Mississippi Inshore Fishing for Beginners
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Beginner-friendly inshore fishing targeting redfish and trout2022 Tidewater boat accommodates up to four guests comfortablyAll equipment and fishing licenses included in trip
Looking to get your feet wet in the Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing scene? This beginner-friendly inshore trip puts you right where the action happens – in the protected back bays and estuaries where fish love to hang out. You'll be fishing from a brand-new 2022 Tidewater Carolina Bay that's built for comfort and stability, perfect when you're still getting your sea legs. We keep groups small at just 4 anglers max, so you get plenty of one-on-one time to learn the ropes without feeling rushed or crowded.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast's inshore waters are like a giant fish nursery – shallow, protected, and loaded with structure that attracts everything from schooling trout to bull redfish. You'll be fishing in water that's typically 2-8 feet deep, which means you can actually see the bottom and watch fish react to your bait. The Tidewater Carolina Bay sits low to the water, making it easy to land fish and move around the boat safely. Since we're staying inshore, you won't deal with big waves or rough seas – just calm, fishable water that lets you focus on learning technique instead of fighting seasickness. Your captain provides all the gear, from light spinning rods perfect for beginners to a full tackle box of proven baits and lures. Plus, your fishing license is covered, so you literally just show up with drinks and snacks.
Inshore fishing is all about reading the water and presenting baits where fish naturally feed. You'll learn to cast live shrimp under popping corks near oyster bars where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. For trout, we'll show you how to work soft plastics along grass lines and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. The beauty of fishing these back bays is that you can see structure – fallen trees, shell beds, and grass flats – so you understand why fish are in certain spots. We use light tackle that lets you feel every bite and fight, typically 2500-size spinning reels spooled with 15-20 lb braided line. When Spanish mackerel are running, we'll switch to small spoons and jigs that mimic the glass minnows they're chasing. The boat's shallow draft lets us get into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, putting you on fish that don't see much pressure.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason – they're aggressive, fight hard, and hang around year-round. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and aren't too picky about what they eat. You'll find them tailing in 2-3 feet of water during warm months, pushing wakes as they cruise oyster bars and grass flats. Slot-size reds (16-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls (30+ inches) provide arm-burning fights before you release them. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up and feed heavily.
Speckled trout are the other main target, and they're probably the most fun fish to catch on light tackle. These spotted beauties hit hard and jump when hooked, making every fight exciting. Mississippi's grass flats hold good numbers of trout from spring through fall, with the best action happening during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. They're structure-oriented fish, so we'll work shell beds, points, and channel edges where they set up to ambush prey. Keeper trout here run 14-20 inches typically, with some true gator trout pushing 25+ inches during peak season.
Spanish mackerel show up when the water warms, usually from late spring through early fall. These speed demons hit lures so hard they'll nearly pull the rod out of your hands. They school up and feed aggressively on glass minnows and small baitfish, often creating surface action that's visible from a distance. At 2-4 pounds, they're perfect for light tackle and make excellent table fare. The key is finding the bait schools – where there are glass minnows, Spanish mackerel won't be far behind.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with big ones pushing 40+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp around structure like bridge pilings, reefs, and oyster bars. While not the fastest fighters, their sheer size and power make them tough opponents on medium tackle. Younger drum (under 16 inches) make good eating, while the big breeders get released to keep the population strong. They bite year-round but are most active during cooler months when they move into shallow water to feed.
Sheepshead are the trickiest fish you'll target – they're notorious bait stealers with human-like teeth that can crush crabs and barnacles. Finding them isn't hard since they stick close to structure like docks, pilings, and reefs. The challenge is detecting their subtle bite and setting the hook before they steal your bait. But land one and you'll have some of the best-eating fish in the Gulf. They're most active during cooler months when they move inshore to spawn, with March and April being prime time for big spawning fish.
Mississippi's inshore waters offer some of the most beginner-friendly fishing on the Gulf Coast, and Charter Boat Family Tradition knows these waters like the back of their hand. You get quality gear, expert instruction, and access to fish that bigger boats can't reach – all at a pace that lets you actually learn instead of just going through the motions. The small group size means everyone gets hands-on attention, whether you're learning to tie knots or fighting your first redfish. With your license included and gear provided, this is the easiest way to see what Gulf Coast fishing is all about
Step aboard our 25-foot Tidewater 2500 Carolina Bay and get ready to explore Mississippi's productive inshore waters. This center console boat runs on a reliable 300HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fishing spots quickly and efficiently. The spacious layout gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines, while the built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold throughout the day. When we need to sneak up on redfish in shallow water, the wireless trolling motor lets us move silently through the marsh. The GPS navigation system helps us find proven fishing holes, and the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Perfect for beginners who want to learn proper techniques while targeting trout, redfish, and other Gulf Coast favorites in the back bays and estuaries where the action happens.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. They hang around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water, using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What guests love is the strong, steady fight - no flashy jumps, just pure power that'll test your back and drag. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough. Here's the key: fresh crab bait on the bottom and patience. They'll pick at your bait before committing, so when you feel that steady pull, set the hook hard and hang on.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers with black spots near their tails, ranging from schoolie-sized 16-27 inchers to bull reds over 30 inches. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster beds, and marsh edges - sometimes with their backs out of the water. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being peak times. What gets people hooked is watching them cruise the shallows and that powerful run when they feel the hook. Slot-sized fish are excellent table fare with mild, firm meat. My go-to strategy: look for nervous water or tailing fish in knee-deep flats, then cast ahead of them with gold spoons or live shrimp. Keep quiet - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or specks as we call them, are beautiful silvery fish with black spots that typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds in our grass flats and shallow bays. They love structure like oyster bars, drop-offs, and channel edges in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime, especially early morning and evening. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their decent fight for their size. The soft, white meat is delicate and tasty when cooked right. Here's my tip: work the grass flats with a popping cork and live shrimp, or throw soft plastics under lights at night. Don't horse them - that soft mouth tears easily, so keep steady pressure and use a net.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish with black bars and human-like teeth, typically 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings. They're structure huggers that rarely venture far from cover, feeding on crabs, barnacles, and shrimp. Winter and early spring are best when they school up for spawning. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that require skill to detect. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My trick: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab, get right against the structure, and set the hook at the slightest tap. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick enough.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast-moving silver rockets that typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches along our coast. You'll find them schooling near the surface around structure - jetties, piers, and oil rigs - especially during spring and fall when water temps are right. They hit hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. What makes them special is their speed and the way they hunt in packs, often creating feeding frenzies that are pure chaos. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and perfect for grilling. My tip: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you see birds diving, get there fast - the school might disappear as quickly as it showed up.
Biloxi