Mississippi Gulf Coast Inshore Fishing
The Mississippi Gulf Coast delivers some of the most productive inshore fishing in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and Charter Boat Family Tradition knows exactly where to find the action. You'll be fishing aboard a 2022 Tidewater Carolina Bay, a purpose-built inshore machine that gets you into the shallow water haunts where redfish and speckled trout make their living. These protected waters offer consistent fishing year-round, with grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges that hold impressive numbers of gamefish. Whether you're casting topwater plugs at first light or working soft plastics through deeper cuts, the Mississippi coast's back bays provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable day on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Your captain will have you rigged and ready with top-of-the-line tackle perfectly matched to the day's conditions and target species. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water, the next you could be drifting live shrimp over structure for black drum. The Tidewater's shallow draft lets you access areas where bigger boats can't go, putting you right in the strike zone where these fish feed. Your fishing license is included, so all you need to bring is your appetite for action and some snacks and drinks to keep you fueled. The boat's layout gives all four anglers plenty of room to cast without tangling lines, and the captain will rotate fishing spots to make sure everyone gets their shots at quality fish.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
Inshore fishing along the Mississippi coast requires reading water, understanding tides, and knowing when to switch up your approach. You'll be using medium-action spinning gear loaded with braided line for better sensitivity and hook-setting power in these shallow waters. Depending on conditions, you might be throwing everything from topwater plugs and spoons to soft plastics and live bait rigs. The captain will teach you how to work different lures – the steady retrieve that triggers speckled trout, the erratic action that drives redfish crazy, or the slow presentation that convinces finicky sheepshead to bite. Structure fishing around oyster bars and bridge pilings requires precision casting, while working the grass flats calls for covering water methodically until you locate active schools. The key is staying versatile and letting the fish tell you what they want on any given day.
Customer Stories
"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
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most exciting action you'll find in shallow water. Adults typically run 20 to 30 inches along this coast, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in during fall and winter months. Reds feed aggressively in water so shallow their backs break the surface, making for heart-stopping topwater strikes. They're ambush predators that use oyster bars, grass edges, and drop-offs to surprise baitfish, which means you'll often find them in predictable spots. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though these fish bite year-round when you know where to look.
Sea trout, locally called specks, are the bread and butter of Mississippi's inshore scene. These spotted beauties average 14 to 18 inches, with trophy fish pushing 24 inches or better during peak season. Speckled trout are structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, shell banks, and channel edges where they can pin baitfish. They're most active during moving water, feeding heavily on shrimp, small crabs, and finger mullet. Late spring and early summer produce the largest concentrations, though knowledgeable anglers catch specks throughout the year by adjusting depth and presentation. Their soft mouths require a smooth drag and steady pressure – horse them and you'll lose more than you land.
Spanish mackerel bring speed and excitement to every trip, slashing through bait schools with incredible ferocity. These silver rockets rarely exceed 20 inches but make up for size with pure aggression and blistering runs. They're most abundant during warmer months, often feeding so aggressively they'll hit almost any small, fast-moving lure. Spanish mackerel are excellent table fare when bled and iced immediately, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are essential, and their explosive strikes will test your reflexes.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds common around Mississippi's deeper shell reefs and bridge pilings. These powerful fish are bottom feeders that crush crabs and oysters with ease, requiring stout tackle and serious patience. They're most active during cooler months, though smaller "puppy" drum provide action year-round in shallower water. Black drum fight with bulldogging power rather than speed, using their broad sides and stubborn nature to test your gear. Finding feeding drum often means locating active crab beds or fresh oyster shell.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that separates good anglers from great ones, with their human-like teeth and notorious bait-stealing abilities. These black-and-white striped convicts rarely grow large in inshore waters, but their wariness and light bite make them a worthy opponent. They're most active around structure – bridge pilings, oyster bars, and dock lines – where they pick off crabs and barnacles. Sheepshea