Beginner-Friendly Cocodrie Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing charter near CocodrieCaptain Kade provides instruction and gear for firsttime anglersTarget species include Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Sea Trout
Captain Kade knows that everyone starts somewhere, and there's no better place to learn the ropes than Louisiana's productive inshore waters around Cocodrie. This 8-hour charter is built specifically for folks who've never held a fishing rod or those who just want a relaxed day on the water without the pressure. You'll get hands-on instruction in a patient, encouraging environment while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most cooperative fish species. The calm protected waters near Cocodrie provide the perfect classroom for learning basic techniques, and with only 4 guests max, you'll get plenty of personal attention from an experienced local captain.
Your day starts early at the Cocodrie launch, where Captain Kade will walk you through the boat and safety basics before heading out to the productive marshes and shallow bays. These protected waters stay relatively calm even when the Gulf gets choppy, making it ideal for first-timers who might be worried about seasickness. The scenery alone is worth the trip – you'll cruise past cypress-lined channels, oyster reefs, and endless marsh grass that makes this part of Louisiana so unique. Captain Kade has been working these waters for years and knows exactly where to find cooperative fish that'll give beginners the best shot at success. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of time to practice your casting and learn proper fish-handling techniques without feeling rushed.
All the gear is provided, from quality rods and reels matched to the target species down to tackle, bait, and coolers for your catch. Captain Kade starts with the fundamentals – how to hold the rod properly, basic casting techniques, and reading your line for bites. You'll learn to use both live and artificial baits depending on what the fish are hitting that day. The shallow inshore waters around Cocodrie are perfect for sight fishing when conditions allow, meaning you might actually see your target before you cast to it. This adds an exciting visual element that helps beginners understand fish behavior and improve their accuracy. Bottom fishing techniques are also covered, which is often the most productive method for species like Black Drum and Sheepshead around the area's abundant oyster reefs and structure.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing and the perfect species for beginners to target. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18 to 30 inches in Cocodrie waters and are known for their aggressive strikes and strong runs. They're most active during moving tides and can be found around oyster beds, grass flats, and marsh edges year-round, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes Reds perfect for new anglers is their willingness to eat a variety of baits and their fighting ability that's strong enough to be exciting but not overwhelming for smaller hands or inexperienced anglers.
Sheepshead might look odd with their human-like teeth, but they're one of the tastiest fish in these waters and a favorite among local anglers. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like oyster reefs, pilings, and rocks where they feed on barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait thieves, which actually makes them great for teaching beginners how to detect subtle bites and set hooks properly. Most Sheepshead caught around Cocodrie run 2-4 pounds, and they're most abundant during cooler months from November through March when they school up near inshore structure.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the marsh, often reaching impressive sizes that can really test a beginner's arm strength and patience. These bottom-dwellers love oyster reefs and muddy bottoms where they root around for crabs and mollusks. What's great about targeting Black Drum is they're not spooky – they'll often hang around even after you've caught one from the school. They bite consistently throughout the year in Cocodrie waters, with larger specimens more common in spring. Their powerful, bulldogging fight teaches new anglers the importance of proper drag settings and patience when fighting bigger fish.
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are probably the most versatile gamefish in Louisiana waters and perfect for teaching various fishing techniques. These silvery fish with distinctive spots are found over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure throughout the marshes around Cocodrie. They're aggressive predators that will hit both live bait and artificial lures, making them ideal for beginners who want to try different approaches. Sea Trout are most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, and their delicate mouths teach new anglers the importance of not horsing fish to the boat – a valuable lesson for all future fishing adventures.
This beginner-friendly charter fills up quickly, especially during peak fishing months when families are looking for that perfect introduction to Louisiana's world-class inshore fishing. Captain Kade's patient teaching style and knowledge of productive beginner spots around Cocodrie have made this trip a customer favorite among first-time anglers and families with kids. You'll come away with practical skills, confidence on the water, and likely a cooler full of fresh fish for dinner. The memories made on your first successful fishing trip will last a lifetime, and many guests find themselves booking return trips before they even get back to the dock. Ready to get started? Call or text Captain Kade at (985) 859-5711 to secure your spot on this top-rated beginner fishing charter.
Captain Kade's 24' Blue Wave center console is built for beginner-friendly inshore adventures around Cocodrie's calm coastal waters. This 2013 boat packs a serious Yamaha 300hp punch, cruising at 40 knots to get you to the best Redfish and Sea Trout spots quickly. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with room to cast and move around. You'll have everything needed for a successful day on the water - GPS to navigate Louisiana's marshes, fish finder to locate schools, VHF radio for safety, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on wary Black Drum and Sheepshead. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the full 8-hour trip. Perfect setup for families and first-timers to learn proper fishing techniques while exploring some of the Gulf Coast's most productive inshore fishing grounds.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the gentle giants of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the most action. What makes them special is their drumming sound they make underwater, plus they're fantastic eating when kept under 15 pounds. The meat gets tough on bigger ones, so we usually release those. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on the bottom and be patient - they're not aggressive biters, but once hooked, they'll give you a solid fight on light tackle.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 18-30 inches around here, though we occasionally see bulls over 40 inches that'll test your gear. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Fall and spring are prime seasons when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fight that gets everyone excited. They're also great eating in the slot size range. My local trick: look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows, then work a gold spoon slowly through the area. They can't resist that flash and wobble.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots, usually running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our waters. They love grass flats and shallow areas, especially at dawn and dusk when they're most active. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are right - they get sluggish in cold water. What makes them popular with beginners is they're aggressive feeders and great fighters for their size. Plus, they're excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat fried up fresh. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. My best advice: work live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The noise draws them in, and that setup is perfect for learning how to feel the bite and set the hook properly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, running 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They're famous for their human-like teeth and being absolute bait thieves - they'll nibble your bait right off the hook if you're not ready. Winter through early spring is when they're most active around here, staging up before spawning season. What guests love is the challenge - these fish require finesse and quick reflexes to hook. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: get your bait tight to the structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel any nibbling. They've got tough mouths, so don't hesitate when you feel them picking at your bait.
Cocodrie, LA, United States