Charter Fishing Cocodrie Louisiana: Your Complete Guide to Louisiana's Premier Fishing Waters

I've fished all across the South for over 35 years, from the Texas coast to the Florida panhandle, but there's something truly special about charter fishing in Cocodrie, Louisiana that keeps drawing me back to these weathered docks time and time again.

Let me be crystal clear from the start: We don't run charter boats ourselves at Camp Alibi, but we've fished with the best captains in Cocodrie since 1986 — and we're here to help you find them. After nearly four decades of early mornings on these waters, we know exactly which captains will put you on fish and give you stories to tell for years.

Maybe it's the way the morning mist rolls off the bayous, or how the red sunrise paints the marsh grass gold while you're loading tackle for another adventure. But if you're looking for a genuine Cocodrie fishing charter experience that'll give you memories to last a lifetime, you've just struck gold.

Cocodrie isn't just another fishing town – it's the soul of Louisiana's coastal fishing culture. The weathered pilings at Coco Marina, the working boats tied up at dawn, the sound of diesel engines warming up before sunrise – this place has a rhythm that gets into your bones. And when it comes to putting fish in the boat, these waters have been producing trophy catches since before anyone was keeping count.

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Where is Cocodrie, Louisiana – and Why Every Serious Angler Should Know About It

 

Located along the Gulf Coast in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles south of Houma via Highway 56, Cocodrie sits at the absolute sweet spot of Louisiana's fishing ecosystem. This isn't some touristy marina with more gift shops than bait – this is a genuine working fishing village where the locals still make their living from these waters.

What makes Cocodrie fishing so exceptional is the unique geography. You've got the vast Louisiana marsh system spreading out like a spider web of productivity, feeding into Terrebonne Bay and connecting directly to the Gulf of Mexico. It's like having three different fishing worlds all within a 30-minute boat ride.

The depth changes here are perfect – shallow marsh flats for sight-casting redfish, deeper bayou channels for speckled trout, and easy access to the blue water where the big pelagics roam. When I tell people about the fishing diversity in Cocodrie, LA, they think I'm exaggerating until they see it for themselves.

Geographic advantages that make Cocodrie special:

• Direct Gulf of Mexico access via multiple passes

• Protected marsh waters for year-round fishing

• Nutrient-rich waters from Mississippi River influence

• Multiple ecosystem zones within 20 miles of the marina

• Consistent depths ranging from 2 feet to 200+ feet offshore

 

The weather patterns work in your favor too. The protected waters of the inner marsh mean you can fish productively even when the Gulf is rough. And those famous Louisiana sunsets? They're not just pretty – they signal the kind of stable weather patterns that keep fish active and feeding.

Nearby attractions and amenities:

• Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) research facility

• Scenic Highway 56 coastal drive

• Multiple seafood processing facilities showcasing working waterfront

• Easy access to Grand Isle and other coastal destinations

 

What Can You Catch on Charter Fishing in Cocodrie Louisiana? (Spoiler: More Than You Think)

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Let me paint you a picture of what's swimming around out there waiting for your hook. Cocodrie charter fishing isn't just about one or two species – it's about having so many options that choosing can be the hardest part of your day.

 

The Big Three: Louisiana's Holy Trinity of Inshore Fishing

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Redfish (Red Drum) are the stars of the show here. I'm talking about bronze-backed beauties that'll peel drag like a freight train and give you arm-burning fights that last 20 minutes.

The Cocodrie fishing redfish run from schoolie-sized 20-inchers all the way up to bull reds that'll make your reel scream. Spring through fall, these fish are feeding aggressively in the marsh edges, around oyster reefs, and over the grass flats.

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Speckled Trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana fishing, and Cocodrie's waters grow them fat and feisty. June is absolute magic for specks – I've seen limit catches of 3-5 pound trout that fight like they're twice that size.

They love the deeper channels, especially where fresh water mixes with salt, and they'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs at dawn.

 

Flounder might not be the prettiest fish in the Gulf, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the best eating you'll ever put on a plate. These ambush predators lie buried in sandy bottoms near channel drops, and once you learn to read the water, you'll find them everywhere.

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The Supporting Cast That Steals the Show

 

Black Drum grow to mammoth proportions in these waters. I'm talking about fish that can weigh more than most people, with the power to straighten hooks and snap lines.

Winter fishing for big drum around the deeper holes is some of the most exciting fishing you'll find anywhere on the Gulf Coast.

 

Sheepshead are the convict-striped masters of structure fishing. These bait-thieves will test your patience and your knot-tying skills, but when you hook into a nice one around the old pilings or rock jetties, you'll understand why they're called the "poor man's snapper."

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Seasonal Superstars and Offshore Opportunities

 

Depending on when you book your charter fishing Cocodrie Louisiana adventure, you might tangle with some serious offshore muscle.

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Cobia cruise these waters during their spring and fall migrations – brown sharks with attitude that'll take your live bait and head for the horizon.

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Tarpon show up in summer, rolling and crashing in the deeper passes like silver torpedoes. There's nothing quite like watching a hundred-pound tarpon clear the water six feet in the air, shaking its head and rattling your nerves.

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The offshore waters accessible from Cocodrie offer red snapper during the federal seasons, wahoo during the winter months, and if you're willing to run out to the deep water, yellowfin tuna that'll test every piece of tackle you own.

Seasonal Fishing Calendar: When to Target What

 

Spring (March–May)

Target Species: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Late Wahoo
Best Techniques: Live shrimp, soft plastics
Weather Conditions: Mild weather, variable winds

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Summer (June–August)

Target Species: Peak Speckled Trout, Red Snapper, Cobia, Tarpon
Best Techniques: Popping corks, live bait
Weather Conditions: Hot, afternoon storms

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Fall (September–November)

Target Species: Aggressive Redfish, Early Wahoo
Best Techniques: Topwater lures, cut bait
Weather Conditions: Perfect weather, light winds

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Winter (December–February)

Target Species: Black Drum, Sheepshead, Peak Wahoo
Best Techniques: Bottom fishing, offshore trolling
Weather Conditions: Cool, clear water

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What to Expect on Your Cocodrie Fishing Charter Experience

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Let me walk you through what a real Cocodrie charter fishing experience looks like from start to finish, because knowing what to expect makes the difference between a good day and an unforgettable one.

Most charter captains operating out of Coco Marina start early – and I mean early. Plan on meeting your captain between 5:30 and 6:00 AM for a full-day trip.

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Why so early? Because that's when the fish are most active, the water is calmest, and you'll have the whole day to explore different spots without feeling rushed.

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Your captain will have the boat ready to go with all the essential gear:

• Quality rods and reels matched to target species

• Fresh bait (live shrimp, croakers, mullet, whatever's working)

• Plenty of ice for your catch

• All necessary tackle and terminal gear

• Fish cleaning service included

 

Most Cocodrie fishing charters include fish cleaning service too – because let's be honest, you'd rather spend your time fishing than scaling fish.

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What You Should Bring

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Essential items for your charter:

• Louisiana fishing license (required for ages 16+)

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum)

• Polarized sunglasses

• Hat with chin strap

• Weather-appropriate clothing in layers

• Snacks and drinks for the day

• Waterproof phone case

• Camera for trophy photos

 

The Boats and Captains

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The boats operating out of Cocodrie aren't some weekend-warrior rigs. These are serious fishing machines designed for Louisiana's unique conditions – shallow draft for the marsh, stable enough for families, and comfortable enough for all-day trips.

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Most can handle 4-6 anglers comfortably, with plenty of space to fish without tangling lines.

Here's what makes a guided fishing charter in Cocodrie, LA special: your captain doesn't just drive the boat and hand you a rod.

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These guys know these waters like their own backyard. They'll put you on fish, sure, but they'll also teach you how to read the water, when to set the hook, how to fight different species, and they'll share stories that'll make the day memorable whether the fish are biting or not.

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Why Choose a Charter Instead of Going Solo in Cocodrie?

 

I get it – you're thinking you could just rent a boat and figure it out yourself. I thought the same thing the first time I came to Louisiana.

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Three hours later, I was hopelessly lost in a maze of identical-looking bayous with a nearly empty gas tank and no fish to show for it.

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Cocodrie fishing isn't like fishing your hometown lake. This is a complex ecosystem with thousands of acres of fishable water, and without local knowledge, you're basically playing fishing roulette.

Your charter captain has been running these waters for years, sometimes decades. They know where the fish are feeding based on tides, weather, season, and about a hundred other variables you haven't even thought of.

 

The Economics Make Sense

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Let's talk about the money angle too. By the time you factor in:

• Boat rental ($300-500/day)

• Gas ($100-200 depending on distance)

• Tackle and bait ($50-100)

• Ice and supplies ($25-50)

• Learning curve and time lost figuring out productive water

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You're likely to spend as much as a charter would cost, with far less chance of success.

 

Local Knowledge is Priceless

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Charter captains have relationships with local bait suppliers and know where to get the good stuff – not the leftover shrimp that's been sitting in the marina cooler for three days.

But here's the real reason to book a charter: the local knowledge is priceless. These captains don't just know where to fish – they know how to fish each spot.

Which lures work best on which structure. How to adjust your technique when conditions change. When to move to a different area if the bite slows down.

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Safety and Family Considerations

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The safety factor is huge too. Louisiana's coastal waters can change quickly, and having an experienced captain who knows the area, has proper safety equipment, and can navigate home in any conditions gives you peace of mind to just focus on fishing and having fun.

If you're bringing the family or introducing someone to fishing, having a professional guide makes all the difference. Kids especially love having a captain who can teach them technique, help them land fish, and keep them engaged when the action slows down.

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Meet the Camp Alibi Team – Your Local Fishing Connections Since 1986

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Now, I need to be straight with you about something important. The folks at Camp Alibi – Steve Copley, Walter Stuart, and Stephen Babcock – they'll be the first to tell you they're lawyers first and "terrible fishermen" second.

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But here's what they won't tell you: they've been fixtures in Cocodrie's fishing community since 1986, and they know every single captain worth fishing with in these waters.

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Steve Copley has been the heart of Camp Alibi operations for nearly four decades. A practicing attorney who's spent more mornings on Cocodrie's waters than in courtrooms, Steve has built relationships with the area's top fishing guides through shared early mornings and late evenings on the water.

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Walter Stuart brings decades of Louisiana fishing experience and an eye for what makes a great captain. His networking within the local fishing community means access to the guides who consistently put clients on fish.

 

Stephen Babcock rounds out the trio with his knowledge of family fishing needs and group dynamics. He understands that different groups need different approaches – from corporate outings to kids' first fishing trips.

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Our Captain Network

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These guys have built relationships with the best guides operating out of Coco Marina over nearly four decades. They've fished with them, learned from them, and earned their respect through years of shared experiences on these waters.

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When they recommend a captain for your charter fishing Cocodrie Louisiana adventure, it's based on decades of firsthand experience.

 

The captains they work with aren't just skilled fishermen – they're educators, entertainers, and genuinely good people who understand that a successful charter isn't just about the fish count, it's about the entire experience.

What sets our recommended captains apart:

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• Proper licenses and comprehensive insurance

• Maintained equipment to highest safety standards

• Reputations built through consistent success

• Specialization in different fishing styles and group types

• Commitment to education and customer satisfaction