Expert AM Half-Day Inshore Fishing in Lake Pontchartrain

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Slidell, LA
$525 - $700 price range

Summary

Join Full Spectrum Fishing Charters for a morning of action-packed fishing in the Lake Pontchartrain area. This half-day trip gets you on the water early to target a variety of species including trout, redfish, flounder, and sheepshead. You'll explore the productive waters of the Rigolets and Lake Pontchartrain, where your experienced guide will put you on the best spots. Whether you're jigging for trout or sight-casting to tailing reds, there's always a chance for tight lines. The sheltered waters make this trip comfortable for anglers of all skill levels. With just one guest, you'll get plenty of one-on-one instruction to hone your techniques. Bring your camera – you never know when you might hook into a trophy catch or spot some of the area's diverse wildlife. This trip is a great way to experience the rich fishery of southeast Louisiana without taking up your whole day.

Expert AM Half-Day Inshore Fishing in Lake Pontchartrain

Tightlines and Big Smiles

12 spotted weakfish, king mackerel, and spotted weakfish caught while fishing in LA

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4 spotted weakfish, hardhead sea catfish, blue catfish, and spotted weakfish caught while fishing in LA

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Five Pollock, Yellow Bullhead, and Spotted Weakfish caught in Slidell

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Lake Pontchartrain Half-Day Fishing Bonanza

Get ready for a morning of non-stop action on the waters of Lake Pontchartrain! This AM 1/2 Day trip with Full Spectrum Fishing Charters is your ticket to reeling in some of the area's most sought-after inshore species. Whether you're after trout, redfish, flounder, or sheepshead, we've got the spots and the know-how to put you on the fish. Grab your hat and let's hit the Rigolets!

What to Expect on the Water

We'll kick things off bright and early, meeting up at the marina as the sun's just peeking over the horizon. After a quick rundown of the day's game plan, we'll hop in the boat and zip out to our first honey hole. The Rigolets and Lake Pontchartrain area is a maze of channels, grass flats, and oyster reefs - perfect habitat for a variety of gamefish. We'll start by targeting the early morning trout bite, then adjust our tactics as the day heats up. This trip is all about variety, so be ready to switch it up and chase whatever's running hot that day.

Rigs and Techniques

Leave the heavy gear at home - we're going light and nimble on this trip. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what the fish are in the mood for. Expect to do some popping cork action for trout, maybe some bottom fishing for sheepshead around structure, and if the reds are tailing on the flats, we might break out the fly rods for some sight casting. Don't worry if you're new to any of these techniques - I'll walk you through each one. By the end of the morning, you'll be working those lures like a pro.

Top Catches This Season

The Lake Pontchartrain area is firing on all cylinders right now. Speckled trout have been absolutely crushing topwater lures in the early morning hours, with some real gators in the 4-5 pound range coming to the boat. The redfish action has been steady, with schools of slot-sized fish prowling the grass flats. We've also been hooking into some doormat flounder around the deeper channels, and the sheepshead bite around the bridge pilings has been non-stop. It's not uncommon to hit a grand slam (trout, red, flounder, and sheepshead) on these half-day trips when the stars align.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Speckled Trout: These silver-spotted beauties are the bread and butter of Lake Pontchartrain fishing. Known for their aggressive strikes and delicious fillets, specks can be found in schools around oyster reefs and grass beds. They're most active in the cooler months, but we can find them year-round. Nothing beats the excitement of a trout blowing up on a topwater plug at first light!

Golden Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored bulldogs are the heavyweight champs of the inshore scene. They'll test your drag and your biceps with powerful runs. We target them around structure and on the flats, where you might see their tails waving above the water as they root for crabs. The "golden hour" right after sunrise is prime time for sight-casting to these brutes.

Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder lie in wait on the bottom, ambushing unsuspecting prey. We find them around drop-offs and in deeper channels. They're not the fastest fighters, but they make up for it with their acrobatic boat-side flips and unbeatable table fare. Fall is the peak season as they migrate to spawn, but we catch them year-round.

Largemouth Bass: While not typically associated with saltwater, the brackish waters of Lake Pontchartrain support a healthy population of largemouth bass. These fresh/salt hybrids are some of the hardest-fighting fish pound-for-pound. We often find them around grass beds and fallen trees, hitting topwater lures and soft plastics with explosive strikes.

Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousins of redfish, black drum can grow to massive sizes. We target the smaller "puppy drum" which are excellent eating and put up a great fight. They love crustaceans, so we'll use shrimp or crab to entice them from around pilings and oyster reefs. Their distinctive "croaking" sound when hooked adds a unique element to the fight.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fishing the Lake Pontchartrain area that keeps folks coming back for more. Maybe it's the diversity - where else can you catch bass and redfish in the same spot? Or perhaps it's the convenience of having world-class fishing just a stone's throw from New Orleans. For many, it's the challenge of figuring out the ever-changing patterns in this dynamic ecosystem. Whatever your reason, I can guarantee that once you fish these waters, you'll be hooked for life.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, I could go on all day about the fish we're catching and the good times we're having out here, but the best way to experience it is to come see for yourself. This AM 1/2 Day trip is perfect for both seasoned anglers looking to scratch that fishing itch and newcomers wanting to get their feet wet in the inshore game. We provide all the gear, know-how, and local insight - you just need to bring your sense of adventure (and maybe a cooler for your catch).

Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, fill the freezer, or just enjoy a morning on the water, we've got you covered. Give us a call or book online, and let's make some memories on Lake Pontchartrain. The fish are waiting - are you ready to meet them?

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are the big cousins of redfish, and they can get huge – 30-50 pounders aren't uncommon. Look for them around oyster beds, pilings, and in channels. They're bottom feeders, so fish your bait on or near the bottom. Spring is best when they school up to spawn, but you can catch them year-round. Smaller drum (under 15 pounds) are good eating, while the big ones are fun to catch and release. They're not as glamorous as some other species, but drum put up a stubborn fight. For bait, fresh crab or shrimp is hard to beat. Here's a tip: when you're fishing for drum, pay attention to those strange grunting sounds – that's them communicating, and it often means a school is nearby.

Sea Trout

Sea trout, also known as speckled trout, are a favorite target in our waters. These fish typically range from 1-5 pounds, though you might luck into a bigger one. We find them around grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. Spring and fall are prime times, but you can catch them year-round. Trout put up a good fight and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. They're fun to catch on light tackle or fly gear. One local trick: try using a popping cork with a soft plastic shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise attracts trout and mimics their favorite prey. Just remember, sea trout can be choosy, so be ready to switch up your presentation if they're not biting.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are the kings of freshwater fishing, but we can catch them in some of our brackish areas too. They typically run 1-5 pounds, with bigger ones possible. Look for them around structure like fallen trees, docks, or vegetation edges. Spring is prime time when they're spawning in shallow water, but fall can be great too. Bass are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're not the best eating, so most folks practice catch-and-release. To land a big one, try working a plastic worm slowly along the bottom near cover. Local secret: early morning topwater action can be explosive – nothing beats seeing a big bass blast your lure on the surface.

Golden Redfish

Golden redfish, despite the name, aren't common in our area. You're more likely to catch the closely related red drum, or redfish. These bronze-colored beauties average 5-15 pounds inshore, but can get much bigger. Look for them in shallow bays, marshes, and around oyster reefs. Fall is fantastic for redfish, but we catch them year-round. They put up an amazing fight, often making strong runs and tail-walking on the surface. Redfish are also prized for their firm, white flesh. To target them, try sight-casting with live bait or artificial lures in shallow water. Pro tip: on calm days, look for their tails sticking out of the water as they feed – it's an exciting way to spot and catch them.

Southern Flounder

Southern flounder are ambush predators with both eyes on one side of their flat, oval-shaped body. They're masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms. Most flounder we catch are 15-20 inches, but they can grow over 30 inches. Look for them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time as they migrate offshore to spawn. Flounder fishing takes patience, but it's rewarding. They're known for their delicious, mild white meat. To catch them, try drifting or still fishing near the bottom with live bait like mullet or shrimp. Here's a tip: when you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder time to turn the bait in its mouth – count to three, then reel down and lift.

About the 22' Sea Fox

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 200

Rise with the sun for a morning of fishing adventure on Lake Pontchartrain. This half-day trip takes you to prime spots in the Rigoletes area, where the fish are often most active as the day begins. You'll cast your line for a variety of catches, including trout, redfish, flounder, and sheepshead. The calm morning waters provide ideal conditions for both novice and experienced anglers alike. Your knowledgeable guide will share local insights and techniques to help you make the most of your time on the water. As you navigate the scenic shorelines and hidden coves, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're looking to land a trophy catch or simply enjoy a relaxing morning on the lake, this trip offers a perfect blend of action and serenity. With just one guest capacity, you'll receive personalized attention and have the flexibility to tailor the experience to your preferences. Don't miss this chance to start your day right with some quality fishing in one of Louisiana's most beautiful settings.

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