Louisiana Fishing Help

[Poutwhacker]

I know this is the "Fishing Minnesota Forum", but I am hoping for some info from my fellow Minnesotans...

My wife and I are flying to the Gulf Coast in 3 weeks and will be driving from New Orleans to Apalachicola, FL. I've never fished down there and would appreciate any help on where to fish (Venice/Grand Isle, etc) , charter boats/guides and any other info I can get. Target fish are redfish, speckled trout and possibly off-shore fishing. The biggest issue I am running into is it would be just me fishing and it is very expensive to go out by yourself.

Hoping to find someone who would let me join in with another group to help cut costs. I've been able to do this on the Great Lakes or on L. O. W.

Thanks in Advance

[Mike89]

you can surf fish too...  wish I was going too!!!

[papadarv]

Off shore Gulf fishing is great. Charters are 4, 6, 8 & 10 hours. Cost for a charter is about $100 to &125 per hour so 4 hour will be $400 to $500 etc. + $100 cash for First Mate who does most of the work. Most Capt. like 4 to 5 people on a trip and often have a "split" charter where a 2 or 3 person group would like additional persons on the trip to share cost which is equally divided by each person. Individual cost $100 to $125 + $25 for tip on a 4 hour trip.  Lisc. rods, bait inclusive but bring your own lunch & beverage. Google charters for your area you want to fish, you'll get a dozen or so charters. My brother had a charter until last year in Cortez Fla. My last trip was 6 hours where 3 of us got 196 fish including Grouper, Lain/Mango snapper, grunt, sea bass and 2 sail fish released and others. They also clean all your fish. Red Snapper (most sauhgt fish) season is 3 weeks in July.

[Poutwhacker]

Thanks papadarv. That's what I was looking for.