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Beginner-Friendly Port Sulphur Fishing Charter
- Published Date: August 19, 2025
- Fishing
- Port Sulphur
- $700 - $750 price range
Summary
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Inshore Catch Showcase
Picking Pumpkins 🎃
Family time and redfish smiles in Port Sulphur!
Sunshine, redfish, and laughter all day long.
First redfish, lifelong memory.
Hooked on family time in Port Sulphur.
Proud smiles with the catch of the day!
Teaching the next generation, one cast at a time.
Picking Pumpkins 🎃
Family time and redfish smiles in Port Sulphur!
Sunshine, redfish, and laughter all day long.
First redfish, lifelong memory.
Hooked on family time in Port Sulphur.
Proud smiles with the catch of the day!
Teaching the next generation, one cast at a time.
Picking Pumpkins 🎃
Port Sulphur's Perfect Intro to Inshore Fishing
Ready to wet a line but not sure where to start? Captain Chris from Hook'Em South Charters has you covered with this beginner-friendly trip out of Port Sulphur. You'll spend 6 hours learning the ropes of inshore fishing, targeting some of Louisiana's most popular gamefish. Whether you're looking to bend a rod for the first time or just want to brush up on your skills, this trip is tailored to help you land some impressive catches while soaking in the beauty of the bayou.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts bright and early at 6:30 AM, meeting up at 161 Marina Rd in Port Sulphur. Don't sweat the gear - Captain Chris provides everything you'll need for a successful day on the water. He'll walk you through the basics of bottom fishing and light tackle techniques, perfect for nabbing redfish, speckled trout, and other inshore species. The shallow, protected waters around Port Sulphur are ideal for newbies, giving you plenty of chances to practice your cast and feel the thrill of a fish on the line. While the trip is designed for one angler, you can bring up to three buddies along for just $50 each - making it a great option for a group of friends looking to learn together.
Fishing 101: Techniques & Gear
On this trip, you'll get hands-on experience with two popular inshore fishing methods. Bottom fishing is all about patience and feeling for that telltale nibble. Captain Chris will show you how to rig your line, bait up, and detect even the subtlest bites. Light tackle fishing, on the other hand, is more active. You'll learn to cast lures or live bait, working them through the water to entice strikes from predatory fish like redfish and trout. The gear is designed to be user-friendly, so don't worry if you've never held a rod before. By the end of the day, you'll be handling that reel like a pro and might even pick up some local tricks for enticing the big ones to bite.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a Louisiana staple. Known for their distinctive spot near the tail, redfish put up a great fight and are delicious on the plate. They love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their presence with a swirl or "tailing" behavior. Fall is prime time for redfish, but you can catch them year-round in Port Sulphur.
Speckled Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these fish are a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts. They're known for their speckled pattern and delicate mouth, which makes for an exciting and challenging catch. Specks tend to school up, so when you find one, you've often found many. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but a skilled guide like Captain Chris can put you on them most of the year.
Black Drum: Cousins to the redfish, black drum are powerful fighters that can grow to impressive sizes. They're bottom feeders, so you'll often target them using natural baits near structure or oyster beds. While not as glamorous as some other species, drum are fun to catch and make for good eating when smaller (under 15 pounds or so).
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth, sheepshead are one of the quirkier-looking fish you might encounter. They're notorious bait stealers, making them a fun challenge for anglers of all levels. You'll often find them around pilings, jetties, and other structures where they feed on crustaceans.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Port Sulphur might not be as well-known as some other Louisiana fishing spots, but that's part of its charm. The area offers a perfect mix of productive fishing grounds and a laid-back, local vibe. You're not just here to catch fish - though you'll likely do plenty of that. This trip is about learning the ropes in a pressure-free environment, soaking in the sights and sounds of the bayou, and maybe picking up a new lifelong hobby. Captain Chris's patient teaching style and local knowledge ensure that even complete novices walk away feeling confident and accomplished.
Time to Book Your Spot
If you've been thinking about giving fishing a try, or just want to improve your skills in a guided setting, this trip is your ticket. Remember, you'll need to grab a Louisiana fishing license before you head out. The $50 deposit secures your spot, but keep in mind it's non-refundable - so check those calendars carefully before booking. With limited spots available each day, it's best to lock in your date early, especially if you're planning a weekend trip. Don't let another season slip by without experiencing the thrill of landing your own catch. Book now with Hook'Em South Charters and get ready to create some unforgettable memories on the water in Port Sulphur!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are hefty fighters found in our shallow coastal waters. They typically range from 5-30 pounds, but the big ones can top 90 pounds. Look for them around oyster beds, mudflats, and brackish estuaries in 1-10 feet of water. They're bottom feeders, using their strong jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time for Black Drum fishing, as they school up to spawn. They make a distinctive croaking sound, which can help you locate them. Anglers love targeting these fish for their strong pull and good eating qualities, though I recommend keeping the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the best taste. For bait, you can't beat fresh crab or shrimp. Use a simple bottom rig with just enough weight to hold in the current. Here's a local tip: When you feel the telltale tapping of a Drum nibbling your bait, wait until you feel steady pressure before setting the hook. These guys can be crafty bait stealers if you're too quick on the draw.
Red Snapper
Red Snapper are prized catches in the Gulf, known for their tasty white meat and strong fighting ability. These fish typically weigh 5-10 pounds but can grow up to 35 pounds or more. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and other structures in water 30-600 feet deep. They're most active in warmer months from May to October. Red Snapper put up a great fight and make excellent table fare, so they're always a highlight for anglers. To land one, use heavy tackle with live bait like cigar minnows or squid. Drop your line all the way to the bottom, then reel up a few feet. When you feel a bite, set the hook hard and be ready for a battle - these fish will try to run back to cover. A local trick: chum the water with cut bait to get them feeding before you drop your line. Just watch out for their sharp teeth when unhooking!
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are one of our most popular gamefish. They typically run 20-30 inches and 6-12 pounds inshore, but can grow much larger offshore. Look for them in shallow water, often less than 3 feet deep, around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. These copper-colored fish with a distinctive black spot near the tail are active year-round, but fall is prime time when they school up in big numbers. Anglers love Redfish for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. Live bait like mullet or shrimp works great, but artificial lures can be just as effective. Try gold spoons, soft plastics, or topwater plugs. Here's a local secret: On hot, sunny days, look for Redfish "tailing" in very shallow water. Their tails break the surface as they root for crabs in the mud. Approach quietly and make a gentle cast just ahead of them for an exciting sight-fishing opportunity.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite target for light tackle anglers in our waters. These silvery fish with spots usually run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though bigger ones aren't uncommon. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. Sea Trout are known for their delicate white meat and the fun they provide on light tackle. They often school up, so where you catch one, there's likely more. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a classic setup, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs can be just as effective. Here's a tip: On calm mornings, look for subtle surface disturbances – that's often trout feeding on baitfish. Cast your lure just beyond the activity and work it through the feeding zone. A slow, steady retrieve usually does the trick.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are unique fish with human-like teeth and black stripes that earn them the nickname "convict fish." They usually weigh 1-8 pounds and hang around structures like docks, bridges, and reefs. Look for them in 5-15 feet of water, especially areas with barnacles they love to munch on. These fish are most active in late winter and early spring when they school up to spawn. Anglers enjoy targeting Sheepshead for their tasty white meat and the challenge of hooking them. They're notorious bait stealers, so you need quick reflexes to catch one. For bait, fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp work well. Use light tackle and a small, sharp hook. Here's a local trick: When you feel a nibble, wait a second or two before setting the hook. Sheepshead often grab the bait sideways first, then turn it to crush it. That pause gives them time to get the hook in their mouth. It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be hooked on Sheepshead fishing.
About the Center Console Boat
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
