New Orleans Fishing Report: Hot Inshore, Offshore Action Abound on Partly Cloudy Spring Day

Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, May 11th, 2025 fishing report for the New Orleans and Gulf of Mexico waters. The sun’s coming up at 6:07 am and setting at 7:46 pm, giving us a solid window to make the most of what’s shaping up to be another action-packed day. Today we’re beginning with light winds and warm temps in the mid-70s climbing to the low 80s by the afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy, and there’s a light breeze out of the southeast—just enough to keep things comfortable and the water moving. The tidal swing is moderate, with a high tide around mid-morning, which usually gets those inshore fish feeding aggressively. The inshore bite around the marshes and bayous has been strong all week, with Redfish leading the charge. Anglers have been pulling in solid reds, many slot-sized and a few brutes over the slot in shallow water. Speckled Trout action is heating up too—good numbers of trout over 20 inches are coming from deeper cuts and channels, while schools of smaller trout are stacked in the passes. Black Drum have also been hitting well, especially on the edges where oyster reefs drop off into deeper holes. Offshore, the bluewater bite has turned on with Mahi-Mahi and Tuna both making appearances for boats running out past the rigs. The fish are actively chasing bait balls, so if you’re heading that way, bring your heavier gear and be ready for some fast action. Best bait and lures this week—live shrimp and market bait are always a go-to for Redfish and Drum, but the locals have been scoring big with artificial paddle-tail soft plastics in chartreuse or white, especially during moving tides. Topwater plugs just after sunrise have been deadly on the trout near grass lines and points. For offshore, trolling with skirted ballyhoo or chugging topwater poppers has been pulling in solid Mahi and even a few blackfin Tuna. For hot spots, you can’t go wrong with the marsh edges around Delacroix and Hopedale for inshore species. Look for moving water and bait activity for best results. If you’re looking offshore, try the South Pass rigs or out toward the Midnight Lump for your shot at big game. All in all, fish are active, the bite is good, and the conditions are ripe for a stellar day on the water. Grab your gear, pack some patience, and get after it. Tight lines, y’all! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.