Half Day Beginner-Friendly Fishing In Bay St. Louis
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing trip near Bay St. LouisTarget redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead around local reef structuresAll gear, bait, cleaning included with kids 12under free
Looking for a laid-back fishing adventure that won't overwhelm first-timers? This 4-hour inshore trip with FINally Fishing Charters hits the sweet spot between learning the ropes and actually catching fish. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the patience to teach newcomers while keeping experienced anglers happy. The Mississippi coast around Bay St. Louis serves up some serious action with redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, and flounder all within easy reach. Plus, kids 12 and under fish for free – making this a no-brainer for families wanting to create some fishing memories without breaking the bank.
Your morning starts at the dock in Bay St. Louis, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on the day's game plan. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that you don't need to burn an hour getting to the fishing grounds – the good stuff starts practically right off the dock. Your captain targets reef structures and grass flats where fish love to hang out, and on those picture-perfect calm days, you might even make a run to the barrier islands for some variety. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice, and water. No need to stress about forgetting something or buying gear you'll use once. The captain handles fish cleaning and bagging too, so you're walking away with dinner ready for the pan. Weather can be tricky along the coast, so definitely touch base with your captain the day before to confirm dock times – flexibility goes a long way in fishing.
This isn't rocket science, which is exactly why beginners love it. You'll be working with light tackle that's forgiving but still gives you that fight when a decent fish grabs on. The captain switches up techniques based on what's biting – could be bouncing live shrimp near oyster reefs for sheepshead, drifting grass flats with soft plastics for speckled trout, or sight-casting to redfish cruising the shallows. The water around Bay St. Louis offers incredible diversity in just a few miles. Reef structures hold sheepshead and smaller snappers, while the grass beds are redfish and trout highways. Deeper channels and drop-offs produce flounder, especially when the tide's moving. Your captain reads the water, tide, and conditions to put you on fish. The best part? He's explaining what he's doing and why, so you're learning while you're catching. By the end of four hours, most first-timers have a solid grasp of basic inshore tactics and enough confidence to start planning their next trip.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and Bay St. Louis delivers them consistently. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They cruise shallow flats, especially during cooler months, and you'll spot their backs and tails when they're feeding. What makes reds special is their year-round availability and willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. They're also excellent table fare and the perfect fish for beginners because they don't require finesse – they grab your bait and run.
Speckled trout might be the most popular target species along the Gulf Coast, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with distinctive black spots hit hard and taste even better. They school up around grass beds and structure, particularly during spring and fall. Specks are moody – they can be aggressive one day and picky the next – which keeps things interesting. Most run 14-18 inches, with occasional bigger fish pushing 20-plus. They're perfect for learning proper drag settings because they jump and make runs when hooked.
Sheepshead are the challenge fish that keep experienced anglers coming back. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and steal bait like pros. They hang tight to reefs, pilings, and structure, requiring precise presentations with live or fresh dead shrimp. Fighting a sheepshead is less about the run and more about the headshakes and their ability to wrap you around structure. They're excellent eating and available year-round, with peak action during cooler months when they school up for spawning.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish can be tricky to target but incredibly rewarding when you dial them in. They love channel edges, drop-offs, and areas where current brings food. Most flounder run 14-18 inches, and the bigger ones – called "doormat" flounder – are true trophies. They're ambush predators, so patience pays off. The bite often feels like a gentle tap or your sinker getting stuck, then suddenly you've got a fish on. Excellent table fare and a fun challenge for anglers wanting to try something different.
This half-day trip delivers exactly what it promises – a relaxed introduction to Gulf Coast inshore fishing that produces fish and builds confidence. The combination of multiple target species, all gear included, and a captain who actually enjoys teaching makes this a standout choice for families and beginners. The 2-person capacity keeps things intimate and ensures plenty of personal attention. With kids fishing free and fish cleaning included, the value is hard to beat. Don't wait until you're already planning your Bay St. Louis trip – these spots fill up, especially during prime fishing months. A small deposit locks in your date, and you'll be counting down the days until you're casting lines in some of Mississippi's best inshore waters. Book now and get ready to see why so many people fall in love with fishing the Mississippi coast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, typically running 20-30 inches with those trademark copper backs and black spots near the tail. These bruisers love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and structure. You'll spot them tailing in 1-4 feet of water, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What guests love is the explosive topwater strikes and bulldog fights that'll test your drag system. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The cool thing about reds is they'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, topwater plugs, soft plastics, or flies. Year-round fishing is good, but cooler months bring the best action. Local tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during incoming tides. When you see them feeding, get your bait in front of them quietly - they spook easy in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they move up to feed. You'll find them around structure and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are peak seasons, but they school up deep in winter. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on both live bait and artificials - they're not shy about hitting topwater plugs or soft plastics. The fight is solid for their size, and they're outstanding table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. My go-to tip: work grass flats during moving tides, especially early morning or late evening. A popping cork with live shrimp underneath is hard to beat when they're finicky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the smartest fish in these waters, earning their "convict fish" nickname from those black and gray stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but the big ones can hit 20 pounds if you're lucky. They hang tight around any structure - docks, bridge pilings, reefs - feeding on barnacles and crabs with those human-like teeth. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up heavy. What guests love most is the challenge - these are notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you knowing. But land one and you've got some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: once you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard and fast. They've got powerful jaws, so don't give them time to think about it or they'll steal your bait and disappear.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of the most unique catches you'll encounter in our local waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and about 5 pounds, though we've seen some real door-mats over 20 pounds. What makes them special is how they ambush prey from the sandy bottom - both eyes on one side of their head and they change color to match the sea floor perfectly. You'll find them in shallow bays, around muddy bottoms, and near structure where they wait for baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge since they're sneaky biters and fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish. They're also excellent eating with sweet, white meat. My local tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to fully take the bait.
Bay St. Louis