5.0(4 Reviews)Beginner Inshore Fishing in Biloxi Waters
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutBeginnerfriendly trip with all gear and expert guidance includedCaptain Nick provides first mate assistance for up to 4 anglers
Captain Nick Ladner knows these Biloxi waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for putting beginners on fish from the moment you leave the dock. This 4-hour private charter aboard L'il Time Off Fishing Charters is designed for folks who want to learn the ropes without the pressure of a crowded boat. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll get personal attention while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after inshore species. The 6:00 AM departure means you'll beat the heat and the weekend crowd, giving you prime fishing conditions when the fish are most active.
You'll be fishing the productive inshore waters around Biloxi, where grass flats, oyster reefs, and tidal creeks create perfect habitat for redfish, speckled trout, and other popular species. Captain Nick provides all the gear you'll need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you can focus on learning proper casting techniques and reading the water. The first mate stays busy keeping your hooks baited, netting fish, and helping beginners get comfortable with the gear. Don't worry if you've never held a fishing rod before; these guys have a gift for teaching newcomers the fundamentals while keeping things fun and relaxed. The boat isn't a massive party barge, which means you get a more intimate fishing experience where everyone gets quality time at the rail.
Inshore fishing around Biloxi relies on light tackle and finesse techniques that beginners can master quickly. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test line, perfect for the size fish you're targeting. Captain Nick focuses on live bait fishing with shrimp and croaker, as well as artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons when the situation calls for it. The crew will teach you how to work a jig head along the bottom for flounder, how to cast into redfish schools when they're tailing in shallow water, and the proper retrieve for speckled trout around structure. Most of the fishing happens in 3-15 feet of water, so you can actually see the bottom and understand what's happening below. The captain uses his electronics to locate bait schools and fish, then positions the boat so even novice anglers can make successful presentations.
"We had an awesome time!! Captain Nick put us on the fish!!" - Stephine Morris. "The family went down last summer and had one of the best experiences of our life. The crew kept our poles bending from the time we hit the water until we came in. I cannot give these guys enough stars! Thanks for a great time!" - Brian. "Great charter, not a huge boat, so personable experience. Capt Nick is great!" - Ryan N Lexi Grove. "I am a local and have been fishing all of my life on the MS Gulf Coast. I've had my own boats, been on charters, and went with friends! So if your looking for a charter that offers you the opportunity to feel like you are fishing with friends, then look NO further! Call "L'il Time Off Fishing Charters" and you WILL NEVER be disappointed! Captain Nick Ladner and son, Jake Ladner, cater to your every need! And ALWAYS puts you on the BIG fish! (Here's some pics from yesterday's trip!) 6/2/2019" - Bennie.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of an angler's patience and skill, earning their nickname as the "convict fish" thanks to their distinctive black and white stripes. These crafty bottom dwellers hang around oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and other hard structure where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp. What makes sheepshead so challenging – and rewarding – to catch is their ability to steal bait without triggering your rod tip. They have human-like front teeth perfect for crushing shellfish, and they'll gently mouth your bait before committing to a bite. The key is using small hooks, light sinkers, and keeping steady pressure on the line. Once hooked, sheepshead make strong runs toward structure, testing your drag system. They're most active during cooler months from November through March, and a 3-pound fish is considered a nice catch, though 5-pounders swim these waters.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and for good reason – they're aggressive, hard-fighting, and absolutely beautiful fish. Also called red drum, these bronze-colored bruisers can be found in everything from ankle-deep flats to deeper channels around Biloxi. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, making them perfect for beginners. They'll crush live shrimp, gulp down soft plastic baits, and even hit topwater lures in shallow water. The sight of a redfish's copper-colored back and distinctive black spot near the tail cruising through clear water gets every angler's heart pumping. These fish are available year-round, but fall months bring the largest schools as they prepare for their offshore spawning run. A slot-size red (16-27 inches) provides excellent table fare, while the bigger bull reds are catch-and-release only.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat against sandy or muddy bottoms where they're nearly impossible to spot until they move. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in the substrate with only their eyes exposed, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim within striking distance. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite – often feeling like your sinker just got stuck on the bottom – followed by the distinctive head-shaking fight once they realize they're hooked. The technique involves dragging live bait or soft plastics slowly along
You'll spend your morning on the water aboard a spacious 35-foot Fincat, perfectly designed for chasing redfish and speckled trout in Biloxi's productive inshore waters. This fishing machine comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat comes loaded with everything you need – GPS to find the best fishing spots, radar for those foggy mornings, VHF radio for safety, and most importantly, a quality fish finder to locate where the fish are holding. Captain Nick provides all the rods, reels, and tackle, so you can focus on learning the techniques and enjoying the action. The onboard toilet and icebox add comfort to your 4-hour adventure, keeping you comfortable and your catch fresh. Whether you're targeting redfish in the shallows or working deeper water for speckled trout, this well-equipped vessel puts you in prime position to experience some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore fishing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore trips, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds in our shallow waters. They love cruising the grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Fall and spring are prime time when they're schooled up and feeding heavy, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is watching them crush topwater lures in explosive strikes, plus they put up a solid fight on light tackle. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the grill. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials all work. Here's a local secret: look for diving pelicans and working birds. Where there's bait getting pushed up, there's usually reds underneath waiting to ambush.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the smartest fish you'll encounter in these waters. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we've pulled up some bruisers over 8 pounds around the bridge pilings and dock structures. They've got those famous human-like teeth and black stripes that earned them the "convict fish" nickname. You'll find them hugging any structure - docks, bridges, oyster bars - feeding on barnacles and crabs. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around incoming tides when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves who'll steal your shrimp clean off the hook. The payoff is worth it though - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. My tip: use small hooks and keep that bait tight against the pilings. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our area. Most of what we catch runs 15-18 inches, but every now and then someone lands a "doormat" pushing 4-5 pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves in the bottom with just their eyes showing, waiting for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to swim by. Fall is absolutely prime time when they're moving through our passes and channels heading offshore. What makes them fun is the challenge of finding them and that unique thrill of hooking what feels like a wet blanket that suddenly comes alive. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality and perfect for fish tacos. We drift the channels and points using live shrimp on light jigs, keeping the bait right on bottom. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle weight or soft bite, don't set the hook immediately - let them take it and turn before you strike.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an awesome time!! Captain Nick put us on the fish!!
The family went down last summer and had one of the best experiences of our life. The crew kept our poles bending from the time we...
Great charter, not a huge boat, so personable experience. Capt Nick is great!
I am a local and have been fishing all of my life on the MS Gulf Coast. I’ve had my own boats, been on charters, and went with fri...
Biloxi