Down The Bayou Charters Crew

Meet The Captains | Grand Isle, LA

Captain Joey Maciasz

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Captain Joey has explored the rich waters of coastal Louisiana all of his life.

Trout fishing and duck hunting weren’t enough for Joey, so he turned to the deep blue. He always says, “There is nothing on this planet that is more exciting than a yellowfin tuna flying out the water chasing bait”. From day one, Captain Joey fell in love with the excitement of offshore fishing. He really appreciates the diversity of the Gulf and enjoys the challenge of targeting different species of fish! If you really want to see him excited, ask him about grouper fishing.

When he leaves the dock, you can be sure he is giving it his all to bring home a box full of fish and some tired customers.

Captain Owen

Captain Owen has spent the last decade honing his skills in offshore fishing across multiple sportfishing destinations. His primary domain has been the northern Gulf of Mexico, where he passionately pursues a diverse array of species, from elusive blue marlin to exotic grouper. Owen finds great satisfaction in the region's rich biodiversity, relishing the ability to target numerous species from a single location. With his extensive experience and deep-seated love for marine life, Captain Owen continues to thrive in the dynamic world of offshore fishing.

Capt. Owen Belknap is an experienced angler with years of experience chasing offshore and inshore fish in the north central Gulf. He has developed a passion for chasing trophy redfish in the shallow marshes surrounding the Port Fourchon area. Capt. Belknap currently runs a 17 Maverick HPXV and enjoys teaching his anglers not just to throw a fly, but to become anglers who can read fish and respond accordingly.

Captain Hayden

Capt. Hayden is from Charleston, South Carolina where he grew up fishing inshore and offshore. In recent years, he’s worked on a commercial bottom fishing and trolling boat all along the Atlantic coast because recreational fishing just wasn’t enough. “Fishing in the gulf is an experience unlike any other, the ability to target such a diverse variety of species is the best part.” Whether you’re looking for a meat haul or looking to catch that fish of a lifetime Capt. Hayden will do his very best to ensure a safe & memorable trip!

Captain Mikey

Captain Evan Hileman

Evan Hileman, nicknamed Poppa, was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a true hearted Louisiana sportsman. He grew up fishing in Port Fourchon and Venice, Louisiana. Before his fishing career, he worked on the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico which made him knowledgeable on all the best fishing spots. He is known for catching billfish and deep dropping for grouper, tile, mangrove. Anyone who comes on his boat always leave with a smile!

Captain Joe Von Thron

Joe VT hails from Jacksonville, Florida, where he has built a career running fishing charters for over a decade. With extensive experience spanning from the West Coast to the East Coast, Joe considers the North Central Gulf his home turf. Joe fishing for Gulf of American Fishing charters. During the fall and winter months, you'll find him in Venice, Louisiana, chasing XL yellowfin tuna.

In the summer, Joe shifts his operations to Down the Bayou Charters where he continues to target tuna in the canyons while relishing the diverse bottom fishing opportunities. He skillfully pursues a variety of grouper and other bottom dwellers, showcasing his versatility and deep-seated passion for marine life.

With Joe's wealth of knowledge and dedication to the craft, he ensures each charter is not only a successful fishing trip but also a memorable adventure filled with excitement and camaraderie