Top 10 Saltwater Fish to Catch in Louisiana
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Redfish
Verified
World Record
94 lb 2 oz
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
Signature Fact
Males literally drum-low booms you can feel through the hull on calm spawning nights.
2
Speckled Trout
Verified
World Record
17 lb 7 oz
Floyd B. Smith / 1995
Florida, USA
Floyd B. Smith / 1995
Florida, USA
Signature Fact
Males crank ultrafast sonic muscles to drum in booming dusk choruses you can pinpoint with a $30 hydrophone.
3
Southern Flounder
Verified
World Record
20 lb 9 oz
David H. Self / 1983
North Carolina, USA
David H. Self / 1983
North Carolina, USA
Signature Fact
Warm nursery water flips their sex switch-hot summers churn out mostly males, gutting future trophy female numbers.
4
Red Snapper
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
50 lb 4 oz
Gary J. Fodness / 1996
Gulf of Mexico
Gary J. Fodness / 1996
Gulf of Mexico
Signature Fact
During summer evenings they drum with their swim bladders, letting scientists track spawning simply by listening.
5
Black Drum
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
113 lb 1 oz
John W. Stewart / 1975
Delaware Bay, USA
John W. Stewart / 1975
Delaware Bay, USA
Signature Fact
Massive schools beat their swim bladders so hard during spawning that boat hulls vibrate like subwoofers.
6
Tarpon
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
286 lb 9 oz
Max Domecq / 2003
Guinea-Bissau
Max Domecq / 2003
Guinea-Bissau
Signature Fact
They breathe air using a lung-like swim bladder, so those surface "rolls" are actual gulps of oxygen.
7
Gafftopsail Cat
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
16 lb 8 oz
Joseph W. Bailey / 1996
Texas, USA
Joseph W. Bailey / 1996
Texas, USA
Signature Fact
Dad does daycare the hard way: he mouthbroods marble-sized eggs and hungry babies, fasting for weeks.
8
Sheepshead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
21 lb 4 oz
Fred J. Jenson / 1982
St. Augustine, Florida
Fred J. Jenson / 1982
St. Augustine, Florida
Signature Fact
They grow a full set of human-looking incisors backed by three upper and two lower molar rows-nature's oyster-cracker.
9
Cobia
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
135 lb 9 oz
Robert Davis / 1985
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Robert Davis / 1985
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Signature Fact
They're freeloading ambushers, tailgating rays and sharks without a sucker disk, stealing every critter the host spooks.
10
King Mackerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
93 lb 0 oz
Steve Graulau / 1976
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Steve Graulau / 1976
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Signature Fact
The first run can torch 200 yards and smoke your drag-big ones are literally called "smokers.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Louisiana?
You’ll find redfish, speckled trout, southern flounder, red snapper, black drum, tarpon, and more in Louisiana’s saltwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Louisiana?
Spring and fall usually bring the most consistent saltwater fishing action in Louisiana.
Where are the best places to fish in Louisiana?
Stick to Louisiana’s coastal saltwater for prime shots at redfish, trout, and flounder. Exact spots depend on conditions and target species.
What gear do you need for fishing in Louisiana?
Medium spinning or baitcasting setups cover most saltwater targets like redfish and trout, but heavier tackle is smart for tarpon or big drum.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Louisiana?
Redfish, speckled trout, and gafftopsail catfish are usually the most accessible saltwater catches around Louisiana.
