Top-Rated Louisiana 4-Person Inshore Fishing Trip

Full Day Louisiana Redfish Charter Adventure

When you step aboard Captain Chad St. Pe's boat for this seven-hour Louisiana inshore adventure, you're signing up for some of the best redfish and black drum action the Gulf Coast has to offer. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's a genuine Louisiana marsh experience that puts you right in the heart of where these world-class gamefish live and feed. With room for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the flats and channels without feeling crowded. Captain Chad brings decades of local knowledge to every trip, reading the water like a book and adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this charter delivers the kind of authentic Louisiana fishing experience that keeps people coming back year after year.

What to Expect on the Water

Your day starts early when you meet Captain Chad at the dock, where he'll have the boat rigged and ready with top-rated professional gear. The Louisiana marsh is a maze of bayous, cuts, and grass flats that holds some incredible fishing, but it takes local expertise to navigate it effectively. You'll spend your seven hours working different spots based on the tide and conditions – maybe starting shallow on the flats during high water, then moving to deeper channels as it drops. The beauty of this charter is the variety: one minute you're sight-fishing redfish in two feet of crystal-clear water, the next you're working structure for black drum or picking apart oyster bars for sheepshead. Captain Chad provides all the rods, reels, and tackle, so you don't need to worry about having the right gear for each situation. Just bring your Louisiana fishing license, some snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up, and be ready for a day that showcases why this part of the Gulf is considered a premier inshore destination.

Techniques and Tactics

Louisiana inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Chad runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. When the redfish are up shallow, you might be throwing topwater plugs or soft plastics into the grass, watching for that telltale wake or copper flash. Black drum fishing often means working bottom with cut bait near structure, feeling for those subtle taps that signal a big drum mouthing your offering. The marsh holds plenty of speckled trout around drop-offs and current breaks, where live shrimp under a popping cork can be deadly effective. Sheepshead require a more finesse approach around pilings and rocks, using small hooks and fresh bait to tempt these tackle-shy fish. Captain Chad's boat is equipped to handle all these scenarios, from shallow-water sight fishing to deeper structure work. He'll teach you to read the signs – bird activity, bait movement, water color changes – that help locate fish in this vast marsh system. The professional-grade tackle ensures you can handle everything from schoolie reds to bull drum pushing 30 pounds.

What Anglers Are Saying

"We had a great time on the water with Captain Chad. He was friendly, extremely helpful and a pleasure to be with. We will definitely be back. He represents the best qualities of a professional Louisiana fishing guide." - Curran. "Captain Chad is a 10. He worked at putting us on exactly what we wanted when fishing. He is personal and friendly, but gets the job done as a professional. Use him for all your Louisiana fishing needs as you won't have a better time with anyone else!!!" - Jerry. "Really enjoyed our trip with Capt Chad.. He was great with my 10 year old son. I have been fishing Hopedale all my life and definitely recommend Capt Chad!" - Wayne.

Top Catches This Season

Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie fish around 20 inches up to bull reds that can top 40 pounds and nearly four feet long. The best thing about Louisiana redfish is their year-round availability – while some months are better than others, you can target them in every season. Spring and fall tend to produce the most consistent action as fish move shallow to feed. Redfish are ambush predators that love structure, grass lines, and current breaks. When you hook one, especially a bigger fish, you'll understand why they're called "red drums" – they put up a fight that combines powerful runs with head-shaking determination. The slot-size fish make excellent table fare, while the big bulls are usually released to continue the cycle.

Black drum might not get the same press as redfish, but they're an absolute blast to catch and Louisiana has some of the best black drum fishing anywhere. These fish can grow massive – specimens over 50 pounds aren't uncommon in Louisiana waters. They're bottom feeders with incredible power, and when a big drum decides to run, it's like hooking a submarine. Peak season runs from late winter through spring when they gather to spawn, but good numbers are available most of the year. Black drum have a more subtle bite than redfish – often just a gentle tapping or weight on the line – so they require patience and attention. The smaller "puppy drum" under 10 pounds make great eating, while the larger fish are typically released due to potential ciguatoxin in older specimens.

Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive black spots are found throughout the marsh system, especially around grass beds, drop-offs, and moving water. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live and artificial baits. Specks typically range from 12 to 20 inches, with fish over two pounds considered good catches and anything over four pounds being a real trophy. They're excellent table fare and relatively easy to catch, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Cold fronts can shut down speckled trout fishing temporarily, but they