Afternoon Mississippi Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour private charter targets six inshore speciesAfternoon departure explores calm Mississippi bays and flatsAll tackle options provided for two-angler capacity
There's something special about Mississippi's inshore waters in the afternoon. The morning rush is over, the water's settled, and you've got four solid hours to work the flats and bays where the real fish live. This private charter for two anglers puts you right in the sweet spot – departing at 1:00 p.m. when the fish are active and the conditions are prime. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized species: Redfish, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, and Tripletail. Whether you prefer fly gear, light tackle, or spin tackle, we've got you covered with all the essential equipment included.
Picture this: you're gliding through Mississippi's calm bays and productive flats, with your captain reading the water like a book. These aren't crowded fishing spots – we're talking about those honey holes where local guides have been putting clients on fish for decades. The afternoon timing is no accident either. As the day warms up, baitfish become more active, and predators like redfish and speckled trout start prowling the shallows looking for an easy meal. Your captain knows exactly where to position the boat, whether that's working a grass flat edge, sliding up to an oyster bar, or positioning near structure where sheepshead love to hang out. The beauty of this trip is the variety – you might start sight-casting to cruising reds in skinny water, then move to deeper pockets to work on some chunky black drum. It's relaxed fishing at its finest, but don't mistake relaxed for easy. These fish will test your skills, and that's exactly what makes it fun.
Mississippi inshore fishing is all about versatility, and that's reflected in the tackle options available on this charter. Fly fishing enthusiasts will love working the flats with 8-weight setups, throwing shrimp patterns and small streamers to tailing redfish or cruising trout. If you're more comfortable with conventional gear, light tackle spinning setups loaded with live shrimp, soft plastics, or topwater plugs will get the job done. The key is matching your presentation to the conditions and the fish's mood. Early in the trip, your captain might have you working topwater baits over grass beds where speckled trout are busting bait. As the afternoon progresses, you could switch to bottom fishing with cut bait around structure for black drum and sheepshead. The shallow draft boat allows access to areas that bigger vessels can't reach, putting you on fish that haven't seen much pressure. Your captain will adjust tactics throughout the trip based on what's working, tide movement, and where the fish are showing up.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice their size. Spring through fall offers the best action, with reds prowling shallow flats during higher tides and staging around deeper structure when water levels drop. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut bait, soft plastics, or flies. You'll often see them tailing in skinny water, backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp. That sight-fishing opportunity is pure gold for any angler.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to massive 40-pound bulls. They're most active during cooler months, typically fall through early spring, when they move into shallow bays to feed on oysters, crabs, and worms. These fish are all about structure – oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and rocky bottom areas are prime spots. Black drum require patience since they're bottom feeders, but once you hook one, you'll understand why guides get excited about them. They use their broad tails and stocky build to dig hard, making long, powerful runs that'll test your drag system.
Speckled Trout and Sea Trout are the bread-and-butter species that keep action consistent throughout the trip. These spotted beauties are most active during warmer months, from late spring through early fall, though you can catch them year-round in Mississippi waters. They're structure-oriented fish, relating to grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bottom areas. What anglers love about trout is their aggressive nature – they'll absolutely crush a well-presented topwater bait or fly, often jumping clear of the water on the hookset. Most fish run 14-20 inches, perfect for the dinner table, with occasional larger specimens pushing the 24-inch mark.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, earning their nickname "convict fish" from the black stripes running down their silver sides. These structure-loving fish are most abundant around oyster bars, docks, and bridge pilings from late fall through early spring. They're notorious bait stealers with crushing power in their teeth designed for cracking shellfish, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook quickly. Despite their reputation for being difficult, a well-presented shrimp or fiddler crab around the right structure will produce steady action. Sheepshead are excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to bring dinner home.
This afternoon inshore charter represents some of the best value fishing Mississippi has to offer. You're getting four hours of prime time on productive waters, expert guidance from a captain who knows these fish and these waters, and all the gear you need for a successful trip. The two-angler limit means personalized attention and plenty of room to cast without getting in each other's way. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to saltwater fishing, wanting to try fly fishing the fl
Your afternoon fishing adventure starts aboard an 18-foot Hell's Bay Marquesa, the perfect shallow-water fishing machine for Mississippi's diverse inshore waters. This versatile skiff handles both deep channel runs and skinny-water redfish flats with ease, giving you access to prime fishing spots other boats can't reach. The Marquesa comes equipped with GPS navigation to mark productive areas, VHF radio for safety communication, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of speckled trout and cruising redfish. When the water gets really shallow, your captain can pole the boat silently across the flats for sight-fishing opportunities. With comfortable seating for two anglers and plenty of deck space for casting, this boat lets you fish the back-country marshes, oyster bars, and grass flats where Mississippi's best inshore species feed. The shallow draft design means you'll spend more time fishing productive water and less time traveling around deeper areas.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These fish love muddy flats, oyster beds, and shallow bays where they root around crushing crabs and oysters with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the most consistent action. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and those drumming sounds they make underwater. If you're keeping one for dinner, stick with fish under 15 pounds for better table fare. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your bait, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and start moving before you drive it home - they're notorious bait pickers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily identified by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds, perfect for both sport and table. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges, especially on incoming tides. They're year-round residents but fish best in spring and fall. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and bulldog fights, plus they're excellent eating with firm, mild meat. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Here's what works: look for nervous water or tails sticking up, then cast past them and work your bait back into their path. Patience pays off with these fish.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, often called Speckled Trout, are beautiful silvery fish with dark spots covering their torpedo-shaped bodies. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though we occasionally see some thick 6-7 pounders. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and current edges. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are moderate, and they love to feed at dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent eating quality - white, flaky meat with a mild flavor that's hard to beat. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Local tip: on calm mornings, work a topwater plug slowly over the grass beds. When you see those explosive strikes, you'll understand why we love chasing these fish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white striped pattern and human-like teeth. Most run 1-5 pounds, but we see some nice 8-10 pounders around dock pilings, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months when they're more active. What draws folks to target them is their excellent white meat and the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites. You'll find them hugging structure tight, rarely venturing more than a few feet away. They make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's worth the effort to clean. Pro tip: when you feel those subtle pecks, don't wait - set the hook hard and fast. They'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
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