Hopedale Fishing & Lodge Package | SaltyFrog

Reel in Redfish: St. Bernard Fishing Getaway

Get ready to wet a line in the fish-rich waters of St. Bernard, Louisiana! This half-day guided trip with SaltyFrog Charters is perfect for two anglers looking to score some serious inshore action. You'll spend 6 hours on the water with Captain Shawn Mitchell, a local pro who knows these marshes like the back of his hand. The best part? After a day of hauling in fish, you'll crash at the comfy Hopedale Lodge. It's the ultimate fish-and-stay package for folks who want to maximize their time on the water.

What's the Deal?

Here's the scoop: Captain Shawn's got you covered with all the fishing essentials. We're talking rods, reels, bait, and tackle - everything you need to put some fish in the boat. No need to lug your gear or hit the bait shop. Just show up ready to fish. After you've landed your catch, the captain will clean and bag your fish, so you can focus on reliving the day's highlights. The lodging at Hopedale is nothing fancy, but it's clean, comfy, and right in the heart of fishing country. Perfect for knocking out after a long day on the water.

Fishing the Bayou

St. Bernard Parish is a maze of bayous, canals, and marshy islands that hold some serious fish. Captain Shawn's gonna put you on the spots where the redfish and speckled trout hang out. You might be tossing soft plastics under a popping cork, working topwater lures, or live-lining bait - whatever's working that day. The shallow-draft boat lets you sneak into skinny water where the big boys hide. Keep your eyes peeled for redfish tailing in the grass or trout busting bait on the surface. It's sight-fishing heaven when conditions are right.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Folks love fishing St. Bernard because it's got that perfect mix of accessibility and wildness. You're just a stone's throw from New Orleans, but out here, it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere. The fishing pressure is way less than some of the more famous spots in Louisiana, which means better chances at hooking into some real beauties. Plus, with a local like Captain Shawn at the helm, you're tapping into years of knowledge about these waters. He knows where the fish are holding and what they're biting on any given day.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish (Red Drum): These copper-colored bruisers are the stars of the show in St. Bernard. They range from "rat reds" under 27 inches to bull reds that can top 40 pounds. Look for them cruising the shorelines, often with their tails sticking out of the water as they root for crabs in the shallows. The fight of a big red in skinny water is something every angler needs to experience. They're at their best in the fall, but you can catch them year-round.

Speckled Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these guys are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. They school up and can provide non-stop action when you find them. Specks love to hang around oyster reefs and points where the current funnels bait. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer can be hot too if you hit the early morning bite. A 2-3 pounder is a nice fish, but gator trout pushing 5+ pounds are always a possibility.

Flounder: These flatfish might not look like much, but they're ambush predators that put up a surprisingly good fight. Plus, they're delicious. Look for them around drop-offs and creek mouths, especially in the fall when they start moving towards the Gulf to spawn. Dragging a soft plastic or live bait slowly along the bottom is the ticket.

Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousins of redfish, black drum can grow to massive sizes. While the bigger ones can be tough eating, slot-sized drum (16-27 inches) are excellent on the table. They love crustaceans, so fishing around oyster beds with crabs or shrimp is a good bet. You can catch them year-round, but they really bunch up in the late winter and early spring.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, if you're looking for a no-fuss fishing trip that delivers serious action and local flavor, this is it. Captain Shawn's gonna put you on fish, show you the ropes if you're new to inshore fishing, and make sure you have a blast. The lodging means you can focus on fishing without worrying about a long drive back to the city. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip's got everything you need for a killer day on the water. Don't sleep on this one - prime dates book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Give SaltyFrog Charters a shout and lock in your dates. The redfish are waiting!