Cocodrie Inshore Fishing for Skilled Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targets redfish, trout, and drumAdvanced tactics designed specifically for experienced anglersCaptain Kade provides expert guidance in productive coastal waters
If you're looking to put your fishing skills to the test in some of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters, this 8-hour charter with Wicked South Charters is exactly what you need. Captain Kade knows these Cocodrie waters like the back of his hand, and he's not here to babysit beginners – this trip is built for anglers who already know their way around a rod and reel. You'll be targeting four of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species: redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, and black drum. With a maximum of four guests, you get personalized attention and prime fishing spots without the crowds. Everything's included – quality tackle, fresh bait, fishing licenses, ice, and water – so you can focus entirely on what you came here to do: catch fish.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip where you drop a line and hope for the best. Captain Kade will push your angling abilities with advanced techniques that separate weekend warriors from serious fishermen. You'll work structure around Cocodrie's extensive marsh system, reading water conditions and adjusting your approach based on tides, weather, and fish behavior. The calm inshore environment gives you perfect conditions to practice finesse fishing – whether that's working soft plastics around oyster beds for sheepshead or sight-fishing redfish in shallow grass flats. Expect to move between multiple spots throughout the day as Captain Kade follows the bite. These productive coastal waters hold fish year-round, but knowing exactly where and how to target them takes local knowledge and experience. You'll learn why certain baits work better in specific conditions and how to present lures that trigger strikes from educated fish that see plenty of pressure.
The tackle setup on this charter reflects the serious nature of the fishing. You'll be using quality spinning reels spooled with braided line for maximum sensitivity and hook-setting power. Depending on conditions and target species, Captain Kade will have you working everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs. The key to success in these waters is presentation and timing. You might be flipping jigs into tight pockets around downed timber for black drum, or making long casts to cruising redfish in skinny water. The boat is equipped with a shallow-draft hull perfect for navigating Louisiana's intricate marsh system, plus modern electronics to mark fish and structure. Captain Kade will fine-tune your technique throughout the day – adjusting retrieve speeds, teaching you to feel subtle bites, and showing you how to work specific lures for maximum effectiveness. This hands-on approach means you'll leave not just with fish in the cooler, but with improved skills you can use anywhere.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and Cocodrie's waters hold some real bruisers. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in during fall and winter months. Reds are aggressive feeders that will crush topwater lures in shallow water or inhale live bait worked along drop-offs. What makes them so exciting is their power – once hooked, they'll make blistering runs and use their broad sides to fight you every inch of the way. Peak action happens during moving tides when they're actively feeding along grass lines and oyster reefs.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides are perfect for testing your finesse fishing skills. They typically run 14 to 20 inches in Cocodrie waters, with occasional gator trout pushing 25 inches or better. Specks are structure-oriented fish that relate to grass beds, shell pads, and channel edges. They're incredibly light biters, requiring sharp hooks and sensitive tackle to detect their subtle takes. Spring and fall offer the best action as water temperatures moderate and baitfish are abundant.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of an angler's skill and patience. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait thieves with incredible ability to strip hooks clean without getting caught. They average 12 to 16 inches around Cocodrie's numerous oyster reefs and pilings, but 3 to 5-pound fish are common for skilled anglers who master the technique. Sheepshead have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, making them one of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Winter months are prime time when they school up in deeper holes and around structure.
Black drum are the heavy hitters of the inshore slam, with fish commonly reaching 20 to 40 pounds in Louisiana waters. These bronze-colored brutes are bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp around oyster beds and mud flats. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power – a big drum will test your drag system and endurance. They're year-round residents but become more active during cooler months. Younger drum, called puppy drum, are excellent table fare, while the larger fish are typically released to maintain the fishery's health.
This world-class inshore fishing experience with Wicked South Charters delivers exactly what skilled anglers are looking for – challenging fishing, expert guidance, and the chance to land some impressive Gulf Coast gamefish. Captain Kade's local knowledge combined with Cocodrie's renowned productivity creates the perfect recipe for a top-rated fishing adventure. You'll push your skills, learn advanced techniques, and hopefully boat some fish worth bragging about. With all gear, bait, licenses, and essentials included, all you need to bring is your experience and enthusiasm for serious fishing. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. These
The 24' Blue Wave center console is your ticket to Louisiana's best inshore fishing spots around Cocodrie. This 2013 beauty runs on a powerful Yamaha 300hp engine that'll get you to the fish at 40 knots, cutting through the coastal waters with ease. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need – GPS to navigate the marshes, a fish finder to locate those redfish and speckled trout, wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on shallow water targets, VHF radio for safety, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh. With room for up to 6 but capped at 4 guests for this trip, you'll have plenty of space to work the rods and land those trophy black drum and sheepshead that call these waters home.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+. They love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. These fish are tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when you're fishing oyster beds, use fresh peeler crab and keep your bait right on the bottom. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable fight in the shallows.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, typically running 20-30 inches in our shallow waters with those signature black spots near the tail. They cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action as they fatten up before winter. What hooks anglers is their power and the sight-fishing opportunities when they're tailing in skinny water. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp and crab. Smaller reds are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Local secret: look for nervous water and birds working bait - that's usually redfish pushing shrimp to the surface. Cast past them and work your bait back through the school.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, typically running 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds with some quality fish pushing 5+ pounds. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially during low-light periods like dawn and dusk. Fall and spring offer the best action when water temps are in the sweet spot. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work well. They're great table fare with tender, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key around here is working the deeper grass edges during the day and moving shallow at first light. Use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - it's deadly when they're feeding on top.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles off pier pilings. Most run 1-5 pounds, but we see some hefty 8-10 pounders around the oil platforms and bridge structures. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel them nibbling before they commit, so keep that hook sharp and set it hard when you feel weight. Spring months are best when they move shallow to spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - they're smart, structure-oriented fish that test your skills. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them excellent eating. Pro tip: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and fish different depths until you find where they're holding.
Cocodrie, LA, United States