Louisiana Full-Day Inshore Fishing Adventure
When you're ready to fish Louisiana's legendary inshore waters the right way, Captain Ryan and Reel Southern Fishing Charters deliver exactly what you're looking for. This full-day charter gives you and two buddies the chance to work the marshes, flats, and channels where redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum call home. We're talking about a solid day on the water—no rushing, no cutting corners—just pure Louisiana fishing at its finest. You'll hit multiple spots, adapt to what's biting, and come away with stories worth telling.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. With a full day ahead, Captain Ryan takes his time to work the best inshore spots Louisiana has to offer. You'll start early when the fish are most active, covering shallow flats where redfish cruise in packs, deeper channels holding speckled trout, and those muddy bottom areas where flounder and black drum like to hang out. The boat stays comfortable for three anglers, giving everyone room to fish without crowding each other. Captain Ryan knows these waters like the back of his hand—he'll read the tides, weather, and fish behavior to put you on the action. Expect to move around throughout the day, hitting fresh spots when the bite slows down. This approach keeps things interesting and maximizes your chances of getting into multiple species.
Techniques & Territory
Louisiana inshore fishing is all about versatility, and that's exactly how Captain Ryan runs his charters. You'll work everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics bounced along the bottom later in the day. Live bait gets rigged when the fish want something natural, while artificials come out when you need to cover water fast. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, from lightweight spinning setups perfect for trout to heavier gear that can handle a bull redfish. You'll fish shallow grass flats where sight-casting becomes the game, deeper cuts where structure holds fish, and those transitional areas where different species overlap. Popping cork rigs, Carolina rigs, and jigheads all have their place depending on conditions. Captain Ryan teaches you to read the water—looking for nervous baitfish, working birds, and subtle color changes that reveal fish-holding structure. The boat positions quietly using push poles in skinny water or anchors strategically in deeper spots.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the backbone of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. They school up in shallow water, especially during fall months, creating some of the most visual fishing you'll experience anywhere. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size reds around 20-25 inches up to bull reds pushing 35-40 inches. What makes them special is their aggressive nature—they'll blast topwater baits, crush soft plastics, and put up a bulldogging fight that tests your tackle. You'll find them tailing in inches of water or cruising grass flats in small packs.
Speckled trout bring finesse fishing to the mix, requiring lighter tackle and more subtle presentations. These spotted beauties love structure—oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass lines where baitfish congregate. Best fishing happens during cooler months when trout move into deeper holes, though spring and fall provide consistent action too. They're sight feeders that respond well to live shrimp under popping corks or soft plastics worked slowly. A good speckled trout runs 14-18 inches, with trophy fish reaching 20-plus inches. Their delicate bite and acrobatic jumps make them a favorite among light-tackle enthusiasts.
Flounder add the element of precision to your day, as these flatfish require exact presentations along bottom structure. Summer and early fall bring the best doormat flounder fishing, with fish staging near passes and channels before their offshore spawning run. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Working live bait or soft plastics slowly along the bottom triggers their attack response. A keeper flounder runs 15-17 inches, but Louisiana produces some true giants exceeding 20 inches that provide serious bragging rights.
Black drum complete the inshore slam possibilities, offering brute strength that surprises many anglers. These bottom-dwellers congregate around oyster reefs and structure, feeding on crabs and shellfish with their powerful crushers. Spring brings the big spawning females into shallow water, creating opportunities for trophy fish exceeding 30 pounds. They're not picky eaters—live or cut bait worked near bottom structure produces steady action. Black drum fight differently than redfish, using their deep bodies and strength to power toward structure. Their distinctive drumming sound when brought to the boat gives them their name.
Time to Book Your Spot
Louisiana's inshore waters deliver world-class fishing year-round, and Captain Ryan's full-day approach gives you the best shot at experiencing it all. This trip works perfect for serious anglers who want time to really fish without watching the clock, families looking to create lasting memories, or anyone ready to see why Louisiana fishing has such a legendary reputation. The three-person capacity keeps things personal while allowing everyone plenty of casting room. Captain Ryan's local knowledge, combined with a full day to explore different areas and techniques, sets you up for the kind of fishing day you'll talk about for years. Don't wait on this one—call 504-250-7296 and lock in your date with Reel Southern Fishing Charters. Louisiana's fish are waiting, and tomorrow's always one day too late when the bite's on.