Louisiana Redfish - where to go?

[Ray K]

I've been hearing about the fantastic red fishing in the lower delta of Louisiana.  My best fishing buddy and I will be going up there the middle of August to check it out.  I need suggestions of places to go and the best guides to use.  We'll want guided trips for 3 to 4 days for reds and trout inshore only.  My research so far indicates that the Venice area in the lower delta is a hot spot but, the guides there are also the most expensive.  Please throw me some suggestions.

[fishinfiend]

wherever its wet

[Gundog]

Never fished for redfish but was watching a fishing show recently and they suggested looking for birds feeding on shrimp. Both birds and redfish gorge themselves on the shrimp.

[Ray K]

1 hour ago, fishinfiend said:

wherever its wet

Is it really that good in August?

[fishinfiend]

i would hire a guide and they will put you on the fish for sure.

[gim]

August in Louisiana?  That has to be close to unbearable in terms of heat and humidity.

[Ray K]

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

August in Louisiana?  That has to be close to unbearable in terms of heat and humidity.

 

While you're right that it's the worst month for heat and humidity, we're coming from Central Florida so, it's a piece of cake for us.  Our captain also goes out at first light during the hot months and comes in about 1 PM before the hottest part of the day.  By about 1:30 we'll be sitting on the porch having a brew and fishing for snapper. 

[RoLo]

Catt should be along 

 

Roger

[smr913]

Finding a guide shouldn't be a problem. Finding a good guide may take a bit of investigation and most of them are booked the previous year. Last year I fished out of Port Sulfur and stayed at the Woodland Plantation. 

 

Make sure you let the guide know your skill level and the kind of fishing you want to do. We let our guide know we were experienced fishermen, but the first day he had us chucking floats and live bait. After a little chat he understood we were looking for something a bit more involved. The next day we were out sight fishing and using artificials which to us was a lot more enjoyable. 

 

Also ask about their equipment. Our guide provided solid setups, but only spinning. So we ended up bringing a handful of casting setups.

 

Just my $0.02 from our recent trip down there. 

[Ray K]

42 minutes ago, smr913 said:

Finding a guide shouldn't be a problem. Finding a good guide may take a bit of investigation and most of them are booked the previous year. Last year I fished out of Port Sulfur and stayed at the Woodland Plantation. 

 

Make sure you let the guide know your skill level and the kind of fishing you want to do. We let our guide know we were experienced fishermen, but the first day he had us chucking floats and live bait. After a little chat he understood we were looking for something a bit more involved. The next day we were out sight fishing and using artificials which to us was a lot more enjoyable. 

 

Also ask about their equipment. Our guide provided solid setups, but only spinning. So we ended up bringing a handful of casting setups.

 

Just my $0.02 from our recent trip down there. 

 

Appreciate that feedback.  I've sent some questions relating to things you mentioned as well as some others and asked one of the captains to respond so we can be as familiar with what to expect as possible. 

 

By the way, we are considering Big Dog Charters out of Lafitte.  Have you heard of them?  Thanks again. 

[smr913]

I'm not familiar with them, but their website looks like they are an established operation. 

 

I used Fishunter Guide Service last year with great results and booked them again for November this year. 

[gulfcaptain]

Look around and into Grand Isle. Has a lot of good redfish there.  If you don't want to do the Misissippi Delta, then you can go to Southwest Louisiana as well and fish around Cameron LA and there are guides to be had in Hackberry up the river.  Both places might be a little less expensive the Venice but have just as good fishing.

[Kidflex]

I've been fishing inshore and offshore in Venice and other areas for the last 10 years. the guides in Venice are spoiled and charge way too much. The fishing is good as well as many other areas near by. I would recommend Capt jack at sweetwater guide service in Delacroix. He has cabins that can be included for cheap. Best rates and best guide. I've used many guides from hackberry, Venice, grand isle, port fourchon and Delacroix. He also owns the bait shop in the area so your boat will be loaded with around 400 live shrimp which in included for free. Call other guides and ask how much live shrimp is....... It's east of New Orleans rather than south where Venice is located. The area is much nicer too. Lodging in Venice is way overpriced. Dont get me wrong, I do love Venice. It is a special place especially for offshore. But I make a yearly inshore trip to Delacroix and use the same guide for a reason. August is hot but so is July and September. I like to go in September when the trout start moving in, it'll depend on how much fresh water(rain) has fell. Redfish will be there year round and are easy to catch. Good luck 

[Gundog]

Only thing I can add is that some guides have a "No fish, no charge" policy especially in areas where there are a lot of guides. I had a friend who wanted to fish Ontario but didn't like live bait fishing so when he contacted the guide he told him he would be willing to forego the policy if they could fish with lures. The guide agreed. 

[dave]