Extended Half Day Fishing In Bay St. Louis
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutLight tackle fishing in shallow Louisiana marsh watersAll gear provided with beginner-friendly guided techniques
Looking for a solid fishing trip that gives you plenty of time on the water without burning the whole day? This 6-hour inshore charter from Bay St. Louis hits that sweet spot perfectly. You'll be working the Louisiana marsh systems where the fish are hungry and the action stays consistent. With just 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention from your captain and plenty of elbow room to fish comfortably. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or just want a relaxing day targeting multiple species, this trip delivers exactly what you're looking for.
Your captain knows these marsh waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish from the moment you leave the dock. The Louisiana marsh connected to Bay St. Louis offers some of the most productive inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast, with endless cuts, channels, and grass flats holding redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, and flounder. You'll spend your time in shallow water where you can actually see the fish you're targeting - there's nothing quite like watching a big red cruise up to your bait. The scenery changes throughout the day as you move between different spots, from open bays to narrow bayous lined with marsh grass. Your departure time gets set based on weather and tides, so make sure to touch base with your captain beforehand. They know when the fish bite best and will schedule accordingly.
This charter focuses on light tackle fishing, which means more fight in every fish and better sensitivity to feel those subtle bites. You'll be using popping corks for the trout and reds - a technique that's deadly effective in these waters. The cork creates just enough noise and movement to grab attention, while your bait sits perfectly in the strike zone below. For sheepshead and flounder, you'll switch to bottom fishing with the right sinker weight to feel the bottom and detect those light taps. All your gear comes included, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except yourself and some snacks. The captain provides rods, reels, tackle, and bait that's proven to work in these specific waters. Light tackle fishing requires a bit more finesse than heavy gear, but your guide will coach you through the techniques until you're feeling confident with every cast.
Redfish are the bread and butter of these Louisiana marshes, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster beds scattered throughout the area. They typically run 18 to 28 inches in these waters, with some real tanks pushing over 30 inches when conditions are right. Reds are aggressive feeders that hit hard and make strong runs, especially in the shallow water where they can't dive deep. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
Speckled trout are the other main target, and they're absolute blast on light tackle. These fish are finicky eaters that require some skill to hook consistently, but once you dial in the technique, they'll keep you busy all day. Most specks in this area run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches. They love the deeper grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. Summer and fall typically produce the best trout fishing, when they're actively feeding in preparation for cooler weather.
Sheepshead might look strange with their human-like teeth, but they're fantastic eating and surprisingly strong fighters. These black and white striped fish hang around any structure they can find - docks, pilings, reefs, and oyster bars. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, so catching them consistently takes some practice. Most sheepshead here run 12 to 18 inches, and they're available pretty much year-round, with peak action in spring and fall.
Summer flounder round out your target list, and they're perfect for anglers who enjoy a different style of fishing. These flatfish lie buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey, so you'll be dragging baits along the bottom to entice strikes. They hit with a distinctive thump and put up a surprising fight for a flatfish. Most flounder in these waters run 14 to 20 inches, and they're some of the best eating fish you'll find in the Gulf.
Six hours on the water gives you real time to learn the techniques, move between multiple spots, and target different species as conditions change throughout the day. This isn't a rushed trip where you feel like you're just getting started when it's time to head back. The small group size means your captain can focus on making sure everyone gets plenty of action and learns something new about inshore fishing. All the gear is provided, the fish are biting, and you'll have stories to tell long after you get back to the dock. A deposit secures your date, so don't wait too long - the best fishing days book up fast around here.
Hit the productive waters around Bay St. Louis aboard this well-equipped 24-foot Sea Hunt center console. Built in 2014 and powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha outboard, this bay boat cuts through the marsh channels at speeds up to 35 knots to get you on the fish fast. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position quietly over redfish and sheepshead without spooking them, while the fish finder pinpoints schools holding in the shallows. GPS keeps you on productive spots, and radar ensures safe navigation when morning fog rolls in. Perfect for targeting speckled trout with popping corks or working the bottom for flounder. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access and plenty of room to land that keeper red. With space for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles the shallow Louisiana marsh waters like it was built for them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter inshore - copper-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls that'll test your drag. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-6 feet of water year-round. What makes them special is their powerful fights and willingness to eat just about anything. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Spring and fall offer peak action when they're schooled up and aggressive. They'll slam topwater lures, soft plastics, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. Here's what works: sight-cast to tailing fish in skinny water with a gold spoon or soft plastic. Keep your approach quiet and lead them by a few feet - they spook easy in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are some of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-18 inches on average with beautiful spotted sides. They love grass flats, drop-offs, and structure in 3-8 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best action, though they bite year-round here. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating - just don't overcook that tender, flaky meat. They're also great fighters for their size, with nice runs and head shakes. Cool mornings and evenings are prime time, especially around moving water. Local secret: work a popping cork with live shrimp over grass beds right at first light. The sound draws them up from deeper water, and you'll often see them blow up on the surface.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. They're usually 1-3 pounds around here, hugging any structure they can find - docks, pilings, rocks, you name it. Spring and fall are your best shots when they're most active. What makes them special is their finicky nature and excellent table fare. That white, flaky meat rivals any fish we catch. They're notorious bait thieves though - they'll nibble your shrimp or fiddler crab right off the hook if you're not paying attention. My tip: use a small hook with fresh bait and keep it tight to the structure. When you feel them pecking, don't wait around - set that hook hard. Their bony mouths require a solid hookset.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - flatfish that lie on the bottom and change color to match their surroundings. You'll find them in 15-30 feet of water around structure, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs. Most run 15-20 inches, but keeper-sized fish make for great eating with their mild, white meat. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're actively feeding before their offshore migration. They're ambush predators, so patience pays off - they'll often mouth the bait before committing. Here's a local trick: use a bucktail jig tipped with live bait and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, resist the urge to set immediately. Give them a second to fully take it, then lift firm and steady.
Bay St. Louis