Half Day Family Fishing in Mississippi Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour private charter targets redfish, trout, and tripletailFamilyfriendly inshore fishing accommodates up to four guestsCaptain provides all equipment and selects calm fishing spots
Captain Hal Lusk knows how to turn a regular morning into something your family will talk about for years. His 5-hour Mississippi inshore fishing trips with Jus 1 More Charters deliver exactly what you're looking for – quality time on the water without the stress of planning every detail yourself. With space for up to 4 anglers, this private charter focuses on keeping everyone comfortable while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most reliable species. Whether you've got kids who've never held a fishing rod or teenagers who think they know it all, Hal's got the patience and know-how to make sure everyone gets their shots at redfish, speckled trout, and the always-exciting tripletail.
Your day starts with Captain Hal picking the spots based on current conditions – tides, weather, and where the fish have been biting. He's not about taking chances with rough water when families are aboard, so expect calm, protected areas where everyone can focus on fishing instead of holding onto the boat. The captain provides all your rods, reels, and bait, which means less gear to worry about and more time actually fishing. You'll be working relatively shallow water where these inshore species love to hang out – around grass flats, oyster bars, and structure where baitfish gather. The boat stays positioned so everyone has room to cast without tangling lines, and Hal keeps things moving if the action slows down. This isn't about sitting in one spot all day hoping something happens.
Mississippi's inshore waters call for specific approaches that Captain Hal has dialed in over years of guiding these same areas. You'll be using live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are responding to that day – sometimes it's live shrimp under popping corks, other times it's soft plastics worked along the bottom structure. The captain handles boat positioning and reads the water so you can focus on your technique. Expect to learn proper casting to structure, how to work different lures, and when to set the hook on these species. Redfish often require a different approach than trout, and tripletail fishing is its own game entirely. Hal explains what you're doing and why, so even beginners start understanding how to read the signs and improve their success rate throughout the trip.
Tripletail fishing around Mississippi offers something most inshore anglers rarely experience elsewhere. These unique fish hang around floating debris, channel markers, and crab traps, often lying on their sides at the surface like they're sleeping. They're ambush predators that can reach 10-15 pounds, and when hooked, they put up a fight that surprises most people. The best action typically runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb and baitfish are active. What makes tripletail so exciting is the sight fishing aspect – you can actually see them before you cast, which adds a whole different level of anticipation to each presentation.
Speckled trout remain the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing for good reason. These fish are aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for mixed-experience groups. They typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with occasional fish pushing over 5 pounds. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce excellent catches. Trout are schooling fish, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps make them a favorite among kids and adults alike.
Redfish bring the power game to Mississippi's inshore waters. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to bull reds exceeding 30 inches and 20 pounds. They're year-round residents that feed aggressively in shallow water, often creating explosive strikes that get everyone's attention. Redfish are notorious for their initial runs and bulldogging fights that test your drag system. They're also one of the most reliable species in these waters – even on tough days when other fish are finicky, reds often save the trip with their willingness to eat.
Captain Hal's family-friendly approach combined with his knowledge of Mississippi's most productive inshore waters makes this trip a solid choice for creating those fishing memories that stick. The 5-hour timeframe gives everyone plenty of opportunities without wearing out the younger anglers, and the private charter format means you're not dealing with other people's kids or competing for the captain's attention. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before committing. With only 4 spots available per trip, Hal can give each angler the attention they need to improve their skills and maximize their success. Book your Mississippi inshore fishing adventure with Jus 1 More Charters and see why families keep coming back to fish with Captain Hal.
Captain Hal's 22-foot Triton Seaflight is built for Mississippi's inshore waters, where redfish and speckled trout like to hide. The Yamaha 250HP gets you to the fishing grounds fast, hitting 34 knots when needed, then the wireless trolling motor takes over for silent stalking through shallow flats. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. The fish finder shows what's swimming below while GPS keeps track of those honey holes you'll want to hit again. Radar helps when morning fog rolls in off the Gulf. This center console setup gives everyone easy access to the action, whether you're working the grass beds for trout or sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect family-friendly target here in Mississippi waters. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marshy areas in 1-4 feet of water. You can literally see their backs sticking out sometimes. They're year-round fish but really turn on during spring and fall when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning season. What guests love most is watching them crush topwater lures in skinny water - pure excitement. Plus they're great eating with mild, sweet meat. Those distinctive black spots near their tail aren't just for show - they confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. Pro tip: when you see one tailing in the shallows, cast your bait about 3 feet ahead of where they're headed and let them find it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Mississippi's bread-and-butter inshore fish, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These silvery beauties with black spots love grass flats, shallow bays, and oyster reefs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels, but you can catch them year-round. What makes them popular with families is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, so matching that with your lure choice pays off. My go-to trick is fishing topwater plugs early morning over grass beds when the water's calm - the strikes are aggressive and kids love the surface action you get from these scrappy fighters.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of Mississippi's most unique catches - they get their name from having three fins that look identical at the back end. These fish average 2-13 pounds but can hit 40+ pounds, making them serious fighters despite their chunky build. You'll find them floating near the surface around weed lines and debris, often lying on their sides to mimic floating objects. They're masters of camouflage, changing from mottled colors to solid black or white. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight and table fare that rivals red snapper. My tip: when you spot one, cast well past it and slowly work your bait toward them - they spook easily but will ambush if you're patient.
Mississippi