5.0(1 Reviews)Night Bowfishing in Lafitte with Captain Jason
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour night bowfishing trip targeting gar and redfishAll bowfishing equipment and fish cleaning services includedLED lights illuminate water for beginnerfriendly guided experience
There's something magical about bowfishing under the Louisiana stars, and Captain Jason Toombs knows exactly how to make your first night on the water count. This 4-hour private trip takes you into the heart of Lafitte's productive marshes, where LED lights cut through the darkness to reveal some serious targets lurking below. Whether you've never held a bow or you're looking to try something completely different from traditional rod-and-reel fishing, this guided experience puts you right in the action with all the gear and know-how you need.
Captain Jason runs a relaxed but focused operation that's perfect for beginners wanting to dive into bowfishing. You'll head out as the sun goes down, when the real action starts heating up in these shallow Louisiana waters. The boat gets rigged with powerful LED lighting systems that illuminate the bottom like a natural aquarium, making it easy to spot your targets cruising through the grass beds and muddy flats. This isn't your typical casting and waiting kind of fishing – bowfishing keeps you on your feet, bow in hand, scanning the water for that perfect shot opportunity. The whole setup accommodates up to two anglers, so you'll get plenty of individual attention and coaching from Jason throughout the night.
The specialized bowfishing equipment makes all the difference out here, and Captain Jason provides everything you need to get started. These aren't your typical hunting bows – they're set up specifically for water work with AMS bottle reels that make arrow retrieval a breeze. The arrows are designed to penetrate water and secure your catch, while the reel system lets you fight fish just like you would with conventional tackle. Jason walks you through the basics of aiming below your target to account for light refraction, timing your shot when fish pause, and how to handle the bow safely on a moving boat. The learning curve isn't steep, but having an experienced guide calling shots and positioning the boat makes your success rate climb fast. Plus, Jason handles all the fish cleaning and bagging, so your catch goes home ready for the table.
"My husband and I had a blast bow fishing with Captain Jason. It was our first time bow fishing and Jason did a great job teaching us how to use the bow. Captain Jason is fun and down to earth. Not only would we recommend is charters but we would book with him again." - Brittany
Black Drum show up in good numbers throughout these marshes, especially during cooler months when they move into the shallows to feed. These fish can run anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds, and they're surprisingly spooky for bowfishing targets. The trick is getting your shot off quick when they pause to root around in the mud for crabs and worms. Black drum make excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying up Louisiana-style.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana bowfishing, and Lafitte's grass flats hold some real quality fish. These copper-colored beauties cruise the shallows year-round, but fall and winter nights often produce the most consistent action. Reds between 20 and 30 inches make perfect targets – they're big enough to provide a good challenge but still within the slot limit for keeping. Their broad sides and slower swimming speed give beginners plenty of opportunity to line up good shots, and they fight hard once arrowed.
Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish both frequent these waters, particularly around structure and drop-offs where the lights attract baitfish. Cats can be tricky bowfishing targets since they often hold tight to the bottom, but when you connect on a good one, you're looking at some of the best eating fish in Louisiana waters. Blues can get massive – 20 to 40-pound fish aren't uncommon – while channels typically run smaller but are more active in the shallows where bowfishing works best.
Alligator Gar represent the ultimate bowfishing prize in Louisiana waters. These prehistoric fish can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 100 pounds swimming these same marshes. Gar are ambush predators that often sit motionless near the surface, making them ideal targets once you spot them in the lights. Their ancient armor plating and massive size create an adrenaline rush like nothing else in freshwater bowfishing. Even smaller gar in the 20 to 50-pound range provide plenty of excitement and make for impressive photos.
Captain Jason's night bowfishing trips fill up fast, especially during prime fall and winter months when fish activity peaks in the shallows. This top-rated experience gives you everything needed for a successful first bowfishing adventure – expert instruction, quality equipment, and access to some of Louisiana's most productive waters. Don't forget to grab your Louisiana fishing license online before the trip, pack some bug spray, and get ready for a completely different kind of fishing experience. Book your private 4-hour night bowfishing trip today and discover why so many anglers are trading their rods for bows in these legendary Louisiana marshes.
Atractosteus SpatulaAlligator gar are the prehistoric monsters that make bowfishing legendary around here. These armored giants stretch 4-6 feet and can weigh over 100 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and bone-hard scales that look like they're straight out of the dinosaur age. You'll find them in our deeper bayous, backwaters, and river bends where they cruise near the surface gulping air - they can actually breathe above water. Late summer is best when hot weather pushes them into shallower areas where we can spot them with the lights. What makes them special is they're living fossils and the ultimate trophy - catching one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Note that you can't keep gar in Louisiana, so it's catch-and-release only. Pro tip: when you see one, take your time with the shot - those thick scales can deflect arrows, so aim for the soft spot just behind the head.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. You'll find them cruising muddy flats, oyster beds, and around structure in our brackish waters. They use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish, making that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the most action. These fish put up a solid fight and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The bigger fish get tough and stringy, so we usually release those giants. Pro tip: when bowfishing at night, look for their dark backs in shallow water near oyster reefs - they'll be rooting around in the mud making clouds you can spot with our LED lights.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants of our catfish family - these slate-blue bruisers can hit 40-80 pounds and will really test your bowfishing skills. They patrol deeper channels and holes in our river systems, especially around tidal creeks where they follow the current looking for baitfish and crabs. Summer through fall is prime time when they move into shallower areas at night to hunt. What makes them exciting targets is their size and fight - landing a big blue cat with a bow is something you'll remember. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's less "muddy" tasting than other catfish. These opportunistic feeders will hit just about anything, making them reliable targets. Local tip: look for them in the deeper bends of bayous and channels where the bottom drops off - they like to ambush prey from these spots and that's where you'll get your best shots.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats are solid fighters that'll give you a good workout on the bow. These whiskered bottom-dwellers typically run 2-10 pounds, though we see some 20+ pounders that'll really test your gear. They love hanging around submerged logs, creek channels, and muddy holes where they scavenge for anything edible. Night fishing is perfect for them since that's when they're most active, moving into shallower water to feed. What guests love about channel cats is they're always hungry and make excellent eating - firm, white meat that's great fried or blackened. Plus they're tough as nails and put up a scrappy fight. Here's something most folks don't know: their whole body is covered in taste buds, so they'll find your shot even in murky water. When bowfishing, aim for the deeper holes and channels where they stack up during the day.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for bowfishing - they cruise super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface. These copper-colored beauties with the distinctive black spots near their tail typically run 20-35 inches in our Louisiana waters. You'll spot them around grass flats, oyster beds, and muddy bottoms where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. They're active year-round here, but warmer months are best for night bowfishing when they move into the shallows to feed. What makes them special is that explosive fight and great eating - mild, sweet meat that's hard to beat. They're also pretty forgiving for beginners since they don't spook as easily as some species. When you're scanning with the lights, watch for that reddish gleam and look for groups - they often travel in small schools, especially around structure.
5.0 out of 5.0My husband and I had a blast bow fishing with Captain Jason. It was our first time bow fishing and Jason did a great job teaching ...
Lafitte, LA