Master Your Cast with Mississippi Fly Lessons
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private one-hour fly casting sessions for up to two studentsMorning lessons cover casting techniques and line control fundamentalsAll gear provided upon request for convenient learning experience
Perfect your fly casting technique with Richard Schmidt's one-hour private lessons right here in Mississippi. Whether you're brand new to the long rod or looking to dial in your accuracy before hitting our coastal waters, these sessions give you the focused instruction you need. Limited to just two students, you'll get personalized attention that covers everything from basic casting mechanics to advanced presentation techniques. Morning sessions start at 9 a.m. when conditions are calm and perfect for concentrated practice. All gear provided if you need it, so you can jump right in and start learning.
Your hour kicks off with the fundamentals – proper grip, stance, and the timing that makes fly casting look effortless. Richard breaks down each movement so you understand why the rod loads and unloads the way it does. You'll practice the basic overhead cast until it feels natural, then move into roll casts for tight spots and sidearm presentations for windy conditions. Line control comes next, teaching you how to mend, strip, and manage your fly line like a pro. The session wraps up with presentation tips that'll help you drop flies exactly where fish are feeding. These aren't just casting drills – everything you learn translates directly to catching more fish when you're out there for real.
Fly casting is all about timing, not muscle. Richard focuses on teaching the pause between back cast and forward cast that lets your line fully extend. You'll learn to feel the rod load as it bends under the line's weight, then release that energy smoothly on the forward stroke. The lessons cover different line weights and how they affect your casting stroke – lighter lines for delicate presentations to spooky redfish, heavier lines for punching through wind to reach schooling trout. Rod selection gets explained too, from fast-action sticks that launch line quickly to slower rods that help with accuracy at close range. All gear can be provided, but if you have your own setup, bring it along so you're practicing with equipment you'll actually fish with.
Black drum are Mississippi's bulldogs, powerful fish that cruise shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp. These copper-colored bruisers can push 30-40 pounds and will test everything you learned about line control. They're most active during spring and fall when water temps are moderate. What makes them exciting is their habit of tailing in super shallow water – you'll see their black tails sticking up as they root around the bottom. Getting a clean presentation to a tailing drum without spooking it is pure fly fishing gold.
Sheepshead are the pickiest eaters you'll encounter, but that's what makes them so rewarding. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and oysters. They hang around structure like pilings, jetties, and oyster bars year-round, with peak action in cooler months. Sheepshead require pinpoint accuracy and a dead-drift presentation – skills your casting lesson will definitely improve. Land one of these 3-5 pound fighters and you've earned serious bragging rights among local anglers.
Sea trout are Mississippi's most cooperative gamefish, making them perfect for putting your new casting skills to work. These spotted beauties patrol grass flats and channel edges, especially during spring and summer. They hit topwater flies early and late in the day, giving you plenty of chances to practice different retrieves. Trout average 2-3 pounds but fight way above their weight class with spectacular jumps. Their willingness to eat makes them ideal confidence builders for newly trained fly casters.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target and exactly why you want your casting dialed in. These bronze-backed bulls cruise shallow water hunting baitfish and crustaceans. Spring through fall offers the best action, with reds often feeding in water so shallow their backs show. A spooked redfish means a blown opportunity, so accurate casting is everything. When you connect, expect blistering runs toward the nearest oyster bar. Reds average 8-12 pounds in Mississippi waters and provide the kind of visual excitement that makes fly fishing addictive.
Don't head out on the water unprepared – solid casting fundamentals make the difference between watching fish swim away and actually catching them. These private lessons give you skills that'll last a lifetime, whether you're targeting our local inshore species or planning trips elsewhere. Morning sessions offer perfect conditions for learning, and the small class size means you get the individual attention needed to really improve. Richard's instruction focuses on real-world applications, so every technique you practice has immediate value on your next fishing trip. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so commit to improving your game and book your casting lesson today.
Your fly casting lessons take place aboard an 18' Hell's Bay Marquesa, a versatile skiff built to handle Mississippi's diverse waters. This shallow-draft boat can pole quietly into skinny redfish flats where you'll practice your presentation, yet it's equally capable of crossing deeper channels to reach prime casting spots. The Marquesa comes equipped with GPS navigation to pinpoint productive waters, VHF radio for safety communication, and a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish that attract your targets. With space for two students, this technical poling skiff provides the perfect platform for honing your fly casting accuracy and line control in real fishing conditions.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Mississippi's inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure 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. These fish are tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. Here's a local trick: when fly fishing for drum, use a 9-weight rod with heavily weighted flies like Merkin crabs. Keep your fly tight to the bottom and strip it slow - drum are deliberate feeders, not speed demons.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of sight fishing here in Mississippi - bronze backs cruising 1-3 feet of water with that telltale black spot near the tail. Most of our fish run 18-27 inches, but bulls over 30 inches show up regularly in fall. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with cooler months bringing larger fish close to shore. What makes them special is watching them hunt in skinny water and that powerful run when hooked. They're great table fare under the slot limit too. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds, cast beyond them and work your bait back into their path. Lead them like you're duck hunting - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Mississippi's most popular inshore target, averaging 14-18 inches with plenty of 2-4 pounders mixed in. They patrol grass flats, drop-offs, and shallow bays year-round, though winter pushes them into deeper channels. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What anglers love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their solid fight for their size. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Best fishing happens early morning or late evening when they move shallow to feed. Local tip: work your lures slower than you think. Trout often follow baits before committing, so let that topwater sit longer between twitches.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we see plenty of 6-8 pounders around Mississippi's docks and bridge pilings. They're year-round residents but peak in late winter through spring when they spawn around structures. What makes them special is those human-like teeth and their reputation as bait thieves. They're phenomenal eating with sweet, white meat that rivals snapper. The key to landing sheepshead is keeping your bait tight to structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Here's what works: get as close to pilings as possible and watch for subtle taps - when they mouth the bait, they're already trying to steal it.
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