The average cost for a four hour trip in Shell Beach is $556, while the average cost for an 8 hour trip is $755. Prices can vary based on trip duration, boat size and amenities, and the type of fishing your group is looking to do. View all Shell Beach Charters here.
There are no shared trips currently available in Shell Beach. View all Shell Beach Charters here.
The most common charter boat types in Shell Beach are:
Bay Boat
Center Console
The average charter boat size in Shell Beach is 32 feet.
Shell Beach is an unincorporated community located in Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish, situated on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Canal. Local landmarks reflect the community’s history ranging from Fort Proctor, a 19th century fort built to protect water routes to New Orleans, to the St. Bernard Parish Hurricane Katrina Memorial, built in 2006. About an hour’s drive south of New Orleans, Shell Beach provides residents and tourists alike a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a quaint waterfront retreat. The community’s location on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Canal provides for some fantastic inshore fishing opportunities, as well as access to the open water of the Gulf where lunkers lurk.
Inshore fishing in Shell Beach is typically focused on spotted seatrout and redfish, although flounder and sheepshead are targeted as well. Shell Beach’s location provides boaters with easy access to Lake Borgne and the Breton Sound, both of which are inshore hotspots. Spotted seatrout are also known as speckled trout, or simply “Specks.” Though not the biggest inshore fish, anglers target them for their abundance, aggressive nature, and delicious food quality. They can essentially be caught year round, and provide tons of excitement for anglers of all ages and skill levels. The peak season for large speckled trout in this area is between April and June, when the water is heating up and the trout are spawning. Once weather temperatures start reaching consistent averages in the 80’s, the spawn is in full swing. It is important to get on the water early, as the larger spawning trout become lethargic in the midday heat. Transitioning through the August and September post-spawn period, the trout bite slows down, and trout feed less consistently and move less predictably. Although trout can be caught during this time period, many anglers begin targeting redfish or other inshore species. Once October comes back around, the trout begin feeding more aggressively again to fatten themselves up for winter. Although trout may be smaller than during the spawn, their numbers will be plentiful. It is not uncommon for anglers to be able to hit their daily creel limit in one spot in the fall. Redfish are another sought after fish in the Shell Beach area, with fights marked by powerful runs and seemingly unending stamina. These fish grow much larger than seatrout, and are also great eating. Be sure to check local regulations before harvesting a redfish, as there are typically strict size and bag limits. Similar to trout, your best shot at a big redfish is in March, April, May, and June, although numbers are more plentiful in the cooler months. Redfish can be caught on a range of bait including spoons, topwater plugs, jigs, as well as live and cut bait. Anglers fishing for redfish near structure will want to use slightly heavier tackle to ensure that they have the equipment needed to get a bull red out of cover. The good news for Shell Beach inshore anglers is that something is biting year round, whether that’s a redfish, trout, black drum, jack, or flounder. If you plan on getting some fishing in at Shell Beach, especially if you are visiting from out of town, get in touch with a local fishing guide to maximize your chances of success.
Although the inshore fishing in Shell Beach is great 12 months out of the year, there is plenty of action to be found offshore as well. The Gulf is dotted with natural and man-made reefs as well as oil rigs and wrecks that provide habitat to some of the most sought after offshore species including snapper, grouper, kingfish, and amberjack. The Gulf of Mexico is home to a number of different grouper species, but black and gag grouper are among the most popular. These bottom-dwellers are very strong, but they are not exceptionally fast, nor do they display the energetic bursts that anglers would expect from a kingfish for example. Grouper are somewhat opportunistic feeders as well, often lying in wait for a meal to pass by. Instead of a line stripping run, grouper are known for taking your bait back into the structure or reef that they were hiding in. This can easily lead to a snagged or broken line, and consequently, a lost fish. Anglers will want to use slightly heavier tackle in order to pull the fish away from structure and up to the boat. When it comes to snapper in the Gulf, the red snapper is king. Prized for their food quality, the red snapper fishery is heavily regulated, so be sure to check the most up-to-date regulations and limits if you plan on targeting red snapper for dinner. Much like the grouper, snapper typically lie in wait near structure such as sunken vessels, reefs, and oil rigs. They are typically caught in 60 to 200+ feet of water, and can fight with more energy than grouper. Anglers will want to ensure their tackle is up for the test. Shell Beach offshore anglers also head out into the Gulf to target wahoo and yellowfin tuna. Wahoo are similar to kingfish in that they are built for speed and use it to their advantage when hooked. Wahoo are typically bigger than kingfish on average, and often regarded as better table fare. Anglers will troll offshore at a relatively high speed to get a wahoo to strike. When it does, hold on!
Whether you are looking to fish the inshore lagoons and marshes or the offshore wrecks and reefs, Shell Beach has something to offer to anglers 365 days a year. Booking a last minute charter during peak season will be near impossible, so it is important to plan your trip in advance. Reserve a Shell Beach fishing charter with only 10% today on FishAnywhere.com.