Beginner-Friendly Cocodrie Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour beginner-friendly inshore fishing charter with patient instructionTarget Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, and Sea Trout speciesAll fishing gear provided for groups up to four guests
Captain Kade knows exactly what it's like to cast your first line – the nerves, the excitement, and that moment when you feel your first bite. His 8-hour beginner fishing charter out of Cocodrie is designed for folks who've always wanted to try their hand at fishing but didn't know where to start. You'll spend the day learning proper techniques while targeting some of Louisiana's most cooperative species in the calm, protected waters around Cocodrie. This isn't about impressing anyone with your skills – it's about relaxing, learning something new, and maybe landing dinner while you're at it.
Your day starts early at the Cocodrie marina, where Captain Kade will get you set up with everything you need. Don't worry about bringing tackle – he's got quality rods, reels, bait, and all the gear sorted out. The first hour is all about getting comfortable with your equipment and learning the basics. Kade will show you how to cast without tangling your line, how to set the hook when you get a bite, and most importantly, how to stay patient when the fish aren't cooperating. The boat stays in calm inshore waters, so you won't be dealing with big waves or rough conditions. These protected marshes and shallow bays around Cocodrie are perfect for beginners because they hold plenty of fish and offer a comfortable learning environment. You'll spend time around oyster reefs, grass flats, and structure where the fish like to hang out.
Captain Kade uses medium-action spinning rods that are forgiving for beginners and won't tire you out during the long day. You'll learn to work with live shrimp, cut bait, and soft plastics depending on what the fish are wanting. The beauty of inshore fishing is that you don't need complicated techniques – a simple Carolina rig or jig head will catch fish all day if you know where to put it. Kade will teach you how to read the water, spot likely holding areas, and feel the difference between a bite and your weight bouncing on the bottom. You'll practice different retrieves, learn when to set the hook, and get comfortable fighting fish without losing them at the boat. The key is building confidence with each catch, and by the end of the day, you'll be handling everything from bait to landing fish like you've been doing it for years.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and they're perfect for beginners because they fight hard but don't require finesse techniques. These copper-colored bruisers hang around oyster bars and grass flats, and they'll eat just about anything you put in front of them. Most of the reds you'll catch will be in the 20-28 inch range – perfect eating size and strong enough to give you a real fight. They're aggressive feeders year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're fattening up or moving to spawn.
Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but they're one of the tastiest fish in these waters. They're structure lovers, so you'll find them around pilings, reefs, and anywhere there are barnacles and oysters to munch on. These fish will test your patience because they're notorious bait stealers – they'll nibble your shrimp down to nothing if you're not paying attention. When you do hook one, they put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size, and the 2-4 pound fish make excellent table fare with their firm, white meat.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the marsh. The smaller ones, called puppy drum, are fantastic eating and perfect for beginners because they don't make long runs or jump around. They're bottom feeders that love crab and shrimp, and they'll usually give you that slow, steady pull that's unmistakable. You'll find them around the same areas as redfish, and they're most active during cooler months when they move into shallow water to feed.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are the most finicky of your target species but also the most rewarding to catch. They have soft mouths, so you'll learn proper hook-setting technique real quick with these fish. They love grass flats and drop-offs, and they're most active during moving tides. The bigger trout are usually caught early morning or late evening, but smaller ones will bite throughout the day. Their delicate flesh makes them a local favorite for fish fries, and landing a good speckled trout is always a memorable moment for new anglers.
This 8-hour beginner charter with Captain Kade is exactly what you need if you've been thinking about trying fishing but haven't taken the plunge. You'll leave with real skills, confidence on the water, and probably some fish for dinner. The patient instruction and quality equipment take all the guesswork out of getting started, and the calm waters around Cocodrie provide the perfect classroom for learning. With only 4 spots available, this top-rated charter fills up quickly, especially during peak season. Give Captain Kade a call or text at (985) 859-5711 to reserve your date and start planning your first real fishing adventure. Whether you're bringing kids, planning a family outing, or just want to try something new, this trip delivers exactly what it promises – a relaxed day on the water with plenty of learning and hopefully some bent rods along the way.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard the 24' Blue Wave, a 2013 center console that's built for Louisiana's inshore waters. With a powerful Yamaha 300hp engine pushing you up to 40 knots, you'll reach the best fishing spots around Cocodrie quickly and smoothly. This boat handles perfectly for beginners – stable enough for first-time anglers to feel confident while learning to cast for Redfish and Sea Trout. The fishfinder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while the wireless trolling motor lets Captain Kade position you quietly over productive waters. GPS navigation ensures you'll always know where the fish are biting, and the VHF radio keeps you connected. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long Louisiana summer days. With room for up to 4 guests, there's plenty of space to move around without bumping elbows while you're learning to bait hooks and fight fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Louisiana's inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths around Cocodrie. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and are easier to find. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make underwater - you'll actually hear them before you see them. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare, but the big bulls are tough eating. My tip: use just enough weight to hold bottom and watch for those subtle taps - they're notorious for stealing bait without you knowing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's poster child - bronze-colored beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches in our waters, living in super shallow flats where you'll see their backs sticking out of the water. They love oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh ponds around Cocodrie, cruising in just 1-4 feet looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What hooks guests is watching them "tail" in skinny water - it's like sight fishing for gold. They fight hard, pulling drag and making long runs. The smaller "slot fish" are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My secret: look for nervous water and mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding below. Throw a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of their path and hold on tight.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "Speckled Trout" as we call them down here, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially around Cocodrie's marsh edges where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. These fish are most active during cooler months and low-light conditions - dawn, dusk, and overcast days are money time. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish you'll find with tender, flaky white meat. The key is not overcooking them since they're more delicate than other species. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp slowly over grass beds and be ready - their bite can be subtle but the fight is worth it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters, sporting those distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth that'll give you a double-take. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles they can munch on. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when they school up around pilings. What guests love is the challenge - these guys are notorious bait thieves who'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. My advice: get your bait right against the structure, keep a tight line, and set the hook hard the instant you feel weight. Use fiddler crab or fresh shrimp, and don't be afraid to scrape some barnacles off nearby pilings to get them feeding.
Cocodrie, LA, United States