Afternoon Mississippi Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour private charter targets six inshore species afternoon departureFly gear, light tackle, spin tackle options with expert captain guidanceAll essential gear included for two anglers maximum capacity
When the afternoon sun starts painting Mississippi's coastal waters that perfect golden hue, you know it's prime time to get your lines wet. This 4-hour private charter kicks off at 1:00 p.m. and takes you into some of the most productive inshore waters the Gulf Coast has to offer. Captain Richard Schmidt has been working these flats and bays for years, and he knows exactly where the fish like to hang out when the afternoon bite gets going. You'll have your pick of fly gear, light tackle, or spinning setups – whatever feels right for the conditions and your fishing style.
Picture this: you're cruising through calm bays where the water's so clear you can spot tailing redfish from 50 yards out. The afternoon timing is no accident – that's when the fish start getting active again after the midday lull. You'll be working shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster bars where Mississippi's top-rated inshore species love to feed. Captain Schmidt keeps things relaxed but focused, sharing tips on reading the water, spotting fish movement, and adjusting your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's breezy offshore, you'll have comfortable fishing conditions. Don't worry about bringing gear – everything you need is already on board, from rods and reels to tackle and bait.
Mississippi inshore fishing is all about adapting to what you're seeing. Some days the fish want a topwater plug worked slow over grass beds, other times they're crushing soft plastics bounced along the bottom near structure. Captain Schmidt will set you up with the right approach based on tide, weather, and fish behavior. If you're into fly fishing, he'll position the boat for perfect casting angles to cruising redfish or laid-up trout. Light tackle enthusiasts can work everything from suspending twitch baits to weighted jigs, depending on what's working. The beauty of spinning gear is its versatility – you can cover water fast with search baits or slow down and finesse spooky fish in shallow water. Throughout the trip, you'll learn to read subtle signs like bait movement, water color changes, and bird activity that signal where the action's about to happen.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mississippi inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers know how to put up a fight. They cruise the flats year-round, but afternoon fishing often finds them tailing in skinny water or ambushing bait around oyster bars. A good Mississippi red will run 20-30 inches and pull drag like a freight train. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll crush topwater baits, inhale soft plastics, and absolutely demolish a well-presented fly. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class when conditions align.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're customer favorites for their sheer pulling power. These bottom-dwellers can push 30-40 pounds in Mississippi waters, and they fight like they're twice that size. They love crab-scented baits worked near structure, and once you hook up, get ready for a bulldogging battle that'll test your drag system. The afternoon bite often finds them moving into shallower water to feed, making them prime targets for this trip timing.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing, and they're perfect for anglers who love consistent action. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and have a habit of schooling up over grass beds and sand holes. They'll hit everything from live shrimp to artificial lures, and their aggressive strikes make them incredibly fun on light tackle. The afternoon hours often trigger feeding activity as baitfish become more active in the warming water.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but that's exactly why catching them feels so rewarding. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and incredible bait-stealing skills around structure. They're notorious for subtle bites that require perfect timing to set the hook. When you do connect, they're surprisingly strong fighters that use their flat bodies to leverage against current. The challenge of outsmarting sheepshead keeps even experienced anglers coming back for more.
This afternoon charter offers the perfect blend of relaxed fishing and legitimate shot at quality fish. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots without feeling rushed, and the afternoon timing often coincides with some of the best bite windows Mississippi inshore waters have to offer. Captain Schmidt's local knowledge and flexible approach to gear selection means you'll be fishing the most effective methods regardless of conditions. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to inshore fishing or want to target specific species in a low-pressure environment, this trip delivers the goods. The private charter format ensures personalized attention and the ability to focus on what interests you most. Book your afternoon on Mississippi's renowned inshore waters and experience why anglers keep coming back to these productive coastal fisheries.
Your fishing platform for this Mississippi afternoon adventure is an 18' Hell's Bay Marquesa, built to handle whatever the Gulf Coast waters throw at you. This shallow-draft skiff excels at getting you into those productive backwater spots where redfish cruise the flats, while still having the backbone for deeper water runs when the trout are holding offshore. The boat's design lets your captain pole silently across skinny water one minute, then fire up the motor to chase schools of breaking fish the next. Onboard electronics include GPS to mark those honey holes, VHF radio for safety communication, and a fish finder to locate structure where sheepshead and black drum like to hang out. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in two feet of water or working the grass lines for speckled trout, this versatile boat puts you right where Mississippi's inshore species live.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are Mississippi's heavyweights, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. These grey-black bulldogs love our shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, plus the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Mississippi flats - copper-bronze beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, though we see bigger bulls pushing 40+ inches. They cruise super shallow water, sometimes with backs exposed, hunting our grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they're most aggressive, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is watching these fish hunt in skinny water - it's sight fishing at its finest. They fight like freight trains and smaller ones are phenomenal on the table. My best advice: look for nervous water or wakes in shallow spots, then pitch a gold spoon or topwater plug just ahead of their path.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout (or Speckled Trout as we call them) are Mississippi's bread-and-butter fish, perfect for light tackle fun. These silver beauties with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats and shallow bays. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning, evening, and overcast days are money time. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate, white meat. The fight is scrappy but not overwhelming, making them great for all skill levels. Here's my local secret: work a soft plastic shrimp or topwater plug over grass beds during moving water. When you find one, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and grey stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish around. Running 1-8 pounds typically, they hang tight to any structure: dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster bars where they pick barnacles and crabs with those famous human-like teeth. Spring months from February through April are prime time when they gather to spawn. Guests love the challenge since sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast nibbles. The payoff is sweet though - their white, flaky meat rivals any restaurant fish. Pro tip: use live or fresh-dead shrimp on a small hook, get as close to structure as possible, and set that hook hard the second you feel weight.
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