5.0(1 Reviews)Late Morning Louisiana Marsh Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour private inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutLate morning start with Captain Brad D'Alfonso in Louisiana marshAll equipment provided plus professional fish cleaning service included
Captain Brad D'Alfonso knows the Louisiana marsh waters like the back of his hand, and this 6-hour private charter is your ticket to some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore fishing action. Starting later in the morning, this trip is perfect when you want to skip the pre-dawn wake-up call but still get serious about catching fish. Whether you're nursing a cup of coffee on a chilly winter morning or just prefer a more relaxed schedule, this charter delivers the goods without the early alarm clock. Brad keeps things comfortable and productive, putting you on redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, and black drum while sharing decades of local knowledge that'll make you a better angler.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience – you and up to three buddies get Captain Brad's undivided attention for the entire day. The Louisiana marsh is a maze of shallow bays, grass flats, and oyster reefs that hold fish year-round, and Brad knows every productive spot from memory. He'll have you working structure where the big reds cruise, shallow flats where specks ambush bait, and around pilings where sheepshead love to hang out. The beauty of a late morning start means the sun's up, the air's warming, and fish are actively feeding in their comfort zones. You'll spend your time sight-fishing in skinny water, working live bait around structure, and learning to read the marsh like a local. Brad provides all the tackle, rods, and bait you'll need, plus he'll clean and bag your catch so you can head home with a cooler full of fresh fish. Just bring your Louisiana fishing license, some snacks, and whatever you want to drink – everything else is handled.
The Louisiana marsh demands specific techniques, and Captain Brad's got them all dialed in. You'll be working everything from topwater plugs at first light to live shrimp under popping corks when the bite gets tough. The shallow water here means sight-fishing opportunities where you'll actually see redfish tailing in knee-deep grass beds – it's as close to hunting as fishing gets. Brad runs quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finesse presentations for speckled trout to the hard pulls of bull redfish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself flipping soft plastics into marsh ponds, working gold spoons along drop-offs, or freelining live croakers near structure. The marsh changes with the tides, seasons, and weather, so Brad adjusts tactics on the fly. Winter fishing often means working deeper holes and channels where fish stack up, while warmer months open up the shallow flats for some of the most visual fishing you'll ever experience. He'll teach you to read water color, understand how tides move bait, and recognize the subtle signs that separate good fishing spots from great ones.
Anglers consistently praise Captain Brad's ability to keep them connected with fish while making the experience enjoyable for everyone on board. "Great trip, very well managed by captain Brad. Kept us on the fish and was great company." - Marco Driest. This feedback reflects what you can expect – a captain who knows where the fish are and how to keep the action steady while creating the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes a long day on the water fly by.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana marsh fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most exciting action you'll find in shallow water. Bull reds can push 40+ pounds and will test your drag system when they make their signature runs toward deep water. Redfish feed aggressively in the marsh year-round, but they're particularly active during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels and around structure. What makes them special here is the sight-fishing opportunities – watching a big red cruise through clear water before making your cast is pure adrenaline. They hit everything from live bait to artificial lures, and their fighting ability in shallow water creates some memorable battles.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 1-3 pounds but can reach 5+ pounds when conditions are right. They're most active during cooler months, particularly from October through March, when they gather around deeper holes and channel edges. Specks are finicky feeders that require finesse – they'll test your presentation skills with subtle bites that demand quick hook sets. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to hit artificial lures, making them perfect for light tackle enthusiasts who enjoy the technical side of fishing.
Sheepshead are the marsh's resident structure specialists, hanging around pilings, rocks, and any hard bottom they can find. These black-and-white striped fighters have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish, which means they're notorious bait thieves that'll test your patience. But land one of these 3-5 pound fish and you'll understand why locals target them – they're excellent table fare and surprisingly strong fighters. Sheepshead are most active during their spring spawning run, but the Louisiana marsh holds them year-round around the right structure.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, with mature fish reaching 20-40 pounds regularly. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for natural bait presentations. What makes black drum exciting is their power – they don't jump or make flashy runs, but they'll pull steady and hard like a freight train. Young black drum, called "puppy drum," are excellent eating, while the big bulls provide pure pulling power that'll give your arms a workout.
Southern flounder are the marsh's ambush predators, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting bait to swim by. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes in Louisiana waters, with doormat-sized fish over 5
Captain Brad's 24-foot Blazer Bay cuts through Louisiana marsh waters with ease, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots fast. This 2008 boat handles up to 5 anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to cast without bumping elbows. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on redfish in shallow water, while the fish finder helps locate schools of speckled trout hiding in the grass. GPS keeps you on track through winding marsh channels, and the VHF radio ensures safe communication. Whether you're working live bait around structure for sheepshead or casting topwater for drum, this boat's stable platform makes fishing easier. The spacious deck layout works great for beginners learning to cast and experienced anglers targeting specific spots. Built for Louisiana's inshore waters, she handles everything from open bays to skinny marsh ponds where the big reds like to feed.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marsh, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. They're part of the drum family and make that distinctive croaking sound you'll hear underwater. These fish are built tough with powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths in brackish water. Spring is prime time, especially during spawning season when they school up and are easier to locate. What guests love about drum fishing is the bulldogging fight - they don't jump but they'll drag you around for sure. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. The key to success is getting your bait on the bottom and being patient. Fresh crab is the ticket - soft shells or blue crab cut in half. Use enough weight to hold bottom and wait for that steady pull.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They range from schooling "rat reds" around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30 pounds. These fish love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-3 feet where you can see their backs. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh points. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them consistently year-round. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature - they'll eat almost anything and put up a serious fight with powerful runs. They're also excellent table fare when kept in slot. The cool thing about reds is sight fishing - watching them cruise the shallows and making that perfect cast. My tip: use topwater plugs early morning over shallow flats. When you see that bronze back, cast past them and work the lure back across their path. Hold on tight when they blow up on it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. They're beautiful fish with that spotted pattern and torpedo shape, built for speed in shallow water. You'll find them over grass flats, along drop-offs, and in channels throughout our marsh system. They love structure changes and moving water. Fall and spring are prime seasons, but we catch them year-round - they just move to deeper holes during cold snaps. What makes specks so popular is they hit artificial lures hard, fight well for their size, and are some of the best eating fish around. The meat is tender and flaky, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. My favorite technique is working soft plastics under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is making noise to call them up, then switching to a subtle presentation. Early morning and late evening are magic times when they're feeding actively in the shallows.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our marshes with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth - seriously creepy when you see them up close. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, perfect for the dinner table. These fish are structure junkies, hanging tight around docks, pilings, and any barnacle-covered surfaces where they feed. Winter months are actually great for sheepshead fishing when water temps drop. What makes them challenging and fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, so you need to stay sharp. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's my go-to technique: get as close to structure as possible, use a small hook with fresh shrimp, and when you feel them pecking at the bait, set that hook hard and fast. They've got those crushing teeth, so hesitate and they're gone.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish with both eyes on one side of their head - pretty wild to see the first time. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud on the bottom to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push over 20 pounds. They love shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms throughout our Louisiana marshes. Winter months are prime time when they school up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them fun to target is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - they hit hard and put up a solid fight. The meat is excellent eating too, mild and flaky. Here's the trick: use a slow drift and keep your bait right on the bottom. Live shrimp or bull minnows work best, and don't set the hook too quick - let them run with it a second before you hammer them.
5.0 out of 5.0Great trip, very well managed by captain Brad. Kept us on the fish and was great company.
Louisiana