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Top-Rated Inshore Fishing | St. Bernard, LA
St Bernard, LAWhat you will be catching:
Black Drum
Redfish
Sea Trout
Summer Flounder
- 7-hour private charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounder in marshes
- Early 6 AM departure with expert guide and all equipment provided
- Accommodates up to 4 guests with fish cleaning service included
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Full Day Inshore Fishing in St. Bernard, LA
Looking for a solid day on the water chasing reds and specks? SaltyFrog Charters runs a top-rated 7-hour inshore trip that'll put you right in the middle of some of Louisiana's best fishing. We're talking about the marshes and shallow waters around St. Bernard Parish – prime territory for redfish, sea trout, black drum, and flounder. This isn't some crowded party boat deal either. It's just you and up to three buddies with a local captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Starting at sunrise and running until early afternoon, you'll have plenty of time to work different spots and dial in on whatever's biting best that day.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day kicks off at 6 AM sharp from the Hopedale Highway launch – coffee's definitely recommended before you show up. The early start isn't just for show; that's when the fish are most active, especially during warmer months when the afternoon sun can slow things down. SaltyFrog provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout to heavier setups for bull reds. The boat's rigged with everything from live bait wells to quality fish finders, so you're covered whether we're sight fishing the shallows or working structure in deeper water. Plan to bring your Louisiana fishing license (they check these days), some snacks and drinks to keep your energy up, and a small cooler for your cleaned fillets. The captain handles all the filleting, which is a nice touch after a long day of casting. Just remember this is inshore fishing – dress for sun and bring layers since it can get breezy out there.
Techniques and Tackle
The beauty of St. Bernard's inshore scene is the variety of approaches that work. We'll likely start with live bait – shrimp and croaker are absolute money for reds and black drum. When the trout are schooled up, artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs can really shine, especially around dawn. The marshes here are shallow, so we're often fishing in 2-6 feet of water where you can actually see the fish. Sight casting to tailing reds is about as good as it gets – watching a 25-inch redfish crush your bait in knee-deep water never gets old. The captain will have you rigged with circle hooks for the live bait work and might switch you over to jigs or spoons when we're covering water looking for schools. Don't worry if you're new to this; inshore fishing is pretty forgiving, and the guide will get you dialed in quickly. Experienced anglers will appreciate the variety – from finesse fishing for speckled trout to the arm-burning fights that big black drum can dish out.
Top Catches This Season
Redfish are the stars of the show down here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow marsh edges and oyster reefs that St. Bernard is famous for. Most of the reds you'll catch run 16-27 inches – perfect eating size and plenty of fight on light tackle. They're year-round residents, but fall brings some of the best action when they school up for their spawning runs. What makes reds so special is how they eat; they're aggressive feeders that will absolutely demolish live shrimp or cut bait. Plus, watching them tail in shallow water gets your heart pumping every single time.
Speckled trout (we just call them specks) are the other bread-and-butter species here. These beautiful fish with their spotted sides are pure eating and fight surprisingly hard for their size. Spring and fall are prime time for specks, when water temperatures are in that sweet spot and they're actively feeding. They school up around structure – think old shell beds, drop-offs, and grass lines. What's cool about specks is they can be picky eaters one day and absolutely savage the next. When you find a good school, you might catch a dozen in 20 minutes.
Black drum don't get the respect they deserve, but anyone who's hooked into a big one knows better. These bottom-dwellers can push 15-20 pounds around here and will test your drag system for sure. They love crabs and shrimp around oyster reefs and pilings. The smaller ones (we call them puppy drum) are fantastic table fare, while the big bulls are pure fun to catch and release. They're most active in cooler months when they move into the shallows to feed.
Summer flounder add some variety to the mix, especially during warmer months. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and love sandy bottoms near structure. They're ambush predators that will nail a well-presented jig or live bait. Flounder fishing requires a bit more finesse – you've got to feel that subtle bite and set the hook at just the right moment. But when you do it right and boat a nice doormat, it's incredibly satisfying.
Time to Book Your Spot
St. Bernard's inshore waters offer some of Louisiana's most consistent and exciting fishing, and SaltyFrog Charters knows how to make the most of it. Seven hours gives you real time to explore different areas and techniques, whether the fish are shallow or deep, aggressive or finicky. The 4-person max keeps things comfortable and ensures everyone gets plenty of shots at fish. With all gear provided and professional filleting included, you just need to show up ready to fish. The 15% deposit locks in your date, and trust me, the good captains book up fast during prime season. If you're looking for a genuine Louisiana inshore experience with a guide who knows these marshes inside and out, this trip delivers exactly what you're after.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These bottom-feeders love our shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crunch up crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're built like tanks and fight hard, making them a real test for any angler. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster shells. They can't resist it, and crab stays on the hook better than most baits in our waters.
Redfish
Redfish are Louisiana legends with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 16-27 inches, perfect for eating, while the big bulls over 27 inches put up fights you won't forget. They cruise our shallow flats, marsh edges, and oyster reefs in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the hottest action. What draws folks is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and that bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. The meat from slot reds is sweet and firm, perfect for blackening. Local secret: look for nervous water or "waking" fish on calm days, then cast ahead of where they're heading with a gold spoon.
Sea Trout
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of our Louisiana marshes, averaging 14-24 inches with that beautiful spotted pattern along their silvery sides. These fish love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas where fresh water mixes with salt. They're most active during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable, plus they bite well under lights at night. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so you've got to play them carefully. The meat is white, flaky, and tastes great fried or grilled - just don't overcook it since it's more delicate than redfish. Best trick I can share: work a soft plastic slowly along grass edges during moving water. When you feel that thump, set the hook gently but quickly before they spit it out.
Summer Flounder
Summer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color changes. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch some real doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand near drop-offs, channel edges, and around structure in 10-30 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is their unique sideways bite and the challenge of detecting their light strikes. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways and need time to turn it in their mouth.
About the SaltyFrog
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
