Louisiana Fishing Charters
Fish Cocodrie and Port Fourchon, Louisiana year-round for redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and jack crevalle. Anglers of all abilities welcome.
Fishing has quickly become a popular activity and flats fishing in the saltwater is by far the most exiting style. In recent years, southeast Louisiana has garnered a lot of attention by fishermen looking to pursue black drum, sheepshead, jack crevalle, and the star of the show in Louisiana, the redfish. Redfish can be targeted anywhere from Virginia down through Florida over to the very southern coast of Texas, but when people talk about year-round consistent red fishing, one place always sticks out, Louisiana. Louisiana not only has some of the biggest redfish in the world it also has large numbers of the smaller slot redfish found in an expansive maze of creeks, ponds, and bays known as the Louisiana marsh.
Why Fish Louisiana?
Louisiana is considered the Sportsman’s Paradise for a good reason; the fishing is unbelievable. Most of the Louisiana marsh is very shallow making it the perfect environment to target fish with conventional tackle. Redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and jack crevalle are all exciting fish to target and anglers of all abilities will enjoy fishing the complex ecosystem that is the Louisiana marsh. Southeast Louisiana is teeming with life and provides anglers with the opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime. Not only is Louisiana one of the best fisheries in the United States it remains relatively unpressured. The vast area provides anglers with miles and miles of shoreline allowing boats to spread out and rarely see another fisherman all day long.
Louisiana Fishing Charters
Louisiana Flyfisher offers full day and half day Louisiana fishing charters and multiple boats are available for groups of more than 2 people. Contact us for current rates and availability. All trips include tackle/lures, fuel costs, launch fees, and a cooler with water and ice. We fish artificial lures only, and do not use bait.
Payments And Deposits
Cash, Check or Venmo.
Credit cards through Venmo (additional service charges may occur)
$100 per day per guide deposit for all trips
Venmo or mail deposits to:
Captain Rob Burden
PO Box 770671
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
What To Bring
Polarized sunglasses (amber and copper lenses preferred)
Hat and any needed sun protection
7’+ medium/heavy spinning and/or baitcasting rods (if own gear is preferred)
Plenty of layers of clothing (it can get cold)
Rain gear, jackets and pants (can be provided with advance notice)
Shoes with non-marking soles
Waterproof shoes or boots for rainy days
A positive attitude (most important part of having a successful trip)
Cancellation Policy
Trips canceled by the captain due to bad weather will either receive a full refund of the deposit or the deposit will be put toward future trips
Any trips canceled by the client inside of 30 days must be paid in full
Any trips canceled by the client outside of 30 days will forfeit the deposit
It is up to the guide to cancel a trip due to bad weather and the decision will be based on his knowledge and experience
Please keep in mind that nice fish can still be caught in bad weather and trips will only be canceled due to weather if it is dangerous
Any last-minute emergencies will be taken into consideration, please contact us ASAP with any cancellations
Louisiana Flyfisher practices catch and release so if filling the cooler is the goal, we are probably not the right guide service.
Louisiana Fish Species
Redfish
Redfish are one of the most popular inshore gamefish and the star of the show in Louisiana, which is home to the largest population of the biggest redfish in the world.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead aren't known for their blistering runs and long fights, but the appeal of fly fishing for them is getting the bite, which can be a challenge even for experienced anglers.
Black Drum
Black drum are a “slower” relative to the redfish, and can often be found and caught in the same areas as the redfish most people come to Louisiana to fly fish for.
Jack Crevalle
If redfishing was like opening a fine bottle of wine, then fly fishing for jack crevalle is more like opening a shaken can of beer. It is chaotic, explosive, and exciting.
The Guided Fishing Experience With Louisiana Flyfisher
We fish out of technical poling skiffs that are rated for two anglers plus the guide. These boats are designed to float very shallow and allow a stealthy approach at fish while also be seaworthy and fast enough to cover a large amount of water quickly when needed at speeds over 30 mph.
When fishing, the guide is pushing the boat from an elevated platform above the motor where he will have the best visibility and be able to maneuver the boat precisely and quietly. One angler will be positioned on the bow of the boat looking for any sign of fish. This may be seeing a wake, a tail pop up, a back crawling down the bank, or an obvious giant floating fish. Often the guide will see the fish first and will direct the angler to the target. Using the push pole, the guide will position the angler for a shot that will need to be quick and accurate. Long casts are often not required as most shots are up close and personal. The fish in Louisiana are usually willing to eat, however presentations close enough to the fish for them to see a properly present lure are generally needed to get a bite. The guide will coach inexperienced anglers through the process.
We strictly sight fish meaning we do not make a cast until we actually see a defined sign of a fish within casting range. The most exciting part of this type of fishing is seeing the fish inhale a properly delivered offering. Artificial bait fishing is by no means the most productive way to catch redfish, but it certainly is a very unique and rewarding way to fish. Most anglers not only really enjoy flats fishing but become completely addicted to it.
Fall/Winter Louisiana Fishing
Fall and winter fishing has become very popular in Louisiana for a good reason, large bull redfish move into the shallow water in large numbers. Because of this, Louisiana is known as one of the best, if not the best U.S fishing destinations in the fall and winter months. You can certainly find big schools of bull redfish year-round but the consistency of finding large redfish in shallow water is what makes the fall and winter a great time to fish the Louisiana Marsh. The Winter season is also a great time to target Black drum and sheepshead however jack crevalle are not often found with the cooler temperatures. Water clarity is generally the best in the cooler months with crystal clear water where it will be dirty most of the warmer months.
Cold fronts can be frequent in the winter, however unlike other fisheries this can actually help the fishing. The norths winds can blow a lot of the water out of the bays allowing for negative tide fishing that can only be done with a technical poling skiff. It is also very apparent that the first few days after a cold front are some of the best days finding giant redfish crawling and backing along the bank feeding aggressively. The shallow water along the banks will warm up first in the sun and push fish out of the depths and into the best water for them to feed. Louisiana is never a super crowded fishery, especially in the winter, and many days there will never be another boat in sight. Travel into and out of New Orleans is especially easy in the winter months and lodging can be very affordable.
Spring/Summer Louisiana Fishing
Spring and summer are great times to fish Louisiana. The weather will obviously be warmer and more consistent, winds can be calm, fish can be very active, and large jack crevalle will be roaming the flats. If you are strictly looking for large bull redfish you can not expect to find them every day, however late summer provides anglers with the opportunity to find large schools on the beach. Slot reds in the marsh are happily feeding, black drum are present in great numbers and sheepshead will be catchable but acting finicky as usual. Large bull redfish will begin to spawn in the later months of summer and if lucky enough to hit the weather just right fly anglers can come across massive schools of big fish. Warmer water temps often trigger fish to want to feed on top, and if catching fish on poppers is the goal, this is the time of year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Rain Gear, bug spray, camera, sunscreen, pants and long-sleeved shirts (shorts are not recommended due to bugs), hat, good quality polarized sunglasses and fishing license. Please check the forecast before you go. Louisiana can be very humid even when it is cold… which makes it seem colder than it is. Add that to the boat going 30 mph and you will have a chilly boat ride.
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You must buy a Charter Passenger Fishing license for $10 valid for only three consecutive days. If fishing more than three days, you must purchase another one. It is recommended that you do this online BEFORE you arrive. wlf.louisiana.gov
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Yes, all fishing equipment is provided including flies and all tackle. If you would like to use your own rods we recommend 9 and 10 weight rods.
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We keep our skiffs on trailers allowing us to move around to find the best fishing conditions. Please contact your captain directly to confirm the general location for lodging. The captain will let you know a day in advance exactly what marina to meet them at.
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New Orleans, LA. (MSY) Here you will be able to pick up a rental car as well. Most fishing locations are about 1 1/2 hour drive from the airport.
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Item descriptionWe usually do not provide this service, however, please contact us to talk about different options.
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You must bring your own lunch. A cooler will be provided with water and ice and plenty of room for other beverages that you may bring.
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Redfish are anywhere from 2-40+ lbs. Black drum are anywhere from 5-50+ lbs. Jack Crevalle are typically 10-30+lbs. Alligator gar are typically 2-8′ long. Sheepshead are usually 1-10 lbs.
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Maximum of 2 clients per boat. Multiple boat trips are available.
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We fish the Louisiana marsh year-round. If you are looking for big bull redfish the best months are October through March. Weather is the biggest factor in having great fishing.
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This answer varies for the time of year. Usually between 7-8 am. This will be discussed the day before fishing.
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We will fish in the rain under certain circumstances. If a brief shower is expected we can put on rain gear and fish it out. If there is a high chance of strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning, we do not have a problem canceling the trip and returning the deposit.
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No. We do offer trips for sight casting spin rods to these fish as well.
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No. When conventional fishing we mainly use soft plastic artificial lures and other hardware.
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Yes. On mild, warm days with light winds you will encounter bugs. Please bring bug spray if you feel like the bugs may be a problem for you. Please keep in mind that bug spray containing DEET can destroy equipment including the boat.
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We specialize in sight fishing for these fish. Your guide will instruct you on when and where to cast. Casts are commonly anywhere from 10′ to 60′. Hero casts are not needed or recommended. Most casts are made 10′-40′. Weather conditions have a large impact on how successful your fishing trip will be.
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Please contact your guide to talk about different options for lodging. Our guides know a great majority of the Louisiana marsh and like to be flexible on location in order to provide you with the best trip. It is not necessary to book lodging months in advance.