Private Louisiana Inshore with Captain Brad

Louisiana Inshore Fishing with Captain Brad

Louisiana's marsh country is hands down some of the best inshore fishing in the Gulf, and Captain Brad D'Alfonso knows these waters like the back of his hand. This private 8-hour charter takes up to 5 anglers through the productive backwaters where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up around structure. You're not just booking a fishing trip – you're getting a full day with a local captain who lives and breathes these marshes. Brad handles all the gear, cleans your catch, and puts you on fish that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's over. Bring your Louisiana license, some snacks, and get ready for world-class inshore action.

What to Expect on the Water

Your day starts early in Louisiana's sprawling marsh system, where Captain Brad's been guiding anglers for years. This isn't some rushed half-day deal – you've got 8 solid hours to work the flats, channels, and structure that hold fish year-round. The beauty of a private charter means Brad tailors everything to your group's skill level and interests. Got kids who've never held a rod? He'll start them on eager croakers and work up to bigger targets. Experienced anglers looking to dial in their technique? Brad knows exactly where to find those trophy-class reds that'll test your drag. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need. Captain Brad stocks live bait and artificials based on what's working best, so you're always fishing with confidence.

Techniques and Top Spots

Louisiana inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Brad runs a mix of live bait and artificial presentations depending on conditions and target species. You'll work everything from shallow grass flats where redfish tail in knee-deep water to deeper channel edges where big trout suspend. Popping corks with live shrimp under them are absolute money makers here, especially when the trout are finicky. For aggressive reds, nothing beats throwing soft plastics tight to oyster bars and marsh edges. Brad's got the local knowledge to put you on productive water whether it's a calm bluebird day or when weather has the fish pushed into protected areas. The marsh system offers endless variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish, the next you're drifting live bait along a drop-off for black drum.

Top Catches This Season

Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight like crazy in shallow water. They'll average 20-27 inches with plenty of slot fish for the cooler, plus those over-slot bulls that'll straighten hooks if you're not ready. Redfish feed year-round here, but fall months are absolutely phenomenal when they school up in massive numbers. Speckled trout are the other main target, and Louisiana's specs are thick-bodied fish that hit hard and taste even better. Spring and fall produce the best trout action, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and occasional gator trout pushing 4-5 pounds. Black drum show up strong in cooler months – these bottom huggers can weigh 20+ pounds and provide serious rod-bending action on lighter tackle. Flounder are bonus fish that lay along structure and channel edges, perfect for kids since they're cooperative biters. Sheepshead round out the mix with their infamous bait-stealing antics around any hard structure, but hook one and you'll appreciate their bulldogging fight.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore waters, and for good reason. These bronze-backed fighters are built for the shallows with broad tails that let them accelerate like rockets when hooked. The best part about Louisiana reds is their year-round availability – they don't migrate like fish in other regions, so you'll find them feeding whether it's January or July. Slot-size fish between 16-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls over 27 inches provide photo opportunities and stories you'll tell for years. Watch for them tailing in shallow water during warmer months, or target deeper grass beds and oyster reefs when temperatures drop.

Speckled trout are Louisiana's most popular inshore species, and once you hook into a few quality specs, you'll understand why anglers get addicted. These silvery predators have soft mouths that require finesse, but their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights make every hookup exciting. Louisiana trout are notorious for their size – 2-3 pounders are common, and trophy specs over 5 pounds cruise these waters. They're structure-oriented fish that love oyster reefs, grass beds, and channel drop-offs. Spring and fall offer the most consistent trout action, while summer fishing peaks early morning and late evening when water temperatures cool down.

Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bruisers that'll test your tackle and technique. These bottom-dwelling powerhouses can exceed 30 pounds in Louisiana waters, using their broad sides and stubborn nature to wage war against your drag system. They're most active during cooler months from November through March, when they move into shallower areas to feed on crabs and shellfish around oyster bars. Black drum have a unique drumming sound they make underwater, and experienced anglers can actually hear them feeding. They're excellent table fare when kept in the 5-15 pound range, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Brad's private charters book up fast, especially during prime fishing months when Louisiana's inshore bite is red-hot. You're not just getting a top-rated guide – you're securing 8 hours with someone who's dedicated his life to these waters and genuinely loves putting clients on fish. The fact that he handles all gear,