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St Bernard LA Redfish Catch - Charter Trips
Redfish Fishing in St Bernard - What to Expect
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Fishing Charter by Captain Shawn Mitchell in October
- Premier Home Grown Charters
Summary
Join a fishing charter in St Bernard, LA where redfish are plentiful and the experience is unforgettable. On a Saturday in October, Captain Shawn Mitchell of SaltyFrog Charters delivered exactly what we came for—solid catches and the kind of day that reminds you why you love being on the water. This is redfish fishing at its finest along the Louisiana coast.
Redfish Fishing with Captain Shawn Mitchell - Rates & Booking
Captain Shawn Mitchell of SaltyFrog Charters ran us out on Saturday, October 10th with a simple mission and solid execution. This is the kind of fishing charter where things work because the captain knows the water and knows how to find redfish. If you're looking to book a redfish fishing trip in St Bernard, SaltyFrog Charters delivers the real deal. Contact them directly for rates, current availability, and to lock in your date on the water.
What makes this charter work is straightforward—you're with someone who has spent years reading these waters. The setup is built around getting you to where redfish are feeding, giving you the best shot at a productive day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or relatively new to saltwater fishing, the approach here adapts to your skill level.
Highlights of Redfish Fishing with SaltyFrog Charters
The redfish bite was solid that day. We landed multiple fish, got them on the cleaning table, and had the kind of catch that makes the trip worth the effort. There's something real about standing over fresh-caught redfish ready for cleaning—it means the strategy worked, the timing was right, and the fishing was genuine.
St Bernard is prime redfish country. These waters hold redfish year-round, but the fall months bring consistent action. The location gives you access to marsh systems, deeper channels, and shallow flats where redfish hunt. Captain Mitchell navigates this mix with confidence, which translates directly to your success on the water.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish, also called red drum, are the signature species along Louisiana's coast. They're built for these shallow, brackish waters where the St Bernard area excels. Redfish are aggressive feeders with a strong lateral line that helps them hunt in murky water. They'll hit live bait and artificial lures, and they fight hard when hooked—which is exactly why anglers keep coming back for more.
These fish move predictably based on tide and season. In October, they're feeding actively, moving across shallow flats and into deeper channels as conditions shift. Captain Mitchell reads these patterns and positions the boat where redfish are actively hunting. That's the difference between a productive day and a slow one.
Redfish behavior changes with water temperature, salinity, and light conditions. Early morning and late afternoon typically produce better bites because redfish are more active during lower light. The marsh systems around St Bernard provide ideal habitat—plenty of structure, food, and shallow water where redfish thrive. When you're fishing these areas with someone who understands the species and the environment, your odds improve significantly.
What makes redfish fishing rewarding isn't just the bite—it's the whole experience. These fish are strong, they're present in good numbers, and the Louisiana coast offers beautiful scenery alongside solid fishing. Combine that with a knowledgeable guide, and you get a day that stays with you.
Plan Your Redfish Fishing Day
A day on SaltyFrog Charters centers around getting you tight lines and solid catches. The group size on this charter works well for actual fishing time—you're not competing for space or attention. Captain Mitchell manages the boat, the positioning, and the strategy while you focus on fishing.
Pack sunscreen, bring water, and wear clothes that work in full sun and salt spray. The boat is set up for fishing, which means practical comfort over luxury. You'll be standing, casting, and watching for bites throughout the day. Bring polarized sunglasses if you have them—they help you spot redfish working shallow water. Wear non-slip shoes or boots because the deck will be wet and fish are in the mix.
The redfish don't take a day off, and neither does Captain Mitchell. This is working fishing, not sightseeing. If you're looking for action and genuine results, this is where you'll find it along the St Bernard coast.
Fishing in St Bernard, LA: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), commonly known as Red Drum, belongs to the family Sciaenidae within the order Perciformes and stands as one of the most sought-after inshore game fish along the Atlantic coast. Distinguished by their characteristic copper-bronze coloration that fades to white on the belly and one or more distinctive black eyespots near the tail, these remarkable fish have captivated anglers for generations. The eyespots serve as a fascinating evolutionary adaptation, confusing predators into attacking the tail end rather than the head, allowing for quick escapes. With lifespans reaching up to 40 years and females capable of producing up to 3 million eggs in a single spawning event, Red Drum represent both resilience and abundance in coastal ecosystems.
Redfish Overview
Red Drum are quintessential shallow-water predators that thrive in the dynamic environments where fresh and saltwater meet. Found throughout the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to northern Mexico, including the entire Gulf of Mexico, these fish have become synonymous with flats fishing and sight fishing opportunities. Their preference for extremely shallow water, often with their backs exposed above the surface, makes them ideal targets for both novice and experienced anglers. The species gained significant conservation attention in the 1980s when commercial overfishing threatened populations, leading to strict regulations that have successfully restored their numbers across most of their range.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These adaptable fish inhabit a diverse range of coastal environments, showing a strong preference for shallow bays, oyster reefs, grass flats, lagoons, and tidal creeks. They typically favor depths between 1 and 4 feet, though larger specimens venture into deeper nearshore waters. Red Drum demonstrate remarkable versatility in bottom preferences, thriving over mud, sand, and shell substrates while utilizing both natural vegetation like seagrass beds and artificial structures such as docks, piers, and jetties. Their distribution extends from the Chesapeake Bay region down through Florida and across the Gulf Coast, with some of the most productive fisheries found in Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina waters.
Redfish Size and Weight
Adult Red Drum typically range from 30 to 61 inches in length, with weights commonly falling between 10 and 45 pounds, though exceptional specimens can exceed these parameters significantly. Sexual dimorphism is evident in mature fish, with females generally growing larger than males, averaging 33 inches compared to the male average of 28 inches. The species reaches sexual maturity between 3 to 5 years of age, after which growth rates vary considerably based on geographic location and environmental conditions. The current world record stands at an impressive 94 pounds 2 ounces, caught off the North Carolina coast, demonstrating the true potential size these fish can achieve in optimal conditions.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Red Drum are opportunistic predators with voracious appetites, feeding primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. Their diet includes blue crabs, shrimp, mullet, menhaden, and various bottom-dwelling invertebrates. They exhibit interesting feeding behaviors, often creating muddy plumes while rooting through soft bottoms in search of prey, a behavior that makes them visible to sight-fishing anglers. These fish demonstrate strong site fidelity, typically remaining within relatively small home ranges throughout their lives. They are most active during dawn and dusk periods, though feeding can occur throughout the day depending on tidal movements, weather conditions, and prey availability.
Redfish Spawning and Seasonal Activity
Spawning occurs in nearshore waters from late summer through early fall, typically between August and November, with peak activity varying by latitude. Mature fish migrate from their inshore habitats to deeper coastal waters where females release massive quantities of eggs in multiple spawning events. The fertilized eggs drift with currents for approximately 24 hours before hatching, with larvae eventually recruiting to shallow estuarine nursery areas. Seasonal movements are generally limited, though some populations show patterns of moving to slightly deeper water during extreme cold weather events. Juvenile fish remain in shallow nursery areas for their first few years before joining adult populations.
Redfish Techniques for Observation and Capture
Sight fishing represents the pinnacle of Red Drum angling, requiring polarized sunglasses, shallow-draft boats or wading gear, and the ability to spot fish in skinny water. Successful techniques include using topwater plugs like walk-the-dog style lures, soft plastic jigs resembling shrimp or crabs, and live bait such as shrimp, crabs, or cut mullet. Fly fishing enthusiasts achieve excellent results with weedless patterns in the 3 to 6-inch range, particularly crab and shrimp imitations. Around popular fishing destinations like Charleston, South Carolina, local guides recommend focusing on oyster bars during moving tides and grass flats during slack water periods. The key to consistent success lies in understanding tidal movements, as these fish are most active and predictable when water is moving.
Redfish Culinary and Utilization Notes
Red Drum offer excellent table fare when properly handled and prepared, featuring mild, slightly sweet white meat with a firm texture that adapts well to various cooking methods. The flesh contains high levels of protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, along with essential vitamins and minerals including B12 and selenium. Smaller fish, often called "rat reds," typically provide the best eating quality, while larger breeding-size fish are often released to maintain population health. Popular preparation methods include grilling, blackening, baking, and frying, with the versatile meat absorbing seasonings and marinades effectively. Sustainable harvesting practices and adherence to size and bag limits ensure continued availability of this valuable food fish for future generations.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for catching Red Drum?
A: Live or fresh-dead shrimp consistently produces excellent results, followed closely by blue crab and cut mullet. For artificial lures, topwater plugs during low-light conditions and soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the bottom are highly effective choices that mimic natural prey items.
Q: Where can I find Red Drum near coastal areas?
A: Focus your efforts on shallow grass flats, oyster bars, tidal creeks, and areas where structure meets open water. Look for moving water during tide changes, and don't overlook extremely shallow areas where fish may be "tailing" or feeding with their backs exposed above the surface.
Q: Is Red Drum good to eat?
A: Absolutely, Red Drum provides excellent table fare with mild, sweet-tasting white meat that works well with various cooking methods. Smaller fish typically offer the best eating quality, while many anglers practice catch-and-release with larger breeding-size specimens to support population sustainability.
Q: When is the best time to catch Red Drum?
A: Early morning and late afternoon generally provide the most productive fishing, coinciding with natural feeding periods. Spring and fall months often yield the most consistent action, though these fish can be caught year-round in most of their range, with activity levels influenced by water temperature and tidal movements.
