5.0(3 Reviews)Louisiana Inshore Fishing with Captain Brad
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour inshore fishing charter for up to 3 guestsTarget redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepsheadAll equipment provided plus fish cleaning and bagging included
Picture yourself drifting through Louisiana's legendary marsh country, casting into productive waters where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up around structure. Captain Brad D'Alfonso has been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly where to put you on fish. This 8-hour private charter aboard his well-equipped 24' bay boat gives you and two buddies the full Louisiana inshore experience – complete with all the gear, local knowledge, and fish cleaning services you need for a successful day on the water.
Captain Brad runs a tight operation that focuses on putting fish in the box while showing you the real Louisiana marsh experience. You'll launch early and spend the day working prime inshore spots where multiple species feed and hold throughout the seasons. The beauty of Louisiana fishing is the variety – you might start the morning sight-fishing redfish in skinny water, then move to deeper pockets for black drum, and finish the day targeting speckled trout around grass beds or shell reefs. Brad provides all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle, so you can focus on fishing instead of rigging. At the end of the day, he'll clean and bag your catch so you can head home with fresh fillets ready for the dinner table. Just bring your valid Louisiana fishing license, plenty of drinks and snacks for the long day, and get ready to see why these waters have built such a reputation among serious anglers.
Louisiana inshore fishing is all about reading water conditions, understanding tides, and knowing where fish move throughout the day. Captain Brad's 24' bay boat is perfectly suited for these waters – shallow enough to access the back marsh where big redfish prowl, but stable enough to handle rougher water when you need to make longer runs to productive areas. You'll likely work a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on conditions and what's biting. Popular techniques include throwing topwater plugs at first light for explosive redfish strikes, working soft plastics around oyster reefs for trout, and bottom fishing with fresh shrimp or cut bait for black drum and sheepshead around structure. The Louisiana marsh system offers endless fishing opportunities, from grassy flats that hold feeding redfish to deeper channels where flounder ambush baitfish. Brad's local knowledge means you'll fish the most productive spots based on current conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns that only come from years of working these waters daily.
"Captain Brad is everything you would hope for out of a Chartered Guide in Southeast Louisiana. He provides a lifetime of knowledge on these waters into a successful trip, every time. Clean and well kept 24' Bay Boat loaded down with everything you need. Enjoy the best of Southeast Louisiana, fill a box and make a friend!" - Alex
"Great trip, guide was professional, prepared, knew the spots and how to get us on fish, it was a great time!!" - Jesse Barth
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. These fish feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster reefs and grass flats during moving tides. Louisiana reds typically run 20-30 inches, with plenty of bull reds over the slot pushing 35+ inches. They're year-round residents, but fall months often produce the most consistent action as baitfish concentrate in the marsh. Anglers love reds because they eat almost anything – live shrimp, cut mullet, soft plastics, or topwater plugs – and their powerful runs and stubborn fights make every hookup memorable.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread-and-butter fish of Louisiana's inshore scene. These spotted predators school up around structure, grass beds, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall typically offer the best trout fishing, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and occasional "gator trout" pushing 4+ pounds. Specks are structure-oriented fish that respond well to live bait fished under popping corks or soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. Their delicate mouths require finesse, but their excellent table fare makes them a favorite target for anglers who want to fill the cooler with quality eating fish.
Black drum are the heavy hitters of the Louisiana marsh, with mature fish weighing 20-40 pounds and providing arm-burning fights in shallow water. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster reefs and shell beds, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Peak drum fishing typically occurs during cooler months when big fish move into shallower areas to feed. Anglers target them with fresh shrimp, blue crab, or cut bait fished tight to structure. Black drum fights are all about power and endurance – they won't jump or make blazing runs, but they'll use their broad sides and strong bodies to bulldoze toward any available cover.
Southern flounder are masters of camouflage that ambush prey from sandy bottoms and muddy flats throughout the Louisiana marsh system. These flatfish typically range 14-20 inches, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds providing exciting catches for anglers who know where to look. Fall months bring the best flounder action as fish fatten up before their offshore spawning migration. Live mud minnows, finger mullet, or soft plastics dragged slowly along the bottom are go-to techniques. Flounder fights might not be spectacular, but their excellent eating quality and the skill required to locate them consistently make them a prized catch among local anglers.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're renowned for their bait-stealing abilities around structure. These fish have human-like teeth perfectly
Your fishing platform for this Louisiana marsh adventure is a reliable 24' Blazer Bay powered by a 300hp Yamaha outboard that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 38 knots. This 2008 vessel gives you and two other anglers plenty of room to work the rods while Captain Brad navigates the shallow waters where redfish and speckled trout like to hang out. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate schools, VHF radio for safety, and a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly into those skinny areas where big fish feed without spooking them. Perfect setup for working Louisiana's maze of marshes, channels, and flats where the best inshore action happens.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marsh, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, making sounds you can actually feel through the boat. They're incredible fighters that will test your drag system, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. Larger fish tend to be tough and wormy, so we usually release the big ones. The key is using fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom - they're nose-down feeders. Keep your rod tip up and be patient; they'll often pick up the bait and move with it before actually eating it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature game fish, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds in our marshes, though we occasionally find bigger bulls. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love them because they fight like trucks, make dramatic topwater strikes, and provide excellent table fare when kept at legal size. They're also forgiving for beginners since they'll eat almost anything. My go-to technique is working gold spoons or soft plastics along grass lines during moving tides. Watch for "pushing" water or nervous baitfish - that's usually reds feeding below.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats, shallow bays, and around structure feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures, decent fight, and excellent eating quality - soft, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great for beginners since they're pretty aggressive. The trick is not to overcook them since their meat is delicate. For fishing, work topwater plugs early and late, or bounce soft plastics along grass edges during the day. When the water's cold, look for them in deeper channels and holes where they'll stack up in schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the sneaky convicts of our waters with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but don't let their size fool you - they're notorious bait thieves. These fish hang around any structure with barnacles: docks, pilings, oil rigs, and jetties. Spring brings the best action when they move in thick to spawn around structures. What guests love is their challenge - they require finesse and quick reflexes, plus they're outstanding table fare with sweet, white meat. The tough part is their habit of nibbling bait clean off your hook. I always tell folks to use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and the moment you feel any weight or tapping, set that hook hard. Don't wait for a big pull because you'll just be reeling in bare hooks.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we occasionally hook into specimens pushing 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and around marsh edges where they blend perfectly with the bottom. Fall and winter are prime time when they're actively feeding before moving offshore. What makes them special is their unique appearance and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also surprisingly strong fighters for a flatfish. My trick is to work your bait slowly along the bottom and watch for subtle taps rather than hard strikes. They'll often just mouth the bait, so stay ready to set the hook at the slightest weight change.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Brad is everything you would hope for out of a Chartered Guide in Southeast Louisiana. He provides a lifetime of knowledge...
Pete thank you again and Happy Birthday!! Great trip with you and I hope we can do it again!!-Capt. ...
Great trip, guide was professional, prepared, knew the spots and how to get us on fish, it was a great time!!
Louisiana