Nearshore Fishing Trips in the Gulf of Mexico
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore fishing targets Redfish, Black Drum, and Trout speciesCaptain Matt guides guests to prime fishing locationsSmall group experience accommodates up to four guests
Looking for some serious action without burning a full tank of gas getting there? Our nearshore fishing trips with "Go Topless" Fishing Charters hit that sweet spot where the Gulf of Mexico serves up consistent action just minutes from shore. Captain Matt knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the eye for finding those productive spots where redfish, black drum, and trout love to hang out. You'll be fishing structure, grass flats, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round, all while staying close enough to shore that you're not dealing with the big swells of deep water fishing. Pack your own snacks and drinks, and get ready for some bend-the-rod action that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's over.
This is prime inshore territory where the Gulf's brackish waters create perfect conditions for some of the most sought-after gamefish on the coast. You'll be working water depths from 3 to 30 feet, targeting structure like oyster bars, grass beds, and channel edges that attract baitfish and the predators that follow them. Captain Matt runs a maximum of 4 anglers, which means everyone gets plenty of room to work and personal attention when the bite gets hot. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got them. Most of our fishing happens with live bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Don't worry about experience level – Matt's patient with beginners and knows how to put seasoned anglers on fish they'll be talking about for months.
We're talking light to medium tackle fishing that's all about finesse and reading the water. You'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to working soft plastic paddle tails along grass edges and drop-offs. When the redfish are cruising shallow, we'll sight fish with gold spoons and topwater lures that create explosive strikes you can see coming. For black drum around structure, we'll drop down with cut bait and let these bruisers find us. Captain Matt's got the boat positioned with a trolling motor for precise boat control, especially important when we're working those skinny water spots where big reds like to patrol. The Gulf's nearshore waters change with tides, wind, and season, so we adjust techniques throughout the day. Some days it's all about covering water with search baits, other days we're picking apart specific pieces of structure with pinpoint casts.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and the Gulf of Mexico serves up some genuine bulls that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored fighters average 20-35 inches in our nearshore waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish mixed in with some real toad overslots that you'll remember forever. Reds feed aggressively in shallow grass flats and around oyster bars, especially during moving tides. They're ambush predators that crush topwater lures and live bait with authority, making long runs that'll have your arms burning. Fall and spring are peak times, but these fish bite year-round if you know where to look.
Black drum are the heavyweights of nearshore fishing, with fish regularly pushing 30-50 pounds in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love structure like bridge pilings, reefs, and shell beds where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Don't let their reputation as sluggish fighters fool you – a big drum will make powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. They're most active in cooler months, but we find them consistently around structure throughout the year. Blue crab and cut bait are their weakness, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately.
Speckled trout round out the inshore slam, and while they might not have the size of reds and drum, they make up for it with aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These beauties love grass flats and sandy bottoms in 3-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. They're suckers for live shrimp under corks and soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. Trout are temperature sensitive, so they're most active in spring and fall, but we find them year-round by adjusting our depth and location. A good trout bite means multiple fish, and they're excellent table fare if you're looking to take some fillets home.
The Gulf of Mexico's nearshore waters offer consistent fishing action that doesn't require the time commitment or seasickness potential of deep water trips. Captain Matt's local knowledge and dedication to putting his anglers on fish makes this a top-rated choice for anyone wanting to experience what Gulf Coast fishing is all about. Whether you're introducing kids to saltwater fishing, looking to add some variety to your angling adventures, or just want to get out on the water without the full-day commitment, this nearshore trip delivers the goods. The 4-angler capacity keeps things personal and productive, and the variety of species means everyone's got a shot at their target fish. Book your spot and come see why anglers keep coming back to these productive nearshore waters – the fish are here, and Captain Matt knows how to find them.
Jump aboard this reliable 1996 25ft Pro-Line open fisherman with Captain Matt for some serious nearshore action in the Gulf waters. This classic fishing machine comes equipped with GPS navigation and a quality fish finder to help locate those productive spots where Redfish, Black Drum, and Trout like to hang out. The open layout gives all four anglers plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and move around the boat without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Captain Matt knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while sharing local fishing knowledge. The boat handles the nearshore chop well, getting you to the honey holes efficiently so you can spend more time with lines in the water. Pack your favorite snacks and cold drinks for a solid day of fishing - this Pro-Line has been working these waters for years and continues to deliver productive trips for anglers looking to bend some rods.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of the Gulf - these thick-bodied fish run anywhere from 5-30 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 90. They get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning when they school up in shallow waters. Look for them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Best action happens February through May when they're concentrated and easier to target. Guests love the strong, steady fight these fish put up. For eating, keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds - the meat gets tough as they age. Here's a tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. The crabs stay put better than shrimp and drum can't resist them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target - bronze-backed beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. They run 20-35 inches in our waters and love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where you'll see their backs breaking the surface. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up and feed heavy. What makes them so popular is that explosive topwater bite and bulldogging fight in skinny water. Plus they're great eating with mild, sweet meat. They'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, but my go-to is a gold spoon worked slowly over the grass. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds in inches of water, cast well ahead of where they're headed and let your lure settle. Then work it slow - they'll track it down and crush it.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing - these deep-water beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, but can reach 35+ pounds. They live around structure in 30-200 feet, especially wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom. Peak season runs May through October when they're spawning and more active. What makes them special is that hard-fighting spirit - they'll dive straight for cover and test your drag every time. The meat is outstanding too, mild and sweet with firm white flakes that make restaurant-quality meals. Best bait is fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish dropped right to the bottom. Here's the trick: soon as you hook one, get them away from structure fast. They'll wrap you up in a heartbeat if you give them slack. Keep steady pressure and work them up quick.
Biloxi, MS