Island Trips in the Gulf of Mexico
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing trips in Gulf of Mexico watersAll fishing gear provided by Island Time ChartersSmall group trips accommodate up to four guests
The Gulf Coast delivers some of the most productive inshore fishing waters you'll find anywhere, and Island Time Charters knows exactly where the fish are hiding. These island trips target the shallow flats, grass beds, and structure-rich zones where trophy fish cruise year-round. With only four anglers max per trip, you get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home with stories or coming home with dinner. The gear's covered, so just pack your cooler with snacks and drinks, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready to put some serious bends in your rod.
Your day starts early, meeting the crew as the sun paints the Gulf in those perfect morning colors that every angler lives for. Island Time Charters runs a tight ship - literally - with all tackle, rods, reels, and terminal gear ready to go. You'll cruise out to productive zones around the barrier islands where grass flats meet deeper channels, creating the perfect ambush points for hungry predators. The boat stays mobile, working different structures and depths based on tides, weather, and where the fish are feeding. Expect to cover water efficiently, switching between live bait presentations and artificial lures depending on what's working. The crew reads the water like a book, positioning you over oyster bars one minute and working the edges of shipping channels the next.
Inshore Gulf fishing means versatility is king, and the crew comes prepared for whatever the fish throw at you. Live bait fishing with croaker, shrimp, and pilchards produces consistent action, especially when worked around structure or suspended under popping corks. Artificial presentations shine too - soft plastics bounced along the bottom, topwater plugs worked over shallow grass, and diving plugs trolled along channel edges. The tackle setup runs medium to medium-heavy spinning gear spooled with braided line for sensitivity and hook-setting power in deeper water. Leaders get swapped out based on target species - lighter fluorocarbon for spooky trout, heavier wire when kings and cobia show up. Circle hooks dominate the live bait game for better fish care and higher hookup ratios, while treble-equipped lures handle the artificial bite. The crew adjusts techniques throughout the day, reading fish behavior and water conditions to keep rods bent.
King Mackerel rule the deeper waters and channel edges, especially during their peak runs from April through October. These silver bullets average 15-30 pounds but can push 40-plus when conditions align. They respond best to fast-trolled live bait or diving plugs worked at 4-8 knots along temperature breaks and current edges. The fight is pure adrenaline - screaming runs that test your drag and aerial displays that'll have you whooping. Kings travel in schools, so when you find one, you've often found many.
Sea Trout patrol the grass flats and shallow structure year-round, making them the bread-and-butter species for consistent action. These spotted beauties average 2-4 pounds with occasional 6-8 pound "gator trout" that become legendary. They're suckers for live shrimp under popping corks or soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. The bite can be subtle - just a slight tick - but the fight in shallow water feels much bigger than their size suggests.
Cobia show up during their spring and fall migrations, cruising around buoys, pilings, and floating debris. These brown sharks average 20-40 pounds and fight like freight trains, making powerful runs toward any structure they can find. Sight fishing for cobia ranks among the most exciting inshore fishing experiences - watching these bronze torpedoes cruise the surface before presenting a perfect cast.
Tripletail hang around floating structure and channel markers, looking like floating leaves until they strike. These oddly-shaped fighters average 3-8 pounds but punch well above their weight class. They're ambush predators that respond to live shrimp or small crabs worked slowly near their hideouts. The name comes from their dorsal and anal fins extending back, creating the illusion of three tails.
Southern Flounder lie in wait along channel edges and sandy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged until unsuspecting baitfish swim within range. These flatfish average 2-5 pounds with doormat-sized specimens pushing 8-10 pounds. They prefer live mud minnows or finger mullet dragged slowly along the bottom. The bite feels like snagging bottom until the "bottom" starts swimming away.
The Gulf Coast's year-round fishing season means there's never a bad time to get on the water, but prime windows deliver the hottest action. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest variety of species, while summer heat concentrates fish around deeper structure and moving water. Winter months often produce the biggest trout and flounder of the year. With only four spots per trip, these top-rated charters fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Island Time Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish while providing the kind of personalized service that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Don't let another weekend slip by watching fishing shows - grab your crew and book a trip that'll have you talking fish stories for years to come.
The "Island Time" is your ticket to productive Gulf Coast fishing adventures. This well-equipped 23-foot Wellcraft center console runs on a reliable 250hp Suzuki four-stroke that'll get you to the hotspots quickly and quietly. The spacious layout gives all four anglers plenty of room to work the water without tangling lines. With a quality fish finder onboard, you'll locate structure and baitfish like a pro, while the onboard head means longer days on the water without cutting trips short. Captain provides all the tackle and gear you need to target whatever's biting in these productive inshore waters. Just pack your cooler with snacks and drinks, don't forget the sunscreen, and get ready to put some quality fish in the box. Whether you're after redfish cruising the grass flats or speckled trout working the drop-offs, this boat puts you right where you need to be.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of the Gulf – thick, powerful, and determined fighters averaging 20-50 pounds. These brown, shark-lookalikes cruise alone around structure like wrecks, buoys, and oil rigs from surface down to 100 feet. Peak season runs spring through early fall, especially during their spawning migration when we sight-fish them near the surface. What makes cobia special is their raw power and excellent table fare – firm white meat that rivals grouper. They're also curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat. Here's what works: when you spot one cruising, cast a bucktail jig well ahead of them and work it slowly past their nose. Don't cast directly at them – they spook easy, but properly presented, they'll hammer your offering.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are built for speed and they'll show it when hooked. These silver rockets typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've seen 60+ pounders that'll test your arms. They cruise open waters from 40-150 feet, often following bait schools along temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit that 70-80°F sweet spot. What makes kings special is their blistering runs – they'll strip line like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent on the table with firm, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: use a two-hook rig on your live bait. Kings love hitting the tail section first, so that trailing treble hook saves the day when they try to steal your bait without getting hooked.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Gulf Coast fishing, running 14-24 inches and averaging 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties love shallow grass flats and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels, but spring and fall provide consistent action. What guests love about specks is their willingness to bite and their sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and fight hard for their size. Pro tip: fish the grass edges at first light with live shrimp under a popping cork. The sound draws them in, and that's when you'll get those aggressive strikes.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, though doormat-sized ones over 6 pounds make your day. They love shallow bays, river mouths, and coastal flats where they can bury in the bottom. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before moving offshore for winter. What guests enjoy is the steady action and excellent eating – few fish beat fresh flounder on the table. They're also great for kids since the bite is usually obvious. Best technique: drift live bull minnows or shrimp on light jigs along the bottom. Keep your bait moving slowly, and when you feel that thump-thump-thump, give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the Gulf's most unique fish – they look like floating leaves until they ambush your bait. These chunky, mottled brown fish average 3-8 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and channel markers from surface to 30 feet deep. Summer months are prime time when they're spawning and more active near shore. What makes them popular is their surprising acrobatics for such a bulky fish, plus their meat rivals red snapper for taste. They're also perfect for sight fishing, which adds excitement to the hunt. Key tip: when you spot one floating on its side, cast your shrimp or live bait well past it and work it slowly toward the fish. They're easily spooked, so stealth is everything with these guys.
Biloxi, MS