challenging enough to keep experts interested.
Black drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana inshore waters, with fish over 50 pounds lurking around bridges, platforms, and shell reefs. They're bottom feeders that require different tactics than other species – think heavy sinkers, fresh cut bait, and lots of patience. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer when they move shallow to spawn. What makes drum special is their sheer size and pulling power. When a big drum decides to run, there's nothing you can do but hold on and hope your drag is set right.
Speckled trout are the workhorses of Louisiana fishing, providing consistent action when other species are finicky. They're schooling fish that move with baitfish concentrations, feeding most actively during spring and fall migrations. Trout are perfect for light tackle fishing and respond well to both live bait and artificials. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite for families who want to take dinner home. The key to consistent trout fishing is finding the right depth and structure – they
Our upgraded 2023 Champion center console bay boat is your ticket to Port Sulphur's prime fishing waters. This 24-footer handles Louisiana's inshore conditions like a dream, giving you and up to 3 other anglers plenty of room to work the lines for redfish, snapper, and speckled trout. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking shallow water targets, while the fish finder helps locate those deeper schools. Fresh ice keeps your catch and cold drinks perfectly chilled during those hot Louisiana afternoons. With GPS navigation guiding the way to productive spots, this bay boat delivers everything you need for a successful day chasing drum, jack crevalle, and sheepshead in these rich coastal waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of our Louisiana waters - thick, powerful fish that'll give you a real workout. Most run 10-25 pounds, but we catch plenty in the 30-40 pound range around here. They love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and anywhere they can crush shells with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, heavy pull - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. These fish are smart and will test your drag system, so make sure it's set properly before you drop down.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are one of our most sought-after targets, and for good reason. These bright red beauties typically run 2-8 pounds in our waters, though we occasionally hook into 15+ pounders that'll test your drag. They live around structure in 30-80 feet of water - oil rigs, wrecks, and hard bottom areas where they feed on smaller fish and crabs. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active. What makes them special? They fight hard, diving straight down when hooked, and the meat is absolutely top-notch - firm, white, and sweet. Here's a local trick: when you feel that telltale tap-tap of a snapper, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a second or two, then drive that hook home. Fresh squid and cigar minnows work best for bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species - bronze-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails. We catch them from slot-size at 16-27 inches all the way up to bull reds over 30 pounds. They love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times. What guests love is watching these copper-colored fish cruise the shallows and the explosive strikes when they hit topwater lures. Plus they're excellent eating in the smaller sizes. The key to redfish success is being quiet and making accurate casts - they spook easily in shallow water. When you spot a school tailing, cast beyond them and work your bait back through the group. Gold spoons and soft plastics are go-to choices.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species - beautiful spotted fish that hit hard and taste even better. They typically run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice 4-5 pounders. Look for them over grass flats and around oyster reefs in 3-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes trout special is their aggressive strikes on artificial lures and their delicate, sweet meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My best advice: work your lures slowly and don't horse them in - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook easily. Soft plastics under a popping cork are deadly, especially in moving water near drop-offs.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the masters of structure fishing - these black and white striped "convict fish" live around anything vertical in the water. They average 2-5 pounds but can reach 10+ pounds around bridge pilings, docks, and oil platforms. Winter through early spring is when they're thickest, coming in to spawn. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs. The white, flaky meat rivals snapper for table fare. They're picky eaters, so you need to get your bait tight to the structure - sometimes just inches away. Here's the key: when you feel them pecking at your bait, don't rush the hookset. Let them mouth it, then hit them hard when you feel real weight. Fresh shrimp and fiddler crabs work best.
South Louisiana