Louisiana's Best 4-Hour Private Inshore Charter

Private Louisiana Inshore Charter for 5 Guests

Looking for the perfect fishing trip for your crew? Captain Ryan's got you covered with this 4-hour private inshore charter that's designed specifically for groups of five. Operating out of the legendary fishing grounds around Hopedale and Delacroix, this isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience some of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters with one of the area's top-rated captains. You'll be targeting the big four: redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum, all while enjoying the comfort and space of a well-equipped 26' Blue Wave. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, planning a guys' trip, or just want to get the family out on the water, this charter delivers the perfect mix of serious fishing and good times.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Ryan keeps things relaxed but productive on these half-day trips. You'll meet at the dock early morning when the fish are most active, and after a quick safety briefing, you're off to the honey holes. The beauty of fishing around Hopedale and Delacroix is the variety – one minute you're working a grass flat for speckled trout, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The 26' Blue Wave gives your group plenty of room to spread out, which means everyone gets their shots without bumping elbows. Captain Ryan's been working these waters for years, so he knows exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. Expect to move around a bit – that's how you stay on the bite. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so all you have to do is show up ready to fish.

Techniques & Tackle Setup

This is classic Louisiana inshore fishing at its finest. You'll be using medium-action spinning gear spooled with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the size fish you're targeting. Depending on conditions, Captain Ryan will have you throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. When the redfish are cruising shallow, you might switch to topwater plugs or gold spoons – nothing beats the explosion when a bull red crushes a surface bait. For speckled trout, it's often about working the drop-offs and grass lines with slow presentations. The boat's rigged with a shallow water anchor system, so when you find active fish, you can lock down and work the area thoroughly. Captain Ryan's big on teaching proper technique, so whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, you'll learn something new. The key in these waters is reading the conditions – water clarity, wind direction, and tide movement all play huge roles in where the fish will be and how they'll bite.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can range from schooling "rat reds" around 16-20 inches to massive bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish moving into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special is their fighting ability – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to leverage against you. Plus, they're incredibly cooperative, often traveling in schools that can keep your group busy for hours. The slot-size fish (16-27 inches) make excellent table fare, while the big bulls are all about the fight and the photo.

Speckled trout, or "specks," are Louisiana's most popular inshore species, and once you hook into a good one, you'll understand why. These beautiful fish have distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides and can reach impressive sizes in these waters – 3-4 pounders are common, with trophy fish over 6 pounds always possible. They're most active during cooler months, from October through March, but you'll find them year-round in deeper holes and channel edges. Specks are finicky eaters, which makes them challenging and rewarding to target. They prefer subtle presentations and can be incredibly line-shy, so when you do connect, it feels earned. Their delicate mouths mean you have to play them carefully, but their acrobatic jumps and strong runs make every hookup exciting.

Summer flounder, or "fluke," are the shape-shifters of the marsh. These flatfish can completely disappear into sandy or muddy bottoms, waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during summer months, typically found in 6-15 feet of water around channel edges and drop-offs. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the anticipation – you'll feel a subtle tap, then nothing, then a solid thump as they fully commit to the bait. They're excellent table fare, and their unique appearance always gets a reaction from first-time anglers. Flounder can grow quite large in Louisiana waters, with fish over 20 inches providing serious rod-bending action.

Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, capable of reaching massive sizes and providing battles that'll test your tackle and your arms. These prehistoric-looking fish have barbels under their chins that help them locate crabs and oysters along the bottom. They're most active during spring spawning runs, when schools of giant drum move into shallow water. What sets drum fishing apart is the raw power – these fish don't jump or make flashy runs, they just pull straight down with incredible force. Landing a 20+ pound drum on medium tackle is a real accomplishment, and the larger fish (over 30 inches) are typically released to keep the fishery strong. Their unique appearance and crushing bite make them a customer favorite.

Time to Book Your Spot

This half-day private charter hits the sweet spot for groups looking for quality time