Grand Isle Fishing Charters

The best out of 58 charter fishing deals in Grand Isle - enter dates to check availability

Grand Isle Fishing Charters

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Top Fishing Charters in Grand Isle

Fishing in Grand Isle

Inshore, nearshore or offshore... pick your preferred type of saltwater fishing and you will find that in the quaint little town of Grand Isle fishing comes as second nature.

While it may be less vocal about its sportfishing prospects compared to the neighboring powerhouses of Venice and New Orleans, don’t let Grand Isle's low profile fool you one bit. The only inhabited barrier island on the Louisiana coast, it has direct access to the Gulf’s premier fishing grounds while flanking the nourishing waterways of the Mississippi River delta. This makes the area a coveted hotspot for inshore and bluewater fanatics alike.

You just need to take a look at the local charter boats to see how much variety there is round here. A quick glance at area marinas reveals pretty much every vessel under the sun. 14-foot shallow water skiffs are found alongside 50-foot sportfishers used for exploring the oil rigs 100 miles offshore in 5,000 feet of water. Suffice to say, this little town has plenty going on under the surface.

Known for

The Louisiana coast is best known for Redfish. Also known as Red Drum, these fish feed and spawn in the passes extending from the marshes into the open Gulf. Louisiana has thousands of such passes and inlets along its shoreline, and Grand Isle is no exception. The productive waters are filled with shrimp and crabs, the primary food for Reds. Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Sheepshead all thrive in these waters and are top targets on any local inshore fishing trip. These trips tend to cost about $500.

But it's not all about the Redfish. Name any other saltwater species and you will likely find it within easy striking distance of Grand Isle. Black Drum, Amberjack, Cobia, Snapper, Wahoo and King Mackerel, can all be caught in a 8 hour 'half day' trip, just to name a few.

However, when it comes to Grand Isle, there's one word on everyone's lips: Yellowfin.

This is a bucket list fish. Beautiful, big, and strong, this fish tastes good and fights like almost nothing else. Yellowfin Tuna will test the strongest equipment and the strongest man or woman.

The Grand Isle fishing charters that don’t want to stay inshore are known for one thing: Tuna fishing trips. These will take at least 12 hours, and could last for anything as long as a full 24 hours. Boats in the local fleet are built for speed and fishability. While you’ll find some boats with air conditioning and living arrangements, comfort isn’t always the top priority. But hey, this is about as serious as fishing gets. With all that in mind, 24-hour offshore trips are not for the faint of heart or weak of will.

Offshore Tuna fishing trips will usually take you fishing at least 60 miles from the coast. A 12 hour trip can cost anything from $1700 to nearly $3000, depending on the size of the boat. 24 hour trips start at about $4000, but can get you catching a huge amount of the best quality fish (and Louisiana bag limits are liberal).

Rules and Regulations

In Louisiana, charter fishing anglers need nothing more than a $10 license. This will cover you to fish from a charter vessel for three days in saltwater, with a licensed guide on board at all times. You must provide the charter guide’s license number when you buy a Charter Passenger License.

A regular non-resident saltwater license when fishing without a guide is $17.50 for a one-day permit. Annual non-resident licenses for saltwater costs $90 ($60 for the basic license and $30 for the saltwater license).

Licenses can be bought online and printed at home to take with you on your fishing trip.

Fishing techniques

One of the most basic techniques for Grand Isle fishing is exploring the inshore marshes with a popping cork with an imitation shrimp jig suspended two feet underneath. Redfish and Seatrout are the most common targets.

Many anglers prefer bottom fishing with live bait... either shrimp or crabs. This technique is effective for a variety of species whether fishing in water two feet deep or 20 feet deep.

Offshore techniques run the gamut, including trolling for Tuna, Wahoo or Mackerel. But many anglers prefer bottom fishing with live bait around the plentiful oil rigs. You can buy live bait, but most anglers catch their own around the oil rigs using Sabiki rigs on smaller spinning tackle.

Fishing Seasons

If you can stand the heat, the summer months are prime for shallow water Redfishing and Seatrout. Limits are common. Fall months attract Yellowfin Tuna, Cobia and Amberjack to the closer near-shore oil rigs. If you want to catch a prized Wahoo, go in February.

In reality, however, something is biting somewhere virtually every month in Louisiana. Anglers simply need to pick your poison.

Grand Isle
4.55

Based on 11083 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

Grand Isle Fishing Seasons

January

New year starts in style in Grand Isle, Louisiana. January is a great time for Tuna fishing, with some of the largest specimens regularly being caught fairly close to shore this month as they migrate past the Mississippi River.

February

The Tuna bite remains strong in the cold winter waters, with both Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna reaching impressive sizes. Inshore, Redfish and Speckled Trout are being caught in coastal marshes.

March

March is the last month of 'winter' fishing in Grand Isle, La. But don't let that put you off. Whether you're going offshore to tangle with Wahoo and Tuna or searching for Trout on the inshore flats, there's always something biting.

April

The inshore fishing gets better than ever in April, as Speckled Trout starts to move out of the back marshes and into the Gulf of Mexico. Look for them in shallow coastal waters. Offshore, warm water species are biting!

May

May in Grand Isle will make you spoiled for choice. Mahi Mahi (Dolphin), White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish... it's all happening. Yellowfins are still being caught, but are 70-100 miles out—24 hour trips are recommended.

June

The hot trolling bite just gets better and better. Meanwhile, you can expect Federal Red Snapper season to open at this time of year, letting you keep these tasty bottom fish that live within range of shorter day trips.

July

There's one thing everyone's talking about in July: the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo. This tournament has been happening ever since 1928 and is just as fun to watch as it is to take part in. Will you catch a Silver King?

August

The weather is hot. but that doesn't put off the fish. Blue Marlin come within easy reach, while various types of Snapper and Amberjack are making fishing a tasty treat. Inshore, Trout, Redfish, and Flounder are on the cards.

September

The number of Redfish Rodeos on Grand Isle's events calendar says something about the fishing at this time of year. It's all too easy to catch your limit inshore. Offshore, anglers are making the most of the summer bite.

October

As the waters begin to cool, large Wahoo start showing their heads in nearby waters once again. Yellowfin Tuna start coming closer to the land as they prepare to spawn. You can catch a big one, but they are not so consistent.

November

The waters get colder, meaning Dolphin and Billfish are much more of a rarity. Big Yellowfin Tuna are being brought back to the dock, while inshore fishing is about as good as it gets. Trout and Reds are everywhere!

December

As the offshore fishing gets a little less consistent, some of the larger boats will come back to the docks for refurbishment in December. But if you do get out on the water, you'll find some of the best inshore fishing of the year.

January

February

The Tuna bite remains strong in the cold winter waters, with both Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna reaching impressive sizes. Inshore, Redfish and Speckled Trout are being caught in coastal marshes.

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Grand Isle Fishing Calendar

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What People Are Saying About Grand Isle

"Half Day trip with Captain Sam!"

Patrick P. fished with Fish Commander Charters on May 15, 2019

Watch the surf conditions, tides, and mostly the wind! Patrick

"Grand Isle 8/25/2018 "

Gary L. fished with Capt. John’s Fin-tastic Charters on August 25, 2018

We left the dock around 6am stopped at hot spot #1 loaded the boat with specks, then went out to play with some bull reds. Fighting the monsters with light tackle is a blast. We caught 4 and had one pop the line at the boat. Couldn't have been a better trip for us. We wanted a trout to take home and have the drag squeal a few times and that's what we got.

"Fishing with Daryl"

Samuel G. fished with Reel Screamers Guide Service on August 11, 2018

Fishing in Grand Isle is not a slam dunk if you do not know the area. Get a good guide.

"8 hour trip with Captains Joey and Austin"

Richard R. fished with Down the Bayou Charters on April 11, 2018

There are so many places to fish on and around Grand isle. You can fish from the beaches, from the roadsides, or from the fishing piers for free, or you can launch your own a boat at one of the marinas or free launches or hire a guide to take you fishing (inshore or offshore). It really depends on what you are after. And if you are staying at a camp on Grand Isle, everybody is friendly and free with fishing advice. Check for when certain fish are in season if you are targeting something specific. You can catch something on any day of the year, but you need to follow the creel and size limits and seasons. They are enforced.