Ready to step up your fishing game? Captain Frank's full-day advanced trip out of Slidell is where serious anglers come to play. We're talking 7 hours of non-stop action on Lake Pontchartrain and the Biloxi Marsh, targeting everything from speckled trout to monster redfish. This ain't your average charter - it's for folks who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills to the limit. We'll hit all the honey holes and use every trick in the book to put you on the fish. By the end of the day, you'll have stories (and hopefully photos) of personal bests that'll make your fishing buddies green with envy.
From the moment we shove off, it's go time. We'll start by reading the water and conditions, then adapt our strategy throughout the day. Expect to cover a lot of ground - from grass flats to oyster reefs and everything in between. You might be throwing topwater at dawn, then switching to jigs in deeper holes by midday. Captain Frank knows these waters like the back of his hand, so we'll always be a step ahead of the fish. And don't worry about gear - we've got top-notch rods, reels, and tackle ready to go. Just bring your A-game and be ready to boat some bruisers.
This trip is all about leveling up your inshore game. We'll mix it up with everything from sight casting to finesse techniques. You might find yourself working a popping cork for specks one minute, then flipping soft plastics under docks for reds the next. We'll break down how to read current seams, work structure, and present baits for maximum effect. Captain Frank's always got a few ace techniques up his sleeve too - like the "Slidell Slammer" - a local twist on live bait rigs that big trout can't resist. By the end of the day, you'll have a whole new arsenal of skills to take home to your local waters.
Speckled Trout: These spotted beauties are a Slidell staple. Known for their aggressive strikes and delicious meat, specks love to hang around structures and drop-offs. We target them year-round, but fall and spring are prime time when they school up thick. Nothing beats the thrill of a big trout smashing a topwater lure at dawn.
Redfish: The bulldogs of the marsh, redfish will test your drag and your patience. We find them tailing in shallow grass or cruising along oyster reefs. They'll eat just about anything, but live bait or a well-placed artificial can trigger some explosive strikes. Fall is the peak season when bull reds move into the marsh to spawn.
Flounder: These flat ambush predators might not look like much, but they put up a sneaky good fight. We target them around drop-offs and sandy bottoms, often using a slow retrieve with soft plastics. Late fall is prime time when they start their offshore migration. Landing a doormat-sized flounder is always a trip highlight.
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes, sheepshead are as fun to catch as they are to look at. They love structure, so we'll hit bridge pilings and oyster reefs to find them. Light tackle and a deft touch are key - these guys are notorious bait stealers. Winter is the best time to target big spawning sheepshead.
Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousins of redfish, black drum can grow to massive sizes. We find them hanging around deeper holes and channels, often using their sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shrimp. A fresh piece of crab on the bottom is hard for a big drum to pass up. Spring is prime time when they move into shallower water to spawn.
Look, there's fishing trips, and then there's fishing trips that stick with you. This full-day advanced charter falls squarely in that second category. It's not just about the number of fish you catch (though we usually put up some impressive numbers). It's about pushing yourself, learning new skills, and experiencing some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the fishery, some new techniques in your back pocket, and probably a few fish stories you'll be telling for years to come. Plus, there's just something special about being out on these waters - the way the light hits the marsh grass at dawn, or spotting a pod of dolphins cruising by. It's the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.
Every season brings its own highlights, but this year has been particularly hot. We've been absolutely crushing the speckled trout, with several fish over 5 pounds coming to the boat. The redfish bite has been on fire too, especially around some newly discovered structure in the Biloxi Marsh. One recent group limited out on both species before lunch! The flounder run this past fall was one for the books - we had multiple days with fish over 5 pounds, including one absolute doormat that pushed 9. And for you sheepshead fanatics, we found a honey hole this winter that was giving up fish in the 8-10 pound range like clockwork. Of course, past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but the fishing has been so good lately that we're feeling pretty confident about putting you on some personal bests.
If you're still reading this, chances are you're the kind of angler who's always looking to up their game. This full-day advanced trip with Captain Frank is your chance to do just that. Whether you're gunning for that trophy red, want to dial in your trout technique, or just want to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf has to offer, we've got you covered. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Bring your passion for fishing, a willingness to learn, and get ready for a day on the water you won't soon forget. The fish are biting in Slidell - are you ready to answer the call?
These bruisers are the heavyweights of the drum family, often hitting 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90. Look for them around oyster beds and muddy flats in brackish waters. Black drum are bottom feeders with powerful jaws, crushing shellfish and crabs. They're adaptable to different temperatures and depths, so we can target them year-round. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. For bait, fresh crab is hard to beat - it stays on the hook and doesn't attract bait stealers. When you hook one, get ready for a fight. These fish pull hard and don't give up easy. Drum meat can get tough in bigger fish, so I recommend keeping ones under 15 pounds for the table. Here's a local tip: listen for their distinctive drumming sound underwater to locate schools. It's a cool experience hearing them communicate.
Redfish, or red drum, are the bulldogs of the flats. Most inshore reds run 3-10 pounds, but they can grow over 40 inches and 50 pounds offshore. Look for them tailing in shallow water, often just 1-4 feet deep. They love hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Reds will eat just about anything, but live bait like mullet or crabs is hard to beat. For artificials, gold spoons or scented soft plastics work well. Fall is prime time as they school up, but you can catch them year-round. When hooked, redfish pull like a freight train - be ready for some serious drag-screaming runs. That copper color and spot near the tail make for great photos too. Here's a local tip: on calm days, cruise the shallows and look for their tails sticking up as they root for crabs. It's sight-fishing at its finest.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are a staple of inshore fishing here. Most run 14-24 inches, but gators over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them around grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love to ambush bait fish, so lures that mimic wounded prey work great - try topwater plugs or soft plastics. Spring and fall are peak seasons as water temperatures change. Specks put up a good fight with head shakes and jumps, plus they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. Locals prize big trout as trophies. Here's an insider tip: on calm mornings, look for them busting bait on the surface. Cast past the commotion and work your lure through it - hang on tight! Just remember to handle them carefully if you're releasing, as they're more delicate than they look.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped oddballs of inshore fishing. They usually run 1-8 pounds but can reach 20. You'll find them around any hard structure - pilings, rocks, reefs - where they use those weird human-like teeth to crunch barnacles and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so you need a sensitive touch to feel those subtle nibbles. Use small hooks with fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp. When you hook one, they put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. The meat is sweet and delicious, but cleaning them can be a chore with those tough scales. Here's a local trick: scrape some barnacles off a piling to chum them up. Once they start feeding, it's game on. Just watch out for those fin spines when you're handling them - they'll make you regret it!
Summer flounder, or fluke, are masters of camouflage with both eyes on their left side. They typically run 15-20 inches, but trophy fish over 20 pounds aren't unheard of. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in coastal waters and estuaries. They're ambush predators, lying flat and waiting to pounce on smaller fish and crustaceans. Fall is prime time as they migrate to deeper waters. Flounder fishing is an art - you've got to feel that subtle bite as they grab the bait sideways. Use live minnows or strips of squid on a fish-finder rig. The fight isn't spectacular, but the challenge of hooking them and their excellent table fare make them a favorite target. Here's a tip: when you feel that tap-tap, give them a few seconds to get the bait in their mouth before setting the hook. Patience pays off with these flatfish.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200