5.0(2 Reviews)Night Bowfishing for Gar and Drum in Louisiana
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 4-hour night bowfishing trips for up to four guestsTarget alligator gar and black drum using specialized LED lightingAll equipment, fish cleaning, and bagging services included
Captain Jason Toombs knows these Louisiana waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why night bowfishing is one of the most addictive ways to target fish. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel fishing trip – you'll be hunting fish with specialized bows under the cover of darkness, spotting targets with high-powered LED lights that turn murky lake water crystal clear. It's part fishing, part hunting, and 100% pure adrenaline when you draw back that bow and take aim at a monster alligator gar cruising just below the surface.
Your 4-hour private charter accommodates up to four anglers, making it perfect for a small group looking to try something totally different. Captain Jason provides all the specialized bowfishing equipment, including bows fitted with AMS bottle reels that make arrow retrieval a breeze – no more losing expensive arrows to snags or deep water. The boat's LED lighting system transforms the night fishing experience, illuminating the water column so you can clearly see fish movement and behavior patterns. You'll cruise Louisiana's productive lakes targeting alligator gar, black drum, catfish, and other species that become active after dark. The captain handles all the fish cleaning and bagging at the end of your trip, so you can focus entirely on perfecting your aim and enjoying the unique challenge of bowfishing. Don't forget to grab your Louisiana fishing license online before the trip – it's required for all participants.
Bowfishing combines archery skills with fish behavior knowledge, creating a sport that's both challenging and rewarding. The specialized bows used on this trip are designed specifically for aquatic targets, with heavier draw weights and reinforced construction to handle the resistance of water. AMS bottle reels attach directly to the bow and contain heavy fishing line connected to barbed arrows – when you hit a fish, the line feeds out smoothly while the bottle acts as a drag system. The key technique involves understanding light refraction in water, which makes fish appear slightly different from their actual position. Captain Jason will coach you through proper aiming techniques and help you account for the optical illusion created by shooting through water. The high-powered LED lights create shadows and contrast that make it easier to spot fish movement, and you'll learn to identify different species by their swimming patterns and body shapes before taking your shot.
"I was in Louisiana for work and had a free night before flying home. Jason reached out and had an extra spot on his boat and let me jump on. I got my limit in reds right away and saw hundreds more. I was able to go after a few more species on my bucket list as well . Marcus his deck hand was also great and was awesome to talk with while fishing." - Mitch
"What an experience for us! Jason made the trip so good. There was some challenging weather conditions with changing water levels and blowing wind but Jason put us on the fish. His boat control in the wind was amazing. We'd go again, and highly recommend Jason. Great trip!" - Matthew
Black drum are excellent bowfishing targets because they often cruise in shallow water at night, searching for crabs and shellfish along muddy bottoms. These fish can reach impressive sizes in Louisiana waters, with mature adults weighing 20-40 pounds being common targets. They're most active during warmer months and tend to move into shallower areas after sunset, making them perfect for bowfishing. Black drum provide excellent table fare when properly prepared, and their size makes them satisfying targets for bowfishing enthusiasts looking for a substantial catch.
Sheepshead become more accessible to bowfishers at night when they venture away from structure to feed in open water. Known for their human-like teeth and incredible bait-stealing abilities with traditional rod-and-reel fishing, they're much easier to target with a bow. These fish are prized for their excellent eating quality and can be found year-round in Louisiana waters, though they're most active during spring and fall months. Their distinctive black stripes make them easy to identify under LED lights, and they typically weigh 2-8 pounds.
Redfish are aggressive nighttime feeders that often cruise shallow flats and lake edges after dark, making them prime bowfishing targets. Louisiana's redfish population is world-class, and these copper-colored fish provide both sport and excellent table fare. They're active year-round but peak during fall months when they school up for spawning runs. Redfish typically range from 20-35 inches in Louisiana waters, and their distinctive spot patterns and bronze coloration make them easy to identify under artificial lights.
Blue catfish are abundant in Louisiana's lake systems and become very active nighttime feeders, often moving into shallower water to hunt for food. These fish can reach massive sizes, with specimens over 50 pounds being caught regularly in Louisiana waters. They're most active during warmer months and provide excellent eating, especially in the 5-15 pound range. Blue catfish are aggressive feeders and often create surface disturbances that make them easy to spot with bright LED lighting systems.
Alligator gar are the holy grail of bowfishing targets – prehistoric fish that can exceed 6 feet in length and provide the ultimate challenge for bowfishing enthusiasts. Louisiana has some of the best alligator gar fishing in the world, and these ancient fish become more active at night when they cruise shallow areas hunting for prey. They're most active during summer months when water temperatures are warmest. Alligator gar are living fossils with armor-like scales and massive size that makes them bucket-list targets for serious bowfishers. Their distinctive long snout and massive body make them easy to identify, and landing a big gar is an experience you'll never forget.
Captain Jason's night bowf
You'll be fishing from Captain Jason's reliable 20' GatorTail center console, perfectly set up for night bowfishing on Louisiana's productive lakes. This sturdy boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers and comes equipped with high-powered LED lighting systems that cut through the darkness to reveal gar, drum, and catfish lurking below the surface. The center console design gives everyone clear shooting lanes while maintaining stability for accurate bow shots. GPS navigation keeps you on the best fishing spots throughout the 4-hour trip, while the boat's shallow-water capabilities let you access those prime backwater areas where big alligator gar like to cruise. All bowfishing gear, including specialized bows and AMS reels, stays organized and ready on deck. After a successful night of arrowing fish, there's plenty of room for your catch, and the captain handles all the cleaning and bagging so you head home with coolers full of fresh fillets.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator gar are prehistoric monsters that can reach 6+ feet and over 100 pounds - they're the stuff of fishing legends. With their long snouts full of needle-sharp teeth and armor-like scales, they look like something from the dinosaur age. These ancient fish hang in deep river bends and backwaters, often near shallow feeding areas where they can ambush prey. They're air-breathers, so you'll see them rolling on the surface, especially in hot summer weather. Late summer during dry spells is prime time when they concentrate in deeper holes. Guests love the challenge and the chance to see these living fossils up close - there's nothing else like them. The armored scales make them tough to penetrate, so shot placement is critical. Watch for them cruising near the surface at dusk - that's when they're most active and easiest to spot.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are powerful fish that can range from 5 to 30 pounds, though some monsters hit 90+ pounds. They're called drums because they actually make drumming sounds, especially during spawning season in spring when they school up in shallow water. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in brackish areas. Their strong jaws crush shellfish all day, so they put up a solid fight when hooked. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat, while the big ones get tough and stringy. Spring is prime time when they gather to spawn and are easier to target. Pro tip: use fresh crab bait - it stays on the hook better than softer baits and catfish won't steal it as quickly.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlues are the largest catfish in North America, averaging 25-46 inches and often hitting 80+ pounds in Louisiana lakes. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat anything - crawfish, mussels, baitfish, even birds that get too close to the surface. You can tell them from channel cats by their squared-off anal fin and that distinctive dorsal hump. They prefer deep holes and channels near muddy bottoms, especially around tidal creeks where they follow water movement. Night fishing produces the best results when they're most active. What guests love is the powerful fight these fish put up - they're strong swimmers that'll test your gear. The meat is firm and mild when cleaned properly. My go-to tip: use fresh-cut herring or sardines and let it hit bottom, then wait. Blues are scavengers that take time to investigate, so patience pays off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight-fishing favorites that cruise Louisiana's shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing. You'll spot them by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail - those spots fool predators into attacking the wrong end. Most run 20-30 inches, but bulls over 40 inches and 50 pounds roam these waters. They love muddy bottoms around oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh edges. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their strong runs in shallow water. The slot-size fish make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: look for nervous water or "pushing" wakes in calm conditions - that's usually redfish feeding just under the surface in super shallow water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters - gray bodies with dark vertical stripes and those famous human-like teeth. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do show up. These guys live around any structure they can find - docks, bridges, pilings, oil rigs - anywhere with barnacles to munch on. They're notorious bait thieves, nibbling to loosen your hook before committing, so you've got to stay alert. Spring brings the best action when they spawn around structures in February through April. The meat is sweet and white, making them excellent eating despite being tough to clean with those sharp spines. My advice: get your bait right against the structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
5.0 out of 5.0I was in Louisiana for work and had a free night before flying home. Jason reached out and had an extra spot on his boat and let m...
What an experience for us! Jason made the trip so good. There was some challenging weather conditions with changing water levels a...
Lafitte, LA