5.0(2 Reviews)Mississippi Gulf Coast Inshore Fishing
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish and trout in Mississippi's productive back baysFish aboard 2022 Tidewater Carolina Bay with premium equipment includedLicensed guide service accommodates up to four anglers
Picture this: you're cruising the shallow waters of the Mississippi Gulf Coast in a brand-new 2022 Tidewater Carolina Bay, casting lines into some of the most productive inshore waters on the Gulf. This isn't your typical fishing trip—it's a chance to target legendary redfish and speckled trout while exploring the maze of back bays and estuaries that make this coast a top-rated fishing destination. Captain JJ and the Charter Boat Family Tradition team know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish while sharing stories about this historic coastline.
Your day starts aboard a spacious 2022 Tidewater Carolina Bay that's built for comfort and fishing performance. With room for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows. The boat's shallow draft design is perfect for sneaking into those skinny water spots where big reds like to cruise. Captain JJ provides all the top-shelf tackle you'll need—from spinning reels loaded with braid for those hard-fighting drum to lighter setups perfect for finicky trout. Your fishing license is covered, so all you need to bring are drinks, snacks, and that eager attitude. The Mississippi coast's back bays offer a mix of grass flats, oyster bars, and deep cuts that hold different species throughout the day. You might start the morning working a shallow flat for tailing redfish, then move to deeper water around structure for black drum and sheepshead as the sun gets higher.
Inshore fishing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain JJ runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. Live bait fishing with shrimp or small crabs is deadly on redfish and black drum around oyster bars and structure. When the trout are active, you might switch to artificial lures—soft plastics on jig heads or topwater plugs that create explosive strikes in the early morning. The boat carries everything from circle hooks for bottom fishing to popping corks for suspended fish. Sight fishing is a real possibility here, especially for redfish cruising the flats. There's nothing quite like watching a red's back fin cutting through shallow water, then making that perfect cast ahead of the fish. The captain knows when to be quiet and let you work a fish, and when to coach you through fighting something bigger than you expected. The Carolina Bay's trolling motor keeps you positioned perfectly, whether you're drifting a cut or holding on a piece of structure.
"Made a quick trip to Biloxi and chose fishing over the casinos—definitely the right call. Had a great time on the water and caught plenty of fish. Glad I booked it!" - Jamie
"We went not during a great time of year, so catching fish was hit or miss, but we still caught some. Great guide on the history of the area and most importantly really appreciate how he treated my 11 year old son. Captain JJ is a top notch individual." - Justin
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can push 30+ inches and will test your drag system with powerful runs. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish schooling up in the back bays and cruising the flats during moving tides. Reds are notorious for their fighting ability—they'll make long, steady runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. What makes them special here is how they use the structure. Mississippi's oyster bars and grass beds create perfect ambush points where these fish love to feed.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Gulf Coast fishing. These spotted beauties are abundant from spring through fall, with the best action often coming during low-light periods. They typically run 14-20 inches, with bigger "gator trout" possible during cooler months. Specks are fun to catch because they're aggressive feeders and often travel in schools. Find one, and you'll usually find more. They love working the edges of grass beds and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for both live bait and artificial lures.
Spanish Mackerel bring speed and excitement to your fishing day. These streamlined fighters show up in warmer months and are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They typically range 1-3 pounds but make up for size with pure energy. Mackerel are sight feeders that respond well to small spoons and jigs, and they'll often hit lures on the drop. When a school moves through, you can catch them on almost every cast until they disappear as quickly as they arrived.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 40 pounds possible in Mississippi waters. These bottom-dwellers are most active during cooler months and are famous for their bulldogging fights. They don't jump, but they'll use their weight and strength to test your tackle and your patience. Drum love structure—piers, pilings, and oyster bars are prime spots. The key is getting your bait down to them and being ready for that slow, steady pull that signals a big fish.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, known for their incredible ability to steal bait and their human-like teeth. These black and white striped fish are most active in cooler water and are typically found around structure where they feed on barnacles and small crabs. Landing a sheepshead requires quick reflexes and sharp hooks—they're notorious for their light bites and quick escapes. But when you do hook one, they're excellent table fare and a worthy opponent that will test your skills.
Get ready to chase redfish and speckled trout across Mississippi's productive back bays aboard this sweet 2022 Tidewater 2500 Carolina Bay. This 25-footer packs serious fishing power with a 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hotspots fast, plus a whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish in shallow water. The center console layout gives all four anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. Modern electronics including GPS and fish finder help locate structure and baitfish, while the built-in icebox keeps your drinks ice-cold during those hot Gulf Coast afternoons. Top-shelf tackle and your fishing license are included – just bring snacks and beverages. Perfect for targeting the reds, trout, and other inshore species that call Mississippi's estuaries home.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our estuaries, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some pushing 50-plus. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is peak time when they school up and get easier to target. What guests love is the power - these fish will test your arms with bulldogging fights that seem to last forever. They're built like tanks with crushing jaws that crack oysters like potato chips. The smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones get tough. My local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, don't set the hook hard - just lift and lean into them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, averaging 18-30 inches with that signature black spot near their tail. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall is prime time, but they bite year-round in our waters. What guests love most is sight fishing to them in skinny water and watching that bronze back light up when it eats your bait. They're bulldogs that make long runs and never give up easy. The smaller "slot" fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My secret: look for nervous water or wakes on the flats during incoming tides. Throw a gold spoon past them and work it back slowly - they can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter fish, typically 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water. Fall and spring fishing is phenomenal when they're feeding heavy before and after winter. What makes them special is they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. They're also great fighters for their size with nice runs and head shakes. My go-to tip: fish shallow grass flats at dawn and dusk with soft plastics under popping corks. Work it slow with subtle pops, and when that cork disappears, set the hook quick.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, running 2-8 pounds typically. They live around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties - where they pick barnacles and crabs off with their human-like teeth. Winter through spring is best when they're spawning and schooled up tight. Guests love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you knowing. They're some of the best eating fish we catch - white, flaky meat with a sweet flavor. The trick is getting close to structure without spooking them and using fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp on small hooks. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook immediately or they'll steal your bait and laugh at you.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-3 pounds on average, though bigger ones hit 5-6 pounds. You'll spot them in schools near the surface around structures, jetties, and open flats. Spring through fall are prime time when water temps warm up and baitfish are active. They hit hard and make blazing runs that'll test your drag. What makes them special is their speed - they're some of the quickest fish in these waters. The meat is excellent eating with a mild flavor that grills beautifully. My tip: when you see birds working or bait jumping, get there fast and throw small spoons or jigs. They've got razor teeth, so use a short wire leader or they'll cut you off every time.
5.0 out of 5.0Made a quick trip to Biloxi and chose fishing over the casinos—definitely the right call. Had a great time on the water and caught...
We went not during a great time of year, so catching fish was hit or miss, but we still caught some. Great guide on the history o...
Biloxi