Fishing in Louisiana is more than just a pastime—it’s a way of life. The state’s waters are packed with fish, and no matter the season, there’s always something biting. From the winding inshore marshes to the blue-green waters near the Gulf’s scattered rigs, Louisiana offers a fishing experience that keeps you coming back. It’s not just about catching fish; it’s about the chase, the fight, and the stories that come with every trip.
Inshore Marsh Fishing
The marshes are where it all starts. With miles of shallow bays, winding bayous, and hidden cuts, this is prime water for redfish and speckled trout. The best part? You don’t need a huge boat or fancy gear to get in on the action. A good rod, a handful of lures, and an eye for fishy water will take you a long way.
Redfish in the marsh are aggressive, and they aren’t shy about showing themselves. On calm days, you can spot their backs pushing through the shallows, or even better, see tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs. Sight-fishing these bruisers in the skinny water is as exciting as it gets. A well-placed bait is all it takes to get that explosive strike.
Speckled trout hold in deeper bayous and channels, where they stack up waiting for baitfish to pass through. On cold mornings, they’ll sit deep, but as the day warms up, they move onto oyster beds and shallow flats looking for an easy meal. Once you find them, the action can be non-stop, with fish hitting lures almost as soon as they touch the water.
Nearshore Waters
Beyond the marshes, Louisiana’s nearshore waters hold a different kind of adventure. Here, the fishing is all about variety. You might start the morning pulling trout off a shallow reef and end the day locked into a battle with a jack crevalle that refuses to give up.
These waters are rich with bait, and wherever the baitfish go, predators follow. Big bull reds roam the open water, smashing topwaters and peeling off drag in long, punishing runs. Sheepshead stack up around pilings and jetties, finicky as ever but worth the effort for their fight alone. Then there are the roaming schools of Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and bluefish—always on the move, always looking to wreck a bait.
Fishing the Rigs
The oil rigs dotting Louisiana’s nearshore waters are fish magnets. Even the smaller, inshore platforms hold big fish, and on the right day, they can be loaded with life. Red snapper stack up just beneath the surface, ready to hammer anything that looks like an easy meal. Hard-fighting jacks cruise the structure, running down baitfish and testing drags. Big drum and sheepshead hang tight to the pilings, while cobia often appear out of nowhere, circling just beneath the boat before charging a well-placed bait.
Fishing the rigs adds another level of excitement to any trip. Some days, it’s a steady pick of quality fish. Other times, it’s non-stop action with big fish wearing you out before you even realize it!
The Adventure Never Ends
Louisiana’s waters don’t just offer good fishing—they offer some of the most dynamic and rewarding fishing in the country. The marshes challenge you to read the tides, spot fish in the shallows, and make every cast count. The nearshore waters bring variety, forcing you to stay ready for anything, from schooling trout to bulldog redfish. And then, there are the rigs, where structure meets deep water, drawing in the kind of fish that test your patience and your gear.
No two trips are ever the same, and that’s what keeps fishermen coming back. Some days, you’ll put together a perfect plan, reading the conditions just right and hauling in fish one after another. Other days, the fish make you work for every bite, pushing you to change tactics, move spots, and pay attention to the smallest details. But that’s what makes it worth it. Every cast, every fight, and every day on the water adds to the story, and in Louisiana, those stories never stop.