Half Day Fishing Adventure in Biloxi Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour beginner-friendly inshore fishing trip with expert guidanceAll gear, tackle, and licenses provided by Heavy Metal ChartersTarget redfish, trout, and drum around scenic Deer Island
Captain Joey Cates has been guiding anglers through Biloxi's productive inshore waters for years, and this extended half-day trip is his specialty for folks who want to learn the ropes without any pressure. You'll spend six solid hours on the water, targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most reliable species while soaking up the laid-back atmosphere that makes fishing around Deer Island so special. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing experience or you're an adult who's always wanted to try but never knew where to start, Joey keeps things simple and fun. All your gear, tackle, and fishing licenses are covered, so you just show up ready to learn.
This trip takes you into Biloxi's calm inshore waters where the fishing is consistent and the scenery is beautiful. You'll be working around Deer Island and the surrounding flats, areas known for holding good numbers of Redfish, Speckled Trout, and other popular inshore species. Captain Joey runs a comfortable boat that handles these protected waters perfectly, and with just three anglers max, everyone gets plenty of personal attention. The pace is relaxed – no rushing from spot to spot or complex techniques that'll leave beginners feeling lost. Instead, you'll learn the fundamentals while actually catching fish, which is exactly how it should be. The trip runs six hours, giving you enough time to really get the hang of things and hopefully land some keeper-sized fish along the way.
Joey keeps the tackle straightforward but effective for these Biloxi waters. You'll be using medium-action spinning rods matched with reels that can handle the fight from a good-sized Redfish or Black Drum. Most of the fishing involves live bait and artificial lures – stuff like shrimp under popping corks, soft plastic baits worked along the bottom, and small spoons that imitate the baitfish these predators love to chase. The captain explains each setup as you go, showing you how to feel for bites, set the hook properly, and fight fish without losing them at the boat. Since these are protected inshore waters, you won't deal with big waves or rough conditions that can make learning difficult. The focus stays on building confidence with your casting, understanding how different baits work, and reading the water to spot likely fishing spots.
Redfish are the bread and butter around Biloxi's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love the grass flats and shallow water around Deer Island, especially during the warmer months. They typically run anywhere from 16 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red that'll really test your drag. What makes them perfect for beginners is their aggressive nature – they'll hit both live bait and artificials, and once hooked, they put up a memorable fight without being impossible to handle. Fall and spring are prime time, but you'll find them year-round in different areas depending on water temperature and bait movements.
Speckled Trout are another customer favorite that call these waters home. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots are incredibly popular with local anglers because they're both fun to catch and excellent on the dinner table. They usually range from 12 to 20 inches, with some bigger females showing up during cooler months. Specks are known for their soft mouths, so Joey teaches proper hook-setting technique to avoid losing fish. They love structure like oyster beds and drop-offs, and they're particularly active during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around.
Black Drum offer a different kind of fight that surprises a lot of first-time anglers. These powerful fish can grow quite large in Biloxi waters, and even the smaller ones will give you a workout. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for the live bait techniques you'll learn on this trip. What's cool about Black Drum is their drumming sound – you can actually hear them underwater when they're schooled up. They're most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look.
Sheepshead are the tricky ones that keep things interesting. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and a reputation for stealing bait, but once you figure out their feeding pattern, they're a blast to target. They hang around structure like pilings, rocks, and oyster bars, picking off crabs and barnacles. The key is using small hooks and being ready for their subtle bites. They're excellent eating and provide a fun challenge that helps beginners develop better feel and timing.
Summer Flounder add variety to the mix with their unique flat-fish appearance and ambush feeding style. These masters of camouflage bury themselves in sandy bottom areas and strike upward at passing baitfish. They're typically more active during warmer months and provide great action on light tackle. What makes them exciting for new anglers is their distinctive strike – there's nothing quite like feeling a flounder grab your bait and make that initial run.
This top-rated beginner trip with Heavy Metal Charters gives you everything needed for a successful day on Biloxi's productive inshore waters. Captain Joey's patient teaching style, combined with six full hours of fishing time, creates the perfect environment for building confidence and catching fish. The small group size means personalized attention, and having all gear and licenses included removes any barriers to getting started. Whether you're planning a family outing, introducing someone to fishing, or finally taking that first step into the sport yourself, this trip delivers the relaxed, educational experience that keeps people coming back. These spots fill up quickly during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your date on the water.
Captain Joey's 22-foot Blazer Bay center console is built for comfortable inshore fishing around Biloxi's waters. This well-equipped boat handles up to 4 anglers and comes loaded with quality rods, reels, and tackle for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and other local favorites. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on shallow-water fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the best spots around Deer Island and the Back Bay. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Perfect for beginners who want to learn proper techniques while exploring Biloxi's productive inshore fishing grounds in a stable, user-friendly boat.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll recognize them by their distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning around March-April. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait works best - keep it right on the bottom near structure. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish typically range from 18-30 inches and put up an amazing fight in shallow water. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water. They feed year-round but really fire up during spring and fall. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, and just about any artificial that resembles their prey. Pro tip: look for "tailing" reds with their backs out of water while feeding - cast ahead of them and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, typically running 14-24 inches with a beautiful spotted pattern. These fish cruise grass flats and shallow bays, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What anglers love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - shrimp, topwater plugs, and soft plastics all work great. The fight is fun and the eating is even better with tender, flaky white meat. During colder months, look for them schooled up in deeper channels. Local tip: work your lures slowly over grass beds and listen for that distinctive "croaking" sound they make when hooked.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth. These 2-8 pound fish hang around any structure - docks, pilings, reefs - feeding on barnacles and crabs. Spring months from February through April bring the best action when they school up to spawn. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook fast when you feel that nibbling. Fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, or barnacles work best. The white, flaky meat is some of the tastiest around. My go-to trick: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and fish different depths until you find where they're suspended.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but you might hook into a hefty 5-pounder that'll give you a solid fight. They're found on sandy flats and around structure from shallow water to about 30 feet deep. Fall months from September through November offer prime fishing when they're actively feeding before their offshore migration. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They hit live minnows, sea worms, and cut bait fished right on bottom. Here's the key: use a circle hook and give them time to fully engulf the bait before setting up.
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