5.0(8 Reviews)Louisiana Inshore Fishing with Captain Brad
5.0(8 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Full-day private inshore fishing charter with Captain Brad D'AlfonsoTarget redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepsheadAll equipment provided plus fish cleaning and bagging service
When you're looking to fish Louisiana's legendary marsh waters, Captain Brad D'Alfonso delivers the kind of day that keeps anglers talking long after the last cast. This 8-hour private charter puts you right in the heart of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters, where redfish prowl the shallows and speckled trout stack up in the cuts. With room for up to four anglers, it's perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to serious fishing or groups of friends ready to load the cooler with fresh Gulf Coast seafood.
Captain Brad knows these Louisiana marshes like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod. The boat leaves the dock early, and you'll spend the next eight hours working everything from grass flats to deeper channels where the big drum like to hang out. This isn't a cattle boat situation - with just four spots available, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without bumping elbows. The captain provides all your rods, reels, bait, and tackle, plus he'll clean and bag your catch at the end of the day so you can head home with dinner ready for the freezer. Don't forget to grab your Louisiana fishing license before you show up, and pack whatever drinks and snacks you'll want during the day since meals aren't included.
Louisiana inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Brad runs quality gear that can handle everything from finesse fishing with soft plastics to chunking cut bait for the bigger drum and redfish. You'll work the grass beds with topwater plugs early in the morning when the trout are aggressive, then switch to live shrimp or croaker when the fish get finicky as the sun climbs higher. The marsh offers incredible variety - one minute you're sight-fishing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're dropping down to structure for sheepshead or working a channel edge for flounder. The boat stays in protected waters, so even when the Gulf gets rough, you're fishing in comfort while targeting species that call these marshes home year-round.
"Great guide. Professional and personable. Great communication ahead of the trip." - Bryan Cobb. "Me, my dad and sons had a great time with Capt Brad. Would highly recommend him for a great fishing experience." - dusty smith. "Outstanding fishing trip! Took three of my grandsons and caught lots of nice fish!! Capt. Brad was patient and very helpful with them. Everyone had a great time!" - Hugh Till. "Fantastic trip with Capt. Brad! Forecast was horrible but he managed to keep us dry most of the day and put us right on the fish. Very personable and friendly, top notch equipment, and nobody works harder than him on the water when the fish turn on and the action gets chaotic. From trying to bait every hook, to unhooking every fish, to making sure everyone is having a great time, Capt. Brad absolutely exceeded all of our expectations for our trip. Will definitely be at the top of our list for future bookings!" - Troy Thibodeaux.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight like they're twice their size. Most Louisiana reds run between 18 and 27 inches, perfect eating size, and they're aggressive enough to hit everything from topwater plugs to live bait. Spring through fall offers the best action, but these fish bite year-round in the marsh. What makes reds so exciting is their willingness to eat in shallow water where you can watch the whole fight unfold.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana fishing. These beautiful spotted fish typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator trout" pushing 25 inches or better. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, but you can catch them throughout the year by adjusting your techniques. Specks have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than brute force, and they're absolutely delicious on the table.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, with fish commonly reaching 20 to 40 pounds in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love crab, shrimp, and cut bait, and when a big drum takes off, it's like hooking a submarine. The smaller "puppy drum" make excellent eating, while the larger fish provide memorable battles before release. Fall and winter months typically produce the biggest drum, though they're catchable year-round.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of Louisiana waters, lying flat on the bottom and perfectly camouflaged until they explode on your bait. These flatfish typically run 14 to 18 inches and are considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're most active during their fall migration when they head to deeper water to spawn, but summer fishing around structure and channel edges can be productive too.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped specialists of Louisiana's inshore scene, famous for their incredible ability to steal bait and their excellent table fare. These fish rarely exceed 5 pounds but make up for size with attitude and flavor. They're structure-oriented fish that love crabs and shrimp, and catching them requires patience and quick reflexes. Spring months offer the best sheepshead action when they move shallow to spawn around pilings and rocks.
This isn't your typical party boat fishing - it's a legitimate Louisiana marsh experience with a captain who's built his reputation on putting clients on fish and making sure everyone has a great day on the water. Between the variety of species, the quality equipment,
Captain Brad's 24' Blazer Bay is your ticket to Louisiana's prime inshore fishing grounds. This 2008 motorboat packs a serious 300hp Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 38 knots across the marsh. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on those spooky redfish, GPS to navigate the maze of Louisiana waterways, VHF radio for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of speckled trout hiding in the grass. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone room to cast without tangling lines. Whether you're working the shallow flats for reds or drifting deeper cuts for black drum, this boat handles Louisiana's diverse inshore waters like a champ. Perfect for families or small groups looking to experience authentic marsh fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our Louisiana marshes, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters reaching 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and anywhere they can crush shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth - you'll actually hear them crunching shells underwater. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in shallow water. What guests love about drum fishing is the solid, bulldogging fight - they don't jump, but they'll test your drag and make long runs. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent eating with firm, white meat, while the big ones are better released. They're also surprisingly spooky for such large fish, so approach quietly. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on a fish finder rig, and when you get a bite, don't set the hook immediately - let them run with it for a few seconds first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that can fool predators. Our slot fish run 16-27 inches and typically weigh 3-8 pounds, though we see plenty of oversized "bulls" over 27 inches in deeper water. These fish love shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They're year-round residents, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love redfish because they eat almost anything, fight hard with powerful runs, and the slot-sized ones make excellent table fare. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing too - watching a red slowly cruise the shallows before crushing your lure never gets old. Pro tip: when targeting reds on shallow flats, approach quietly and cast well ahead of cruising fish. They spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Louisiana's most popular inshore species, and for good reason. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive spots typically run 14-18 inches, though we regularly catch "gator trout" over 4 pounds during prime conditions. They love grass flats, marsh edges, and areas with moving water where they feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Spring and fall offer the hottest action, but they bite year-round - summer nights can be phenomenal. What makes trout fishing special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky meat. The fight is fun too - they'll jump and make good runs on light tackle. Water temperature is key - they're most active when it's between 65-75 degrees. My go-to technique is a popping cork with live shrimp, worked slowly over grass beds. The key is making minimal noise and letting the cork do the work.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're famous for having human-like teeth that can crack barnacles and oysters. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, though we catch some beauties over 5 pounds around dock pilings and oil rigs. They're structure-oriented fish that rarely venture far from cover, so we fish tight to whatever structure we find them on. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily. Guests love the challenge - sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with light bites that require patience and quick reflexes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. My secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp and keep your bait right on the bottom near structure. When you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings perfectly. You'll typically find them ranging 15-18 inches, though we've seen some beauties push over 25 inches. They love shallow waters around Louisiana's marshes, especially near creek mouths and grass beds where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall through early spring offers the best action when they're actively feeding before their offshore spawning run. What makes flounder special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they're absolutely delicious table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
5.0 out of 5.0Great guide. Professional and personable. Great communication ahead of the trip.
Me, my dad and sons had a great time with Capt Brad. Would highly recommend him for a great fishing experience.
Dusty, Thank you for the awesome review!! You guys were a pleasure to have aboard and put a mess of ...
Me, my dad and sons had a great time with Capt Brad. Would highly recommend him for a great fishing experience
Dusty, Thank you for the awesome review!! You guys were a pleasure to have aboard and put a mess of ...
Me, my dad and sons had a great time with Capt Brad. Would highly recommend him for a great fishing experience
dusty, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Outstanding fishing trip! Took three of my grandsons and caught lots of nice fish!! Capt. Brad was patient and very helpful with ...
Me, my dad and sons had a great time with Capt Brad. Would highly recommend him for a great fishing experience.
Dusty, Thank you for the awesome review!! You guys were a pleasure to have aboard and put a mess of ...
Fantastic trip with Capt. Brad! Forecast was horrible but he managed to keep us dry most of the day and put us right on the fish. ...
Louisiana