Top-Rated New Orleans Inshore Fishing for 3

Halfday Louisiana Inshore Fishing for 3 Anglers

Looking for a solid fishing trip that won't eat up your whole day? This halfday Louisiana inshore charter is perfect for you and two buddies who want to get after some quality fish without the commitment of a full-day trip. We're talking about hitting the productive waters around New Orleans where redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead call home. Whether you're early birds who want to catch the morning bite or prefer an evening trip when the fish start moving again, we've got you covered. These waters have been treating anglers right for generations, and there's a reason locals keep coming back to these same spots.

What to Expect on the Water

This trip puts you right in the heart of Louisiana's legendary inshore fishery, where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf and creates some of the most fish-rich waters you'll find anywhere. We're launching from New Orleans and heading to spots that have been producing consistently – think shallow flats, oyster beds, and structure that holds fish year-round. The boat's rigged with everything you need, from quality rods and reels to a good selection of lures and live bait. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish based on what's biting that day. Don't worry about experience level – whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's been chasing redfish for decades, this trip works for everyone. The halfday format means you get the best of both worlds: serious fishing time without burning a whole day on the water.

Techniques and Tackle

Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish want. We'll be working everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Popping corks with live shrimp under them are absolute money for speckled trout, while redfish love a good gold spoon worked through the grass. The captain's got you set up with medium-action spinning gear that handles everything from schoolie reds to keeper flounder. We'll fish the edges of marsh grass where redfish cruise looking for crabs, work oyster reefs where sheepshead hang out, and hit sandy bottoms where flounder ambush baitfish. Live bait is king out here – fresh shrimp, croaker, and mud minnows that we'll either bring or catch on the way to the fishing grounds. The key is staying mobile and letting the fish tell us what they want. Some days they're aggressive and hitting anything that moves, other days you need to slow down and finesse them.

Top Catches This Season

Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators and one of the tastiest fish swimming in these waters. They bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by before striking with lightning speed. Best fishing for them is during moving tides when they position themselves along drop-offs and channel edges. Spring and fall are prime time, with fish ranging from keeper size around 15 inches up to door-mat flounder pushing 5-6 pounds. What makes them so exciting is the way they hit – sometimes it's just a subtle thump, other times they'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands. They fight hard too, using that flat body to their advantage in the current.

Sheepshead are the convict fish of Louisiana waters, with those distinctive black and white stripes that make them easy to spot. These guys are structure junkies – you'll find them around pilings, oyster beds, rocks, and anything else they can pick clean of barnacles, crabs, and other crustaceans. They've got human-like teeth that can crush a crab shell like it's nothing, which also means they're notorious bait stealers. Winter months are when they really shine, moving into shallow water to spawn and becoming much more aggressive. A good sheepshead runs 2-4 pounds, but the big bulls can push 8-10 pounds and will test your drag system. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that rivals any snapper.

Sea trout, or speckled trout as we call them down here, are probably the most popular inshore species and for good reason. They school up, fight hard, and taste great on the table. These fish love grass flats, especially areas where there's moving water and baitfish. Spring and fall are peak times when they stack up in predictable areas, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp under popping corks, and when you find a school, it's not uncommon to catch a dozen or more. The bigger females, called gator trout, are the real prize – anything over 20 inches is a trophy fish that'll give you a fight to remember.

Redfish are the kings of Louisiana inshore waters and the fish that put this area on the map. These copper-colored bulldogs can be found in everything from inches of water on shallow flats to deeper channels and passes. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their never-give-up attitude when hooked. Slot-sized reds between 16-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only but provide some of the best fights you'll ever experience. They're visual feeders too, so sight-fishing for tailing reds in shallow water is about as good as it gets. Fall is prime time when they school up in massive numbers during their spawning runs.

Time to Book Your Spot

This halfday trip gives you everything you want from a Louisiana fishing experience without the full-day commitment. Perfect for visitors who want to experience our world-class inshore fishing, locals looking for a quick fix, or anyone who wants to introduce friends and family to what makes fishing down here so special. The three-angler limit means everyone gets plenty of action without overcrowding the boat,