Full Day Mississippi Coast Flats Fishing
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Full day sight fishing adventure on Mississippi flatsSolo experience targeting fish in shallow coastal watersExpert fly fishing guidance with Richard Schmidt Fly Fishing
Picture yourself standing on the bow, polarized glasses cutting through the glare as you scan shallow water for tailing redfish and cruising tripletail. This world-class flats fishing adventure puts you right in the heart of Mississippi's most productive inshore waters, where sight fishing becomes an art form and every cast has the potential to connect you with some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species. Captain Richard Schmidt has been working these flats for years, and he knows exactly where to find the fish when conditions are right. You'll spend a full day hunting shallow water targets, from black drum rooting in the grass to sheepshead hanging around structure, all while enjoying the personal attention that comes with a one-on-one guided experience.
This top-rated fishing experience starts before sunrise with a hearty breakfast to fuel your day, then it's straight to the flats where the real action begins. Mississippi's coastal waters offer some of the most consistent sight fishing opportunities on the Gulf, with expansive grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow channels that hold fish year-round. You'll be working water that ranges from knee-deep to just a few feet, perfect for spotting fish before they know you're there. The Mississippi coast's unique geography creates a maze of productive fishing areas, from the barrier islands to the back bays, giving us plenty of options no matter what the weather brings. Captain Schmidt runs a shallow-draft flats boat designed specifically for this type of fishing, allowing access to areas where bigger boats simply can't go. Lunch is provided on the water, so you can maximize your fishing time without worrying about heading back to shore. The combination of pristine habitat and expert local knowledge makes this a customer favorite for both seasoned anglers and newcomers to flats fishing.
Flats fishing is all about stealth, patience, and precision casting. You'll be using light tackle and natural baits, along with carefully selected artificial lures that mimic the shrimp, crabs, and baitfish these species feed on. Captain Schmidt will position the boat using his trolling motor or push pole, keeping noise to a minimum while you scan the water for feeding fish, nervous water, or the telltale signs of fish movement in shallow areas. The key to success is reading the water - learning to spot the subtle differences in color that indicate depth changes, recognizing how fish behave in different conditions, and understanding how tides affect fish movement throughout the day. You'll be making accurate casts to specific targets, whether that's a tailing redfish 60 feet away or a school of black drum working a grass edge. The Mississippi flats offer excellent visibility most days, making it easier to spot fish and track their movements. Captain Schmidt will coach you through the entire process, from boat positioning to presentation techniques, ensuring you have the best chance at success regardless of your experience level.
Black drum are the bulldozers of the flats, often found in schools rooting through grass beds and oyster bars searching for crabs and mollusks. These fish can range from 5-pound "puppy drum" to massive 40-pound giants that will test your tackle and your patience. They're most active during cooler months but can be found year-round in Mississippi waters. What makes black drum so appealing is their willingness to eat and their incredible fighting ability - once hooked, they'll use their broad sides and powerful shoulders to try to reach deeper water. The sight of a big black drum's back breaking the surface as it feeds is something that gets every angler's heart racing.
Sheepshead are the pickiest eaters on the flats, but that's exactly what makes them so rewarding to catch. These convict-striped fish hang around structure like pilings, docks, and rocky areas, using their human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles. They typically run 2-8 pounds but can get much larger, and they're notorious bait stealers with lightning-fast reflexes. Spring and fall offer the best sheepshead action, when they move into shallower water to feed. Successfully hooking a sheepshead requires perfect timing and a sensitive touch - miss the bite by a split second, and you'll be re-rigging your hook.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are aggressive predators that patrol grass flats and sandy potholes looking for shrimp and small fish. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides are excellent on light tackle, jumping and making blistering runs when hooked. They range from schoolie-sized 12-inchers to impressive 5-pound "gator trout" that are the stuff of legends. Fall and winter months typically produce the largest specimens, while summer fishing can be fast and furious with good numbers. Trout are particularly exciting because they'll often blow up on topwater lures in spectacular fashion.
Redfish are the crown jewel of flats fishing, and Mississippi's waters hold some real monsters. These bronze-backed fighters are perfectly designed for shallow water living, with their underslung mouths ideal for rooting out crabs and shrimp from the bottom. Reds range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches to bull reds exceeding 40 inches that will absolutely smoke your drag. They're most active in warmer months but can be caught year-round. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive nature and their tendency to feed in very shallow water, often with their backs and tails visible above the surface. The sight of a big red tailing in inches of water never gets old.
Tripletail are perhaps the most unique species you'll encounter, often found floating near debris, channel markers, or structure where they ambush passing prey. These oddly-shaped fish can grow quite large, with specimens over 20 pounds not uncommon in Mississippi waters. They're primarily warm-weather fish, most abundant from late spring through early fall. Tripletail are prized for both their fighting ability and their excellent table fare. They have a habit of laying on
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of Mississippi's flats - these gray-black fish with crushing jaws typically run 5-30 pounds, though monsters over 50 pounds show up. They love shallow, muddy areas and oyster beds where they crunch through shellfish all day. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. You'll hear that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. Great table fare under 15 pounds, but the big ones get tough and stringy. Best bet is live or cut crab on the bottom - they're suckers for it and other baitfish usually leave crab alone, so you won't get pestered by catfish stealing your bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our sight fishing game here on the Mississippi coast. These copper-colored beauties with the signature black spots near their tails average 18-30 inches and put up serious fights in shallow water. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and muddy shorelines in just 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that explosive topwater bite and how they'll peel drag in skinny water. Great table fare too with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: look for nervous water or tail-slapping, and cast past them to avoid spooking - they're surprisingly wary in clear, shallow conditions.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Mississippi flats. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for the dinner table with that tender, flaky white meat. They cruise grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially at dawn and dusk. Summer and fall are peak seasons when they're most active in the shallows. Trout are scrappy fighters that'll jump and make good runs on light tackle. They love live shrimp, but soft plastics and topwater plugs work great too. Key tip: don't overcook them since the meat is delicate, and during winter they school up in deeper channels if the shallow bite gets tough.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those black and white stripes and human-like teeth that'll give you the creeps. They run 1-8 pounds mostly, but 20-pounders are out there if you're lucky. These guys live right on structure - docks, pilings, any barnacle-covered surface they can find. Spring spawning season from February through April is when they really turn on. They're notorious bait thieves with those strong jaws, so keep your hook sharp and set it hard when you feel that telltale nibble. Excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: get as close to structure as possible and scrape some barnacles off the pilings to create a chum slick.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the most unique fish you'll encounter out here - they look like floating debris until they come alive. These chunky, olive-colored fish average 2-13 pounds but can hit 40. They're summer visitors, peaking July through August when they cruise near the surface around weed lines and floating structure. What gets people hooked is their acrobatic fight - they jump like crazy for such a stocky fish. The meat rivals red snapper, firm and sweet. They're spooky as hell, so sight casting is key. My trick: cast well past them and slowly work your bait back. They'll often lay on their side mimicking debris, so watch for anything that looks slightly off in the water.
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