5.0(9 Reviews)Night Bowfishing for Gar & Catfish in Lafitte
5.0(9 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Private 4hour night bowfishing charter for up to three guestsTarget alligator gar and catfish using specialized bow equipmentAll gear, 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 nighttime bowfishing in Lafitte is some of the most exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel setup – we're talking bows, arrows, and bright LED lights cutting through the darkness to reveal monster gar and hefty catfish cruising the shallows. It's a completely different way to fish, and once you try it, you'll understand why so many anglers get hooked on bowfishing. The four-hour private charter takes up to three guests, so you and your crew can learn the ropes without feeling crowded or rushed.
When the sun goes down in Lafitte, that's when the real action starts. Captain Jason fires up those powerful LED lights that transform the dark water into a crystal-clear window where you can spot fish moving below. The boat becomes your floating platform, positioned perfectly for clean shots at cruising targets. You'll be using quality bows equipped with AMS bottle reels – these aren't your hunting bows, they're specifically designed for fishing with smooth line retrieval that makes the whole process way easier. Don't worry if you've never drawn a bow before; Jason walks everyone through the basics and keeps things relaxed while you get comfortable with the setup. The key is staying quiet and ready because when a big gar glides into the light, you want to be prepared to take your shot.
The beauty of this charter is that all the specialized equipment comes included – bows, arrows, reels, and those game-changing LED light systems that make night bowfishing possible. AMS bottle reels are the gold standard for this type of fishing because they let you retrieve your arrow and fish smoothly without tangling line all over the boat. The technique itself is pretty straightforward: spot the fish, aim slightly low to account for water refraction, draw back, and let it fly. Jason and his crew are right there to help with arrow retrieval, whether you nail a fish or accidentally plant one in the mud – it happens to everyone. The lights create this amazing underwater visibility that lets you see fish behavior you'd never notice during daylight hours, and targeting specific species becomes much easier when you can actually watch them move.
"Had a great time with Jason and his some last weekend! Had lots of opportunities and missed more than I want to admit. Jason was a great guide and kept us on fish and his sone was ready and waiting to get them off the arrow(or the arrow out of the mud. Lol)" - Casey. "One the best experiences I have ever been on. I highly recommend taking this tour. Jason is very experienced and knowledgeable about the fish, gators, boats, and more. I know how to use a bow to fish now and what to look for.I look forward to doing this again." - Britt. "Are you kitten me right meow? 😻 Jason & Marcus were amazing and we got our limit. So much fun. They helped every step of the way and both of their personalities made the bow fishing trip even more fun. I was worried about messing up and they both said, "just let it fly!" I'll definitely be a repeat customer. Thanks guys!!" - Jaime.
Alligator gar are the crown jewel of Louisiana bowfishing, and Lafitte's waters hold some real monsters. These prehistoric-looking fish can stretch over six feet long and put up a serious fight once you stick them. They're most active during warmer months and love cruising the shallows at night where your lights can pick them out easily. What makes gar so exciting is their size and the challenge – they're big targets but they move with surprising grace, and landing a trophy gar gives you bragging rights for life. The armored scales and elongated snout make them look like something from another era, which is basically true since they've been around for millions of years.
Channel catfish might not have the prehistoric look of gar, but they're fantastic bowfishing targets that fight hard and taste even better. These whiskered fighters are active year-round in Louisiana waters and often travel in groups, so where you find one, you'll usually spot more. They range from a few pounds up to 20-plus pound slabs that can really test your arrow placement and retrieval skills. Catfish are less spooky than some species, giving you more time to line up a good shot, and they're perfect for beginners learning to judge depth and distance. Plus, they make excellent table fare when Captain Jason cleans and bags your catch at the end of the trip.
Common carp are the workhorses of bowfishing – they're plentiful, good-sized, and always seem to be moving around in the lights. These golden-colored fish can get surprisingly large in Louisiana waters, with 10 to 20-pound specimens being fairly common. They're active throughout most of the year and often feed in shallow areas where they're perfect bowfishing targets. Carp are great for practicing your technique because they're usually not too skittish, and their size makes them easier to hit than smaller species. They also help keep the action steady when the premium fish aren't showing themselves.
Sheepshead bring a different challenge to the bowfishing game with their distinctive black bars and smaller profile compared to gar and big catfish. These structure-loving fish are most active during spring and fall months when they move into shallower waters around pilings, rocks, and other cover. They require more precise shot placement due to their size, making them perfect for anglers who want to test their accuracy. Sheepshead are excellent eating fish with firm, white meat, so they're definitely worth adding to your cooler when the opportunity presents itself.
Redfish occasionally show up during these night bowfishing adventures, and they're
Your night bowfishing adventure starts aboard Captain Jason's 20-foot GatorTail center console, a solid platform built for Louisiana's inshore waters. This boat handles the shallow marshes and backwaters around Lafitte with ease, getting you to prime gar and catfish spots after dark. The center console design gives everyone room to move around safely while drawing back their bows. Bright LED lighting systems flood the water, making it easy to spot your targets gliding through the murky depths. GPS navigation keeps you on course through the maze of channels and bayous. With space for up to three anglers plus the captain, there's plenty of room to spread out and take clean shots without crowding each other. The boat comes equipped with everything needed for a productive night on the water.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator gar are the dinosaurs of our waters - prehistoric beasts that'll make your heart race when you spot one. These armored giants typically run 4-6 feet long and can push 100+ pounds, with those bone-hard ganoid scales and a mouth full of razor teeth. They cruise shallow backwaters and bayous, often rolling at the surface to gulp air with their primitive lung system. Hot summer nights are prime time for bowfishing when they're active and easier to spot under lights. What draws folks to target them is pure bragging rights - landing one of these living fossils is something you'll never forget. They're incredibly tough and can take multiple arrows, so shot placement is critical. Note that it's catch-and-release only by regulation, so we photograph and release these beauties. Pro tip: aim just behind the head on a broadside shot. Their thick scales can deflect arrows, so wait for the perfect angle before drawing back.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are perfect for our night bowfishing trips - they're active feeders after dark and light up great under our LED systems. These slick-skinned fighters typically run 2-8 pounds, though we see some real tanks pushing 20+ pounds in the deeper holes. They love muddy bottoms and slack water areas where they can root around for everything from crawfish to smaller fish. Summer nights are prime time when the water's warm and they're most active. What makes them exciting for bowfishing is they're tough as nails and give you a real challenge with the bow. Their barbels help them hunt in murky water, making them easier targets under lights. The meat's firm and mild when cleaned right - great for frying up fresh. Here's the trick: look for them holding in deeper pockets during the day, then moving shallow at night. Their slime coating makes them slippery, so have your gloves ready.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon carp might not be natives, but they've made themselves right at home in our slower waters and provide solid bowfishing action. These golden-brown bottom feeders typically run 4-15 pounds with stocky builds and barbels like catfish whiskers. They love shallow, muddy areas where they root around stirring up sediment while feeding on everything from aquatic plants to crawfish. Spring and fall are your best bets when they move shallow to feed heavily and spawn in large schools. What guests enjoy is their fighting spirit - they don't give up easy and will test your equipment. Since they're considered invasive here, there's no guilt about harvesting them, plus the meat's actually decent when prepared right. The key is watching for muddy water or bubble trails where they're feeding on the bottom. They spook easily, so approach quiet and take your shot when they're distracted rooting around.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, and they put on a show every time. These copper-colored bruisers with that distinctive black eyespot near the tail typically run 18-30 inches in our shallow marshes and bayous. You'll find them cruising flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially around oyster reefs and grass beds where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively in the shallows. What guests love most is watching their backs break the surface in skinny water - it's pure sight-fishing heaven. They fight like bulldogs once hooked, making drag-screaming runs that'll test your skills. The meat's mild and sweet, perfect for blackening or grilling. My go-to trick is looking for nervous water or muddy spots where they're rooting around feeding. Cast just ahead of the disturbance and work your lure slow along the bottom.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of those fish that'll surprise you with their human-like teeth - seriously looks weird the first time you see one. These "convict fish" with their black and white stripes typically run 1-8 pounds around here, though we've pulled some 15+ pounders off the deeper structures. They love hanging around any hard structure - docks, bridge pilings, oil rigs - anywhere they can scrape barnacles and crabs off the bottom. Spring through early fall gives you the best action when they're feeding heavy before spawning. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with those crushing jaws, so you gotta stay sharp and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale nibble. The meat's sweet and flaky - some of the best eating around if you can get past those tough scales. Pro tip: get your bait tight against the structure and keep it there. They won't chase it far.
5.0 out of 5.0Had a great time with Jason and his some last weekend! Had lots of opportunities and missed more than I want to admit. Jason was a...
One the best experiences I have ever been on. I highly recommend taking this tour. Jason is very experienced and knowledgeable abo...
Are you kitten me right meow? 😻 Jason & Marcus were amazing and we got our limit. So much fun. They helped every step of the way ...
Great guys and great experience! Highly recommend bow fishing with Toombs to anyone!
We took a trip out with captain Jason from toombs adventures and I can not express how professional and experienced he was we shot...
Our trip was so much fun! We can’t wait to do it again!
We had a BLAST on our Bowfishing Charter with Toombs Adventures!! Jason and Marcus truly went above and beyond. They did a great j...
We had a blast!
Excellent experience! Jason is very knowledgeable about the area, worked hard, and put me on the fish. I would highly recommend to...
Lafitte, LA