Mississippi Inshore Fishing for Skilled Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing for experienced anglers targeting redfish and troutPremium tackle and fishing licenses included on 2022 boatGroups up to 4 guests fish Mississippi's back bays
The Mississippi Gulf Coast's back bays and estuaries offer some of the most rewarding inshore fishing you'll find anywhere along the Gulf. This isn't your typical beginner's trip – we're talking about targeting fish that demand skill, patience, and the right approach. Aboard Charter Boat Family Tradition's 2022 Tidewater Carolina Bay, you and up to three fishing buddies will work the productive waters where redfish, trout, and other prized species make their living. The shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds create the perfect hunting grounds for anglers who know how to read water and present baits with precision.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how serious anglers prefer it. The Mississippi coast's inshore waters are at their best when the sun's low and the fish are actively feeding. You'll be fishing from a boat that's built for these waters – the Carolina Bay handles the shallow spots and tight turns that define successful inshore fishing here. We're not running miles offshore; instead, we're working the intricate network of channels, points, and structure that holds fish year-round. The back bays around Biloxi, Pass Christian, and the barrier islands create a maze of opportunity where local knowledge makes all the difference. Your captain knows which grass beds are holding trout, where the redfish cruise during different tidal phases, and how to position the boat for the best shots at feeding fish. Premium tackle is provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got confidence in specific setups.
Inshore fishing along the Mississippi coast requires a different mindset than open water fishing. We're sight fishing to tailing reds, working topwater over grass flats at dawn, and precisely placing soft plastics along oyster bars where big trout ambush baitfish. The water clarity varies depending on recent weather and tides, so having multiple techniques in your arsenal pays off. On clear days, you might spot redfish pushing wakes in skinny water, demanding accurate casts and quiet approaches. When the water's got some color to it, we switch to rattling baits and scented soft plastics that fish can locate by sound and smell. The provided tackle includes everything from topwater plugs to jigs, but the real skill comes in reading conditions and adapting your presentation. Tidal movement drives everything here – knowing whether to fish the incoming tide on grass flats or target structure on the outgoing tide separates good days from great ones. The boat's shallow draft lets us access spots that bigger vessels can't reach, putting you on fish that don't see as much pressure.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can push 30 inches and fight like they're twice that size. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish feeding aggressively in preparation for their offshore spawning runs. What makes reds so exciting is their willingness to eat topwater baits – there's nothing like watching a big red blow up on a spook or popper in two feet of water. They're also incredibly smart, often requiring multiple presentations before committing to a bite.
Sea trout might not have the raw power of redfish, but they make up for it with numbers and table fare quality. The grass flats and drop-offs around the Mississippi islands hold populations of solid trout, with fish in the 15-20 inch range common and occasional specimens pushing 25 inches. Trout fishing peaks during cooler months when fish stack up in deeper grass beds and around structure. They're suckers for well-presented soft plastics, especially when worked slowly along bottom contours. The key is finding the right depth – too shallow and you'll spook them, too deep and you're not in the feeding zone.
Spanish mackerel show up during warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall, and they bring non-stop action when they're around. These speed demons school up around bait concentrations and will crush small spoons, jigs, and even flies. While they average 12-16 inches, their aggressive strikes and blistering runs make them incredibly fun on light tackle. They're also excellent table fare when iced immediately, making them a favorite for anglers who like to take fish home.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of the inshore scene, with mature fish capable of reaching 40-50 pounds. They're bottom feeders that cruise oyster bars and structure looking for crabs and shellfish. Landing a big drum requires patience and heavy tackle – these fish use their size and the structure to their advantage. Smaller drum in the 5-15 pound range are more common and provide steady action for anglers who don't mind working baits on bottom.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but landing one is incredibly satisfying because of their wariness and fighting ability. These convict-striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, making them notorious for stealing baits without getting hooked. They concentrate around structure, especially during spawning season in early spring. Success requires small hooks, light line, and lightning-fast reflexes. Once hooked, they make powerful runs toward structure, testing both your drag and nerves.
This top-rated inshore experience delivers exactly what skilled anglers are looking for – challenging fishing in productive waters with the right boat and tackle to get the job done. The Mississippi Gulf Coast's back bays don't give up their fish easily, but that's what makes success so rewarding. Whether you're targeting a personal best redfish, filling the cooler with trout, or testing your skills against sheepshead, this trip puts you in position to succeed. The 4-angler capacity keeps things comfortable while ensuring everyone gets plenty of shots at fish. Your fishing license is covered, premium gear is provided, and you're fishing with a captain who knows these waters inside and out
Your fishing platform for Mississippi's inshore waters is a 25-foot Tidewater 2500 Carolina Bay center console powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha outboard. This 2022 boat cuts through Gulf Coast waters smoothly while giving you plenty of deck space to work the flats and marsh edges where redfish and trout hang out. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into shallow spots without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder help you mark productive areas and track bottom structure. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Mississippi days on the water. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's space to spread out whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working soft plastics along oyster bars. The open layout gives everyone clear casting lanes and easy access to the fish box when things get busy.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are bottom-dwelling powerhouses that range from 5-30 pounds in our waters, though the big bulls can hit 50+ pounds. They love shallow muddy flats, oyster bars, and around dock pilings where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring spawning season from March through May is prime time when they school up in the back bays. What makes them special is that deep, thumping fight - they'll test your drag and make long, stubborn runs. Smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones are better released. They're year-round residents but easier to target during cooler months when they move into deeper channels. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom. Keep your bait still and wait for that heavy thump - they don't mess around when they bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, ranging from school-size rats around 20 inches up to monster bulls over 40 inches. Look for that copper-bronze color and the distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges where you can literally see their backs out of the water. Fall is prime time when big schools push through, but we catch them year-round in different spots. What makes reds special is their power - they'll strip drag like a freight train and never give up. Smaller ones are great eating, while the big breeders deserve to go back. They eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Best advice I can give is to stay quiet and watch the water. When you see that signature red flash or tail sticking up, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. Spook them once and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing, running 12-20 inches with those beautiful yellow mouths and black spots. They love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water throughout our bay systems. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. They hit both live bait and artificials hard, making that classic trout headshake that gets your heart pumping. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. During summer, fish early morning and late evening when they move shallow to feed. In winter, they drop into deeper channels and holes. Pro tip: work your lures slow and steady over the grass beds. When you feel that light tick, don't horse them - that soft mouth will tear out if you're too aggressive with the hookset.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Mississippi waters with those distinctive black bars across their silver bodies. Most run 2-6 pounds and have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. You'll find them tight to any hard bottom - bridge pilings, jetties, oyster reefs, and dock supports year-round, but winter through early spring is when they really stack up for spawning. They're notorious bait thieves with delicate bites, so you need sharp hooks and quick reflexes. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - white, flaky meat with a mild flavor. Here's the key: get your bait right against the structure where they feed. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and when you feel that light tap-tap, set the hook hard. They'll try to cut your line on the pilings, so get them away from cover fast.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 2-4 pounds here along the coast. You'll spot their silver bodies with yellow spots schooling near the surface around structure - piers, jetties, and nearshore reefs. They show up best in warmer months when water temps climb above 70°F. These speedsters hit hard and make solid runs, making them fun on light tackle. The meat is excellent - mild flavor that grills up perfectly. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding on baitfish. Here's a tip: when you see diving birds working the surface, get there quick with small spoons or jigs. Spanish mackerel often feed in those same bait schools, and you can catch several before they move on.
Biloxi