Half Day Advanced Fishing In Bay St. Louis
If you're tired of basic inshore trips and ready to put your skills to the test, this 4-hour advanced charter with FINally Fishing Charters is exactly what you've been looking for. Captain Jennings knows these Bay St. Louis waters like the back of his hand, and he's built this trip specifically for experienced anglers who want to work the productive reef systems and structure that hold the big fish. You'll be targeting prime inshore species like Speckled Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, and White Trout using techniques that separate the weekend warriors from the serious fishermen. When conditions allow, you might even push out to the nearby barrier islands where the fishing gets even better.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical guided fishing trip where the captain does all the work. You're here because you know how to fish, and Captain Jennings respects that. He'll put you on the fish and share his local knowledge, but you'll be working the rods and making the decisions that separate good days from great ones. The boat launches from Bay St. Louis, and you'll spend your time working the reef systems and structure that consistently produce fish. On calm days, the trip often extends to the barrier islands where you'll find cleaner water and less pressure from other boats. Everything's included - tackle, bait, water, ice, fuel, and fish cleaning - so you can focus on what you came here to do. Kids 12 and under fish free, making this a solid choice for families with experienced young anglers.
Techniques and Tackle
Captain Jennings runs a clean, well-equipped boat stocked with quality tackle suited for the species you'll be targeting. You'll be working live and cut bait around structure, using techniques like bottom fishing for Sheepshead around pilings and reefs, sight fishing for Redfish in shallow water, and working soft plastics for Speckled Trout over grass flats. The beauty of fishing these Gulf Coast waters is the variety - one minute you're bouncing a jig head along the bottom for Flounder, the next you're working a topwater plug for aggressive Reds. The captain knows which techniques work best in different conditions and won't hesitate to switch things up if the fish aren't cooperating. Weather plays a big role in where you'll fish, so stay flexible and confirm your dock time with the captain before heading out.
Customer Stories
"I booked a last minute charter for myself and my 3 sons with FINally Fishing Charters and we had an awesome time!!! Captain Jennings is super easy to communicate with and flexible during the booking process and he's incredibly friendly and easy going. My youngest son is 9 and the least experienced of us all, but Captain Jennings worked with him the whole time, patiently showed him what to do, & helped him get some bragging rights by out fishing his older brothers! Captain Jennings was able to overcome some bad weather and rough waters to give us as much time fishing as possible. Despite the obstacles, we still caught and kept 13 trout…I also missed about that many and Captain Jennings made sure to give me a hard time about that! 😂 I would 100% recommend booking with FINally Fishing Charters. 1. Nice, clean boat. 2. Very easy to communicate with. 3. Extremely friendly and easy going. 4. FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. 5. Knowledgeable. 6. Goes the extra mile to create the most enjoyable and fun experience for his customers. My boys and I all had a great experience and I will definitely book another charter with FINally Fishing Charters in the future." - Jonah
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black Drum are one of the most underrated fighters in these waters, and Bay St. Louis has some real giants. These fish love structure and will test your drag system when you hook into a big one. They're most active during cooler months and early morning hours, often found around pilings, reefs, and oyster beds. What makes Black Drum special is their size potential - while you might catch plenty in the 5-10 pound range, there's always a chance at a 20+ pound fish that'll give you a battle you won't forget. They're excellent table fare when kept in the slot, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.
Sheepshead are the pickiest eaters you'll encounter on this trip, but that's exactly why experienced anglers love targeting them. These black and white striped convicts have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they'll steal your bait faster than you can set the hook if you're not paying attention. They're most active around structure during cooler months, particularly around barnacle-covered pilings and reefs. The key to consistent Sheepshead fishing is feeling the subtle bite and setting the hook immediately. Once hooked, they're strong fighters that will try to wrap you around any structure they can find. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with sweet, flaky white meat.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots are aggressive feeders that will hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic lures. They're most active during low light conditions - early morning, late evening, and overcast days. In Bay St. Louis waters, you'll find them over grass flats, around structure, and in deeper holes during hot summer months. What makes Specks special is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare. A good Speckled Trout bite can make your day, and these waters regularly produce fish in the 2-4 pound range with occasional giants pushing 6+ pounds.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and Bay St. Louis waters