New Orleans Bowfishing charter

Fish Species

Red Drum (Redfish)

The red drum, also known as redfish or puppy drum, is named for the drumming sound that the males make with their swim bladders during spawning. Their most distinctive characteristic is their large black spot that appears on their tails which scientists believe is used to trick predators when in imminent danger. The adult red drum matures at three years old and normally ranges in size between six to eight pounds, although the largest one ever caught weighed in at over 94 pounds. These fish will lay still under the water until spooked by movement making them sometimes difficult to shoot with the bow. They are very fast and can move from dormant to full blown explosive. So shoot them while you can.  Although redfish can be prepared in various ways, southern Louisiana residents often like it blackened, and because Louisiana law allows five daily per person with no more than one over 27”, fishermen lucky to catch this delectable fish can try a variety of recipes. At Nawlins Bowfishing you may see some rather large Redfish but please remember we are only allowed to keep one redfish over 27 inches per person on the boat. Don't worry though our guides will let you know when we reached our limit.

Often found in close proximity to the redfish is the black drum. In fact, redfish and black drum can interbreed, forming a hybrid of indistinguishable taste from that of the redfish. Black drum are often found lurking in brackish water and are often mistaken for sheepshead although they have chin barbels rather than teeth as sheepshead do. Black drum normally range in size from five to thirty pounds, but although fishermen may be eager to catch the big ones, those on the smaller end of the 16” minimum total catch length are more delicate in flavor and are easier to clean due to the black drum’s large scales. The rules for catching black drum are the same as its cousin, the redfish.

When sheepshead are around, it looks like there has been a jailbreak. Sheepshead have distinctive black stripes over grey scales and a toothy grin comprised of human-like teeth used for crushing prey. The average weight of an adult ranges from three to four pounds, but sheepshead can grow up to fifteen pounds. Because sheepshead eat mostly shellfish, they tend to have a sweet flavor and firm flesh. Enjoy them boiled, blackened, or baked.

​The southern flounder swims on its side and is often found camouflaging itself in the shallow waters where it lives. Adult flounders have two eyes on the left sides of their bodies, and they typically grow to twelve to fourteen inches long. Flounders will lay still on the bottom of the marsh floor. they are difficult see but often make for an easy kill. Although many fishermen choose to filet flounder, the skin is edible, and flounder is excellent steamed, roasted, or sautéed in its entirety. Fishermen are allowed ten daily with no size limit. Flounders can be very difficult to see because they lay on the floor of the marsh and are sometimes cover in sand. They are usually an easy target though once spotted as they do not spook easily.

​The alligator gar is the largest species of gar fish and is often referred to as a “living fossil” because it maintains some of the same characteristics as its earliest known ancestors. Native Americans living in the South even used the ganoid scales of the alligator gar to craft arrow heads and armor as well as tanning the skins into a durable leather. Alligator gar can grow up to ten feet and are recognizable because they are shaped like torpedoes and have broad snouts and two rows of sharp teeth. For the first part of this century, many communities considered alligator gar as a nuisance. More recently, many states including Louisiana have reevaluated the usefulness of the alligator gar to brackish waterways and have taken steps to protect the remaining species so much so that alligator gar now are in abundance throughout Louisiana marshland areas.

You will see countless number of fish species on your charter. You should only shoot at the fish listen on this page. At NBF you will experience Louisiana's Premier Bowfishing , so make sure to call today and book your trip. We cannot wait to show you New Orleans bowfishing.

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