Full Day Advanced Fishing in Gautier, MS
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAdvanced techniques and strategy for experienced anglers onlyCaptain Forrest guides through Mississippi Gulf Coast backwaters
When you're serious about inshore fishing and ready to put your skills to the test, Captain Forrest Walters has the perfect setup waiting in Gautier. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking eight full hours on some of the Mississippi Gulf Coast's most productive waters, targeting redfish, speckled trout, and southern flounder in their prime habitat. Built specifically for experienced anglers who know the difference between a keeper and a trophy, this full-day adventure takes you deep into the backwater systems and coastal bays where the big fish live. You'll cover serious ground, work multiple spots, and have the time to really dial in on what's working. Captain Forrest knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not just taking you fishing – he's showing you how the pros do it.
This charter is all about maximizing your time and covering water efficiently. You'll start early, hitting the prime feeding windows when fish are most active. Captain Forrest runs a clean, well-equipped boat that can handle up to six anglers, so whether you're bringing your fishing crew or joining other serious anglers, there's plenty of room to work. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is the flexibility – if one area isn't producing, you've got time to move and adapt. We're talking about working everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channel edges where big trout hold. The Mississippi coast has an incredible variety of structure and habitat within a short boat ride, and this extended trip lets you fish it all. You'll be working with quality tackle and fresh bait, but more importantly, you'll be learning advanced techniques and reading water like a local. Captain Forrest doesn't just put you on fish – he explains why they're there and how to find them again on your own.
This isn't about dropping a line and hoping for the best. You'll be working with artificial lures, live bait, and everything in between, depending on what the fish want that day. Captain Forrest specializes in sight fishing for redfish in shallow water – there's nothing quite like watching a 30-inch red cruise up to your bait in two feet of water. For speckled trout, you'll learn how to work soft plastics along drop-offs and structure, reading your electronics to find schools and staying on them. The flounder fishing here is all about patience and presentation – these fish are ambush predators, so you'll be working the edges of channels and around structure where they lay in wait. The extended time on the water means you can really master these techniques instead of just getting a quick introduction. You'll work different tides, different structures, and adapt your approach as conditions change throughout the day. This is hands-on fishing education combined with serious angling time.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 40 inches and beyond. They're year-round residents here, but fall through early winter is when they really turn on, forming massive schools in the bays and along the beaches. What makes reds so special is their fight – they're powerful, stubborn, and will test your drag system. Plus, they're not spooky like some species, so you can often get multiple shots at a school. Captain Forrest knows the marshes and flats where they feed, and he's expert at putting you in position for clean shots at cruising fish.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Gulf Coast fishing, and the Mississippi waters hold some real beauties. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around oyster bars, drop-offs, and grass lines where they can ambush baitfish. The best action typically happens during cooler months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What anglers love about specs is their willingness to hit artificial lures – a well-presented soft plastic or topwater plug can trigger explosive strikes. The trout here average 15-20 inches, but 5-pound-plus fish are definitely in the mix. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to bring dinner home.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're one of the most underrated fighters in the Gulf. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud along channel edges and around structure. They're ambush predators, so fishing for them is all about precision and patience. What makes flounder special is their table quality – they're considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're also surprisingly strong fighters, especially the larger "doormat" fish that can push 5-6 pounds. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes and inlets preparing for their offshore spawn, making them more aggressive and easier to target.
If you're ready to step up your inshore game and fish with someone who knows these waters inside and out, this full-day charter with Captain Forrest is exactly what you're looking for. Eight hours gives you the time to really fish properly – no rushing, no cutting corners, just solid angling in some of the Gulf Coast's best waters. You'll come away with a better understanding of how to fish these species, where to find them, and techniques you can use for years to come. The Mississippi coast is an underrated gem for inshore fishing, and this trip shows you exactly why serious anglers are taking notice. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just want to spend a full day doing what you love, Captain Forrest and the waters around Gautier are ready to deliver. Book your spot now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that reminds you why you picked up a rod in the first place.
Hit the water aboard this solid 29-foot offshore catamaran that's built to handle whatever the Mississippi Gulf Coast throws at you. Twin 200 HP Yamahas push this rig up to 40 knots, getting you to the fish fast and keeping you stable when you're working those backwater honey holes. The cat hull cuts through chop like butter and gives you a steady platform for precision casting at cruising reds and speckled trout. With room for 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up. This boat's been putting anglers on fish since 2002 and knows these waters inside and out. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or dropping lines on structure for big trout, this catamaran delivers the stability and performance serious anglers need for a productive day on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusOur Gulf Coast reds are built like copper-colored bulldogs, averaging 28-33 inches with plenty of fish pushing into trophy territory over 40 inches. They cruise our shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing, hunting around oyster bars and grass beds. Spring and fall offer peak action, but they bite year-round here. What guests love most is the visual fishing - watching that bronze back cruise before making your cast. The fight is pure power, and they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: look for nervous water or bait getting pushed around. When you spot a red, cast past him and work your bait back into his path - they spook easily on direct presentations.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout around here typically run 14-24 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, though we've seen some real slabs pushing bigger numbers. They love our grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall through early spring gives us the most consistent action. What makes them special is that delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're also scrappy fighters that'll test your drag on light tackle. Here's a local trick: when the water's cold, look for them schooled up in deeper channels around 15-20 feet. Use a slow-sinking soft plastic and work it just off the bottom.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese masters of disguise are flat, oval-shaped fish that typically measure 15-18 inches, though doormat-sized ones can hit 30+ inches. They bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms throughout our bays and nearshore waters, ambushing prey from below. Fall migration provides our hottest action as they head offshore to spawn. Anglers enjoy the challenge of locating them and the reward of prime table fare - sweet, white fillets that fry up perfect. Their unique appearance and behavior make each catch memorable. The key technique here is slow-dragging live bull minnows or soft plastics along the bottom with a 1/4-ounce jig head. Keep your bait moving just fast enough to stay clean of the mud.
Biloxi