Mississippi Inshore Fishing with Chasing Dots
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and flounderFamily-friendly charter perfect for introducing children to saltwater anglingSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Looking for some solid inshore action in Mississippi waters? You've found the right crew. Our 4-hour fishing trips with Chasing Dots put you right where the fish are biting – in the productive bays and around the inshore reefs that Mississippi's coast is known for. This isn't just another charter; it's your chance to get into some real Gulf Coast fishing with guides who know these waters like the back of their hand. We keep it simple with small groups – just 3 anglers max – so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler wanting to explore Mississippi's inshore fishery, we've got you covered.
Mississippi's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing action on the Gulf Coast, and that's exactly where we'll spend our day. We launch early and head straight to the productive flats, grass beds, and reef structures where redfish, trout, and flounder call home. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're working a shallow oyster bar for reds, the next you're drifting a grass flat for speckled trout. Our boats are rigged specifically for this type of fishing, with shallow drafts that let us get into those back-country spots where the big fish hide. The Mississippi Sound and its network of bays create the perfect nursery habitat, which means steady action throughout the trip. Don't worry about experience level – our guides are patient teachers who love sharing their knowledge, especially when it comes to helping kids land their first fish. The 4-hour window gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots and adapt to what's biting best that day.
Inshore fishing in Mississippi requires finesse and local knowledge, which is exactly what you'll get on these trips. We primarily use light tackle – spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid – that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while having enough backbone for the fight. Live bait is king out here, and we'll have fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows ready to go. For artificial lures, we rely heavily on soft plastics rigged on jig heads, topwater plugs during the right conditions, and suspending baits around structure. The technique varies based on what we're targeting and where we find them. Sight fishing for tailing redfish in skinny water is pure adrenaline, while working live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds is deadly for trout. Around the inshore reefs and structures, we'll bump jigs along the bottom for flounder, drum, and sheepshead. All tackle and bait are included, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you have favorites. Our guides will teach you the local techniques that work best in these specific waters – knowledge that you'll be able to use for years to come.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in our waters, with plenty of oversized bull reds mixed in during fall and spring. What makes them special is their aggressive attitude and powerful runs – they'll tear drag and test your skills every time. Peak season runs from April through November, though we catch them year-round. They love shallow oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges, often feeding in water so shallow their backs are exposed. The sight of a red's tail breaking the surface as it feeds is something every angler should experience.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as we call them, are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing. These beautiful fish average 14-18 inches with some reaching trophy proportions over 20 inches. They're most active during cooler months, from October through March, making them perfect targets when other species slow down. Specks are structure-oriented, holding around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bottoms. What anglers love most is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent eating. The key is finding the right depth – they'll move shallow early and late, then slide out to deeper grass beds during midday.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, and Mississippi's muddy bottoms and structure provide perfect habitat. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes over 24 inches. Fall is prime time, from September through November, when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawning migration. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – they'll often pick up your bait and just sit there, so knowing when to set the hook is crucial. They're masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand or mud near structure, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. Once hooked, they fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish, and they're absolutely delicious on the table.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're fantastic fighters that test your tackle and skills. Mississippi waters hold good numbers ranging from 2-pound juveniles to massive 30-plus pound bulls. The bigger drums are most common in cooler months and around structure like bridges, reefs, and channels. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so fresh cut crab or shrimp works best. The fight is all about power – they'll use their broad sides and weight to try wearing you down. What makes them special is their size potential; landing a 20-pound drum on light tackle is a memory that lasts forever.
Sheepshead are the technicians of the inshore world, known for their bait-stealing abilities and excellent table fare. These black-and-white striped fish average 12-16 inches but can reach impressive sizes over 20 inches and 5 pounds. They're most active in cooler months, particularly around structure like bridges, docks, and reefs
Get ready to hit the Mississippi waters aboard our 2018 Blazer Bay 2200! This 22-foot bay boat packs serious punch with its 150HP Yamaha engine, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots to get you to the hottest fishing spots fast. Perfect for small groups of up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight those redfish, trout, and flounder. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water. Our wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking fish in shallow waters, while the GPS navigation system ensures we never miss those productive spots. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, so you spend more time with lines wet instead of searching empty water. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing adventure or looking to target some quality inshore species, this bay boat handles Mississippi's coastal waters like a dream. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those back-country areas where the big fish hide, while the stable platform gives everyone confidence when the action heats up.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of Mississippi's inshore waters. These gray-black bruisers typically weigh 5-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure from shallow water to 15 feet deep. Spring is peak season when they school up to spawn - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. Guests love the strong, steady fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare. Here's my go-to trick: use fresh peeler crab on a fish finder rig, and don't set the hook too fast. Let them run with it a bit - their mouths are tough and they need time to really grab hold.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Mississippi marshes and shallow bays. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is prime time, but we catch them year-round in 1-4 feet of water. What makes them special is their powerful runs and that bronze flash when they turn. Plus they're excellent eating when kept in slot. The sight fishing is addictive when you can see their backs in skinny water. My best advice: throw a gold spoon or topwater plug ahead of cruising fish, not right at them. Let it sit until they're close, then work it just fast enough to stay ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are Mississippi's most popular inshore target. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with sandy bottoms. Spring through fall are best, especially early morning and evening when they feed actively in 2-8 feet of water. Guests enjoy their acrobatic jumps and the satisfying trout "thump" when they hit. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. They school up in winter in deeper channels. My top tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastics like the Gulp shrimp. Work it slow over the grass beds, and when you get a bite, don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you're too aggressive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our Mississippi waters with their distinctive black and white stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we've seen 20-pounders. They hang tight to structure - docks, pilings, reefs - feeding on barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. Spring is prime time when they spawn around channel passes and jetties. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves and strong fighters once hooked. The white meat is outstanding eating, though they're tough to clean. My secret: get your bait right against the structure and use a sharp hook with fresh fiddler crab or shrimp. When you feel them pecking, don't wait - set that hook hard and fast or they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of camouflage in our Mississippi bays. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 30 inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms to ambush prey. You'll find them in shallow water around structure and grass beds. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. What makes them special is watching one materialize from what looked like empty bottom - it's like magic. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or bull minnows, and fish slow. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to take the bait before setting the hook hard.
Jackson