Full Day Beginner Fishing Trip in Gautier, MS
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour beginner-friendly inshore fishing adventure in Gautier watersExpert instruction targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder speciesSmall group experience accommodating up to six guests maximum
Look, I get it – stepping into the world of inshore fishing can feel a bit overwhelming when you're just starting out. That's exactly why Captain Forrest Walters designed this 8-hour beginner-friendly fishing adventure in Gautier, Mississippi. You'll spend the day learning the ropes in some of the most productive backwaters and bays along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, targeting three of our most popular species: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. This isn't about throwing you in the deep end – it's about building your confidence while actually catching fish. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll get plenty of personal attention as you master the basics of casting, baiting, and fighting fish in these calm, protected waters.
Captain Forrest knows these Gautier waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for putting beginners on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. You'll start your day launching from one of the local marinas, then head out to the productive grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that make this area such a hotspot for inshore species. The beauty of fishing these backwater systems is that you're protected from rough seas, so you can focus on learning proper techniques instead of fighting seasickness. Throughout the day, you'll rotate between different spots as Captain Forrest reads the tides, water temperature, and fish movement to keep you on the action. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot fish sign, and adjust your approach based on what the fish are telling you.
Don't worry about bringing your own gear – Captain Forrest provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need for a successful day. You'll be fishing with quality spinning gear that's perfect for beginners, typically 7-foot medium-action rods paired with smooth reels that won't give you trouble when you're learning. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics along the bottom for flounder, or casting spoons and topwater lures when the redfish are schooled up and aggressive. The captain will show you proper casting form, how to work different lures, and most importantly, how to set the hook and fight fish without losing them. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish bite and getting hung up on structure, plus how to adjust your retrieve speed based on water conditions and fish behavior.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run anywhere from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional oversized bull red making an appearance. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature and the spectacular fights they put up in shallow water. Spring through fall are prime time for reds, especially when they're schooled up in the grass flats during incoming tides. You'll often see them tailing in skinny water or creating nervous water as they push baitfish around. When a red grabs your bait, you'll know it – they hit hard and make long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and get your heart pumping.
Speckled trout are probably the most reliable fish you'll encounter on this trip, and they're perfect for building confidence as a new angler. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with some trophy specimens pushing 25 inches or more. Specks are structure-oriented fish that love hanging around oyster bars, grass beds, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during the cooler months, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What's great about trout is that they often school up, so once you find them, you can usually catch several before they move on. Their bite is often subtle compared to redfish, so you'll learn to detect those light taps and set the hook at just the right moment.
Southern flounder might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolutely delicious and provide a fun challenge for beginners. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. Most of the flounder you'll catch will be in the 15 to 20-inch range, though Mississippi waters produce some doormat-sized fish that can exceed 25 inches. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run, but you can target them throughout the warmer months. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the hunt – you're essentially dragging baits along the bottom, feeling for structure and waiting for that telltale thump. When a big flounder grabs your bait, they often just feel like dead weight until they realize they're hooked, then they put up a surprisingly strong fight.
This full-day beginner trip with Captain Forrest represents everything that's great about Gautier's inshore fishing scene. You're getting 8 solid hours of instruction and fishing time in some of the most fish-rich waters on the Gulf Coast, all while learning from a captain who genuinely enjoys teaching the sport. By the end of the day, you'll have a solid foundation in basic fishing techniques, a better understanding of how fish behave in different conditions, and hopefully a cooler full of your catch to take home. The combination of protected waters, abundant fish populations, and expert guidance makes this the perfect introduction to saltwater fishing. Don't let another season pass by wondering what you're missing – grab your spot on this top-rated beginner trip and discover why so many anglers fall in love with Mississippi's inshore waters.
Captain Forrest's 29-foot offshore catamaran is your perfect fishing platform for exploring Gautier's productive inshore waters. Built in 2002 and powered by reliable twin 200 HP Yamaha engines, this stable cat handles the Mississippi Gulf Coast's backwaters and bays with ease, reaching up to 40 knots when you need to chase the bite. The spacious deck comfortably accommodates up to 6 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder without tangling lines. The catamaran's shallow draft design lets you access those skinny water hotspots where big reds love to feed, while the twin hull setup keeps things steady when you're fighting fish or learning proper technique. Whether you're working the grass flats or drifting oyster bars, this proven fishing machine delivers the reliability and comfort you want for a full day on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing, running anywhere from 14-inch "rats" up to 30+ pound bulls. Those signature black spots near the tail make them unmistakable. They love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and muddy shorelines. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What hooks people is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fight once hooked. They'll eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials like topwater plugs and soft plastics. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. Here's the key: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then make a quiet approach and accurate cast ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout run 1-5 pounds around here, with their distinctive black spots making them easy to identify. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow bays, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're ambush feeders that love structure - oyster bars, drop-offs, and grass edges are your best bets. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer nights can be fantastic. What makes them special is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics under popping corks work great. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters with delicate, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your bait slow and steady - trout don't like aggressive retrieves like redfish do.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are our flatfish specialists, typically running 15-18 inches and up to 5 pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting for bait to swim by. You'll find them along channel edges, around structure, and in deeper holes during colder months. Fall migration offers the best action as they move toward the Gulf. What's fun about flounder fishing is the detective work - reading bottom structure and feeling that subtle bite. They're also top-notch eating with firm white fillets perfect for frying. The trick is fishing slow with live bait like bull minnows or shrimp on light jig heads. Keep your bait moving just above bottom and give them time to fully commit before setting the hook.
Biloxi