Fly Fest Charters

Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Jeff Raines

Jeff Raines

Independent Guide
Talkative
Laid-back
Instructional
Expert Oriented
Adventurous
Quality
Captain Jeff grew up fly fishing for trout and bass in the waters surrounding Washington DC. When he was 17 he went on his first fishing trip in Leeville, Louisiana and ended up attending Loyola University the next fall. He had his first flat boat by his junior year in college and has been fishing the waters from Grand Isle to the Biloxi marsh ever since.

Jeff originally moved to New Orleans to catch fish and to pursue a career in music, and has succeeded substantially at both. He is the lead guitar player in the New Orleans funk band Galactic and is co owner of what many regard as the greatest music venue on the planet, the legendary Tipitinas. This makes Jeff the ideal Louisiana Redfish Charter Guide for those music fans who love to catch fish!

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Jeff Raines

Jeff Raines

Independent Guide
Captain Jeff grew up fly fishing for trout and bass in the waters surrounding Washington DC. When he was 17 he went on his first fishing trip in Leeville, Louisiana and ended up attending Loyola University the next fall. He had his first flat boat by his junior year in college and has been fishing the waters from Grand Isle to the Biloxi marsh ever since.

Jeff originally moved to New Orleans to catch fish and to pursue a career in music, and has succeeded substantially at both. He is the lead guitar player in the New Orleans funk band Galactic and is co owner of what many regard as the greatest music venue on the planet, the legendary Tipitinas. This makes Jeff the ideal Louisiana Redfish Charter Guide for those music fans who love to catch fish!
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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
My passion is sight fishing bull redfish on fly rods or light spinning tackle. My biggest to date is forty pounds.
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
I grew up in Maryland so I would steam blue crabs.
What’s your favorite band?
I am also a professional musician. I am the guitar player of Galactic a New Orleans funk band and part owner of the music venue Tipitinas
What’s your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is The Goonies

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
My passion is sight fishing bull redfish on fly rods or light spinning tackle. My biggest to date is forty pounds.
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
I grew up in Maryland so I would steam blue crabs.
What’s your favorite band?
I am also a professional musician. I am the guitar player of Galactic a New Orleans funk band and part owner of the music venue Tipitinas
What’s your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is The Goonies
What’s your favorite sports team?
I am an avid tennis player and have always loved to watch Rafa Nadal.
What’s your drink of choice?
I like an Arnold Palmer on a hot day.
What was your last halloween costume?
Sorcerer
What do you want for Christmas this year?
I would like a Garmin trolling motor.
How did you get started guiding?
Five years ago I ended up selling my bay boat and flats skiff and upgraded to a 17 Maverick flats skiff. After thirty years of chasing redfish all over the southeast Louisiana coastal marshes I knew I was uniquely qualified for a career as a redfish guide.
What makes you different from other guides?
I have fished with guides all over the United States, the Caribbean and Central America. I have learned that the most important thing on a chartered fishing trip is that its the customers day and what they want to do comes first. I get tons of what I call "fly or die" clients who no matter what the conditions only want to fly fish. I try and come prepared for whatever the client might want to do on any given day. I never loose my temper or make an angler feel bad if things don't go our way. I believe the only way to learn how to fight big fish on light tackle is to do it. On every trip my goal is to give my customer a shot at the redfish of a lifetime.
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Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip

NEW 1 - 2 People 4 - 8 Hours From $500
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip

About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

Captain Jeff is here to offer guided fly fishing and light tackle spinning rod trips in the saltwater marshes south of New Orleans, making him one of the premiere Louisiana Redfish charters. Since he is located in the city, he can fish on either the east or west side of the Mississippi River depending on the time of year and conditions, with Port Sulphur and Venice on the west side and Hopedale and Delacroix on...

About Your Trip

Captain Jeff is here to offer guided fly fishing and light tackle spinning rod trips in the saltwater marshes south of New Orleans, making him one of the premiere Louisiana Redfish charters. Since he is located in the city, he can fish on either the east or west side of the Mississippi River depending on the time of year and conditions, with Port Sulphur and Venice on the west side and Hopedale and Delacroix on the east.

The early fall when the big fish come back into the marsh from offshore is prime time but the fishing is spectacular all year round. The primary target on these trips is to catch and release giant redfish but black drum, sheepshead, jack crevalle, speckled trout and even giant alligator gar populate the same waters.

Trips usually start around 8:00am and go till around 4:00 because the sun needs to be up to be able to see the fish. In the hotter months trips start earlier so you aren’t out there in the hottest part of the day.

His boat is a seventeen-foot Maverick Mirage II with a 90-horsepower Etec strapped to the back. It has a custom front-casting platform with a rail for added stability. This flats skiff is ideal for fishing the marshes and bayous that surround New Orleans.

All gear is provided. Captain Jeff ties his own spoon flies and has a ton of tasty-looking crab and shrimp patterns under development. Not to mention plenty of Clouser minnows and poppers queued up as well. He always keeps a 10 or 12-weight fly rod rigged and ready in case you see a big Jack feeding. If you want to bring your own gear that’s also fine. For the spinning enthusiast, Captain Jeff likes to use small suspending crankbaits with inline hooks, gold spoons, and topwater baits whenever possible.
Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Flexible Cancelation

The deposit for this trip is non-refundable.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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About Your Boat

Boat photo for Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
Boat Type
Skiff
Boat Manufacturer
Maverick Mirage II
Year Built
2008
Boat Length
17'

About Your Boat

Boat Type
Skiff
Boat Manufacturer
Maverick Mirage II
Year Built
2008
Boat Length
17'
Engine Manufacturer
Etec
Total Horsepower
90
Number of Engines
1
Additional Amenities
Front-Casting Platform with a rail, Power Pole, Latest Electronics, Cooler for ice and driinks
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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Redfish
Not Ideal
Not Ideal
Good
Good
Great
Great
Good
Good
Great
Good
Good
Not Ideal
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  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Fly Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing

Types of Fishing

Flats
Inshore

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Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
November 9th, 2022
Hopedale, Louisiana
Louisiana Salt Marsh Fly Trip
April 11th, 2023
Hopedale, Louisiana
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June 6th, 2024
Hopedale, Louisiana
Birding
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Hopedale, Louisiana
Birding
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Hopedale, Louisiana
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