5.0(9 Reviews)Night Bowfishing Charter in Lafitte Louisiana
5.0(9 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Private 4-hour night bowfishing charter targets gar and catfishLED lights provide clear visibility for accurate bow shotsAll equipment, fish cleaning, and bagging services included
Looking for something completely different on your next fishing trip? Captain Jason Toombs and his crew at Toombs Adventures offer a top-rated night bowfishing charter that puts you right in the thick of Louisiana's legendary inshore waters. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel experience – we're talking bows, arrows, and bright LED lights cutting through the darkness to target some serious fish. Based out of Lafitte, this 4-hour private charter accommodates up to three anglers and delivers the kind of hands-on fishing adventure that keeps people coming back season after season.
Once the sun goes down, Lafitte's waters transform into prime bowfishing territory. Captain Jason runs a specialized setup with powerful LED lighting systems that illuminate the water column, giving you crystal-clear visibility to spot your targets. The boat stays in the shallows where gar cruise the surface and catfish move through their feeding lanes. You'll be standing on deck with a bow equipped with AMS bottle reels – these setups make arrow retrieval smooth and keep you ready for the next shot. The pace can be steady or explosive depending on what's moving, but Jason knows these waters like the back of his hand and positions the boat where the action happens. Don't worry if you've never drawn a bow for fish before – Jason walks you through everything from stance to aiming, and his crew is right there to help pull arrows and get fish off the line. The whole experience feels more like an active hunt than traditional angling, and that's exactly what makes it so addictive.
All your bowfishing equipment comes included, so you can focus on the shots instead of worrying about gear. The bows are set up with proper draw weights for clean kills and equipped with those AMS bottle reels that make everything run smooth. These reels let your arrow fly free but keep it connected with heavy-duty line – no more losing arrows in the mud or watching your shot disappear into the depths. The LED light arrays are positioned to eliminate shadows and give you that perfect view of fish moving below the surface. Technique-wise, it's all about leading your target and accounting for light refraction. Jason coaches you through reading the water, spotting fish movement, and timing your shots. The key is staying ready – gar can appear suddenly and catfish move in patterns, so when you see your opportunity, you need to let it fly. Shot placement matters for clean harvests, and Jason's crew handles all the retrieval work so you stay focused on the next target coming into the lights.
"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. "We had a BLAST on our Bowfishing Charter with Toombs Adventures!! Jason and Marcus truly went above and beyond. They did a great job of putting us on fish, despite the murky waters. They were readily available to help us with our bows and give us pointers. They made the atmosphere so fun and enjoyable. We are hooked and will definitely be back for more!! We had so much fun!" - Brittany Cole.
Alligator gar are the crown jewel of Louisiana bowfishing, and Lafitte's backwaters hold some serious fish. These prehistoric beasts can stretch over four feet and put up a real fight even after you stick them. They cruise the surface at night, especially during warmer months, and their armor-plated bodies make for challenging but rewarding targets. Gar move deliberately, giving you time to line up your shot, but they're tough customers that require good arrow placement. Landing a big gar is something you'll remember for years – they're ancient, powerful, and about as Louisiana as it gets.
Channel catfish provide consistent action throughout the night and make excellent table fare if you're looking to fill the cooler. These fish move in predictable patterns along the bottom structure and edges, often showing up in good numbers once you locate active areas. They're easier targets than gar but still require good shot timing, especially when they're moving through the light spread. Cats average 2-5 pounds in these waters, with occasional fish pushing double digits. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and summer nights when the water temperatures climb.
Common carp might not be the prettiest fish in Louisiana waters, but they're abundant and provide plenty of shooting opportunities. These bottom-feeders often travel in small groups and can be spotted rooting through shallow areas. They're surprisingly strong fish that can give your gear a workout, and they're perfect for practicing your technique since they're relatively common. Carp fishing helps you develop your eye for spotting fish movement and gets you comfortable with the bow setup.
Sheepshead occasionally show up during night sessions, particularly around structure where they feed on shellfish and crustaceans. These black-and-white striped fish are more challenging to spot but offer a different kind of target with their deep-bodied profile. They're excellent eating and provide variety to your night's catch. Redfish sometimes cruise into the lights as well, though they're more common during certain tidal conditions. When reds do show up, they're usually in the slot size range and make for exciting bowfishing targets with their bronze coloring and strong runs.
Captain Jason's night bowfishing charters book up quick, especially during peak season when the fish are most active.
Your night bowfishing adventure launches from a sturdy 20' GatorTail center console that's built for Louisiana's inshore waters. This reliable fishing platform comfortably handles up to 4 anglers and comes equipped with GPS navigation to keep you on target in the marsh. The boat's open layout gives everyone plenty of room to draw their bows and take clean shots at gar and catfish. Bright LED lighting systems cut through the darkness, illuminating the water so you can spot your targets clearly. The GatorTail's shallow draft design lets Captain Jason navigate those skinny backwater spots where the big gar like to cruise. All your bowfishing gear stays organized and within reach, while the boat's stable platform keeps you steady for accurate shooting. After a successful night of arrowing fish, there's room to ice down your catch for the ride back to the dock.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator gar are prehistoric monsters that'll give you a fishing story to remember. These ancient fish can reach 4-6 feet and over 100 pounds in our Louisiana waters, with armor-like scales and rows of razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them in our bayous, backwaters, and river bends, especially around deep holes near shallow feeding areas. Late summer during hot, dry conditions brings the best action when they cruise closer to the surface. What makes gar special is their prehistoric appearance and incredible power - they can breathe air and water, making them unique targets. Note that it's illegal to keep alligator gar, so they're catch-and-release only. For bowfishing success, aim just behind the head and be ready for an explosive fight. These living fossils are worth the challenge just for the experience.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are perfect for our night bowfishing trips - these whiskered fighters are active after dark and make great targets under our LED lights. They typically run 10-20 pounds in our waters, though we've seen some pushing 40-plus. You'll find them in deeper holes, around structure, and along muddy bottoms where they use those barbels to hunt by taste and smell. Summer nights are prime time when they're most active feeding. Guests enjoy targeting channel cats because they're scrappy fighters and the meat is excellent - sweet and firm when prepared right. These slippery fish are tough and put up a solid fight even after being arrowed. Local trick: look for them in the deeper bends near shallow feeding areas, and be ready for their sharp dorsal and pectoral spines when handling them.
Cyprinus CarpioCommon carp might not be native, but they're tough fighters that'll test your gear and patience. These golden-bronze fish average 15-30 inches and 10-20 pounds, with some giants pushing 40-plus. You'll find them in our slower backwaters, shallow bays, and muddy areas where they root around the bottom feeding on just about anything. Spring and fall bring the best action when they move shallow to feed aggressively before and after spawning. Guests enjoy targeting carp because they fight like freight trains - strong, stubborn, and they don't quit easily. While not everyone's favorite on the dinner table, they're perfect for testing your bowfishing skills. Pro tip: look for muddy water where they're actively feeding, and aim carefully since these smart fish spook easily once they sense danger.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular inshore targets, easily spotted by their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These red drum typically run 28-33 inches and love cruising our shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and mud bottoms throughout the year, but they're most active during warmer months. What guests love about redfish is their explosive strikes and strong fights - they'll peel drag and make multiple runs. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, slightly sweet flavor that's perfect grilled or blackened. My go-to tip: look for tailing fish in the shallows during high tide, and use topwater lures early morning for those heart-stopping surface strikes.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are those striped fish with human-like teeth that love hanging around structures. You'll find them averaging 1-8 pounds near docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings in our area. They're tough fighters and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. These "convict fish" get their nickname from those black bars across their gray bodies. They spawn in early spring around February through April, making late winter through spring prime time for targeting them. What makes guests love going after sheepshead is their challenging nature - they're notorious bait stealers with powerful jaws. Pro tip: get your bait as close to structure as possible and set the hook hard when you feel them nibbling, because they'll try to steal your bait every time.
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