Mississippi Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day private charter targeting six inshore speciesEight hours of guided fishing with all gear providedLight tackle and fly fishing in Mississippi waters
Get ready for a full day chasing some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after inshore species along Mississippi's productive waters. This 8-hour private charter starts at 8:00 a.m. and gives you and your fishing partner plenty of time to work multiple spots, from shallow grass flats to structure-rich drop-offs where the big ones hang out. Whether you're dialing in your fly casting technique or prefer the reliability of light tackle, Captain Richard Schmidt will put you on fish and help you make the most of every bite. With all gear provided and a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, you can focus on what matters most – landing quality fish and having a blast doing it.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation. You're getting a private charter designed for just two anglers, which means personalized attention and the flexibility to fish how you want. Captain Schmidt starts the day by reading conditions and picking the spots that are producing. Some days that means working shallow flats for tailing redfish, other days you'll be sight-casting to cruising drum in deeper water. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to adapt – if the bite slows in one area, you're moving to the next hotspot without feeling rushed. The Mississippi coast offers incredible diversity, from barrier island backwaters to nearshore structure, and you'll fish the areas that give you the best shot at filling the cooler. Expect to cover water, learn new techniques, and get dialed in on reading fish behavior in different environments.
Captain Schmidt comes prepared with top-quality fly rods, light tackle spinning setups, and everything in between. If you're new to fly fishing inshore species, this is a perfect opportunity to learn from someone who's mastered the technique. He'll show you how to present flies to spooky redfish in skinny water and help you nail the timing on strip sets. For those who prefer conventional tackle, you'll be rigged with medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for working soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live bait when the situation calls for it. The captain reads conditions constantly – wind direction, tide movement, water clarity – and adjusts tactics accordingly. You might start the morning sight-fishing with artificials, switch to live bait during the midday lull, then finish strong with topwater action as the sun drops. Every technique has its place, and you'll learn when and why to use each approach.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice their size. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish moving into shallow water to feed on crabs and baitfish. What makes reds so addictive is their aggressive nature – when you find a school, you can often pick off multiple fish before they wise up. They're also incredibly photogenic, with that distinctive black spot and bronze coloration that looks amazing in photos.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your drag system like few other inshore species. These bottom-feeders can push 40+ inches and have the muscle to match. They're particularly active during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels and around structure. The bite is subtle – more of a pressure than a hard strike – but once you set the hook, you're in for a long, grinding fight. Drum are smart fish that use their broad profile and powerful tail to stay deep, making every fish earned.
Speckled Trout are the technical catch of the bunch, requiring finesse and precise presentations. These beautiful fish love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the best action often coming on popping corks worked over submerged vegetation. Specks have soft mouths, so light drag and smooth hooksets are essential. A good speckled trout bite can produce quick limits, but they're moody fish that demand patience and skill.
Sea Trout round out the trout family and provide consistent action throughout the warmer months. They're often mixed in with specks but tend to prefer slightly different structure – think sandy bottoms adjacent to grass beds. These fish are perfect for anglers looking to stay busy between shots at larger species. They hit a variety of baits and lures, making them ideal for experimenting with new techniques.
Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge for technical anglers. These black-and-white striped fish have small mouths, incredible eyesight, and a reputation for stealing bait. But when you hook a quality sheepshead around pilings or rock structure, you'll understand why they have such a devoted following. They're incredibly strong for their size and absolutely delicious on the table. Peak season is late fall through early spring when they move inshore to spawn.
Tripletail are the wild card species that can make any trip memorable. These odd-looking fish float on their sides near surface debris, looking like floating logs until you get close enough to make a cast. They're ambush predators with lightning-fast reflexes and an incredible ability to jump when hooked. Finding tripletail requires patience and good eyesight, but landing one is always a highlight. They're most common during summer months around floating grass lines and debris fields.
Mississippi's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and this private charter gives you the best possible shot at experiencing it firsthand. With Captain Schmidt's local knowledge, quality gear, and a full day on the water, you're set up for success whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting serious about inshore fishing. The variety of species keeps things interesting, the scenery is fantastic, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of landing quality fish in their natural habitat. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before
The 18' Hell's Bay Marquesa is your ticket to Mississippi's best inshore fishing spots. This versatile skiff handles deep water crossings with ease, then slides onto skinny redfish flats where bigger boats can't go. Built for serious anglers, she's rigged with GPS navigation to mark productive spots, VHF radio for safety communication, and a fish finder to locate schools of speckled trout and drum. The shallow draft design lets your captain pole you into those back-country areas where trophy redfish cruise the grass beds. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working structure for sheepshead, this boat puts you exactly where the fish are. Perfect for two anglers who want to cover water and fish multiple techniques throughout the day.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Mississippi's inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90 pounds. These gray-black fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to locate. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab on the bottom and fish tight to structure - these guys rarely venture far from cover to feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing, with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of bull reds over 30 inches in deeper water. They cruise shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with their backs out of water, feeding around oyster bars and grass beds. Year-round fishing stays consistent, but fall brings the best action. They fight like freight trains and smaller ones are outstanding table fare with firm, sweet meat. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish - when you spot one, cast past it and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as most folks call them, are beautiful silvery fish with black spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they move up to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather from fall through spring brings the best fishing as they school up in deeper channels during winter. They're scrappy fighters on light tackle and have tender, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: work topwater plugs over grass beds at dawn and dusk, but don't horse them - that soft mouth tears easily.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we see some 20-pounders around dock pilings, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're notorious bait thieves that'll nibble your hook clean, so you need to stay alert and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale tap. Early spring brings the best action when they move to spawn. The white, flaky meat rivals any table fish we target. My advice: get your bait right against the pilings and keep it pinned on tight - they'll test your patience but reward it with great eating.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - oddly-shaped fish that look like floating debris until they move. They average 2-13 pounds with a bulky, laterally compressed body and three fins that give them their name. You'll find them suspended near the surface around weed lines, channel markers, and floating structure from spring through fall. They're surprisingly acrobatic fighters for their chunky build and the meat rivals red snapper for quality. Summer months from July through August are peak season. Be stealthy when you spot one - cast well past them and slowly work your bait into their strike zone since they spook easily.
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