6-Hour Barrier Islands Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure through Mississippi Barrier IslandsTarget redfish, trout, black drum aboard 23foot Lightning MarinePrivate charter accommodates four guests with gear and licenses included
Six hours on the water with Captain Elijah Troutman means serious fishing time in some of Mississippi's most productive inshore waters. This extended half-day trip out of Pass Christian Harbor gives you the chance to really dial in on the fish and explore multiple spots around the Barrier Islands. With up to 4 anglers on his 23-foot Lightning Marine, you'll have plenty of room to work the waters where redfish, trout, and drum call home. The captain handles your fishing license, brings all the tackle, and stocks fresh live bait – you just show up ready to fish.
Captain Troutman knows these Mississippi Sound waters like the back of his hand, and six hours gives him time to put you on fish in multiple locations. You'll launch from Pass Christian Harbor and head toward the productive waters around the Barrier Islands, where grass flats, oyster reefs, and deeper channels create perfect habitat for inshore species. The extended trip means no rushing – if the bite is hot in one spot, you can stay and work it. If fish are scattered, you've got time to hunt them down. The 23-foot Lightning Marine handles these waters beautifully, offering a stable platform for sight fishing the flats or working deeper structure. Expect to move between different types of water throughout the day, from shallow grass beds where redfish cruise to deeper channels where trout and drum hang out.
This trip focuses on live bait fishing with quality spinning tackle that matches perfectly with the inshore species you're targeting. Captain Troutman provides everything you need – rods, reels, terminal tackle, and most importantly, fresh live bait. Shrimp, croaker, and other live baits are incredibly effective in these waters, especially when worked around structure or drifted over grass beds. The captain will show you how to present baits naturally, whether you're sight casting to tailing redfish or working the bottom for black drum. Light tackle makes every fish feel bigger and more exciting, plus it's perfect for the variety of species you'll encounter. Don't worry about experience level – the captain adjusts techniques to match your skills and keeps everyone in the action.
Redfish are the stars of these waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and oyster bars around the Barrier Islands, often feeding in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-sized keepers to oversized bulls that'll test your drag. Redfish fight hard and dirty, using their broad tails to make powerful runs toward structure. What makes them special here is the sight fishing opportunities – watching a big red cruise the flats and timing your cast perfectly never gets old.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Mississippi inshore fishing, and these waters consistently produce quality fish. They're most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round in the right conditions. Trout love grass beds and drop-offs, often feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. They're excellent table fare and put up a respectable fight on light tackle. The key with trout is finding water with good current and structure – Captain Troutman knows exactly where these conditions line up.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks when it comes to fighting power. These bottom dwellers can reach impressive sizes in Mississippi waters, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon. They're most active during spring spawning runs but can be targeted throughout the warmer months. Black drum use their powerful shoulders and stubborn nature to wage war from the bottom, making long, steady pulls that'll wear you out. They're often found around oyster reefs and structure where they feed on crabs and shellfish.
Crevalle jack bring serious muscle to the mix – these silver bullets are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. They travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Jacks are incredibly strong for their size and make blazing runs that'll have your reel screaming. They're most common during warmer months and provide some of the most exciting light tackle action you'll find inshore. While they're not great eating, they're catch-and-release champions that'll leave your arms aching.
African pompano are the wildcards of this fishery – when you hook one, you know it immediately. These deep-bodied fighters are less common than other species but make up for it with incredible strength and acrobatic ability. They're most active during warmer months and often show up when you least expect them. Pompano have a unique fighting style, using their flat sides to leverage against the current. They're excellent table fare and considered a real prize catch among inshore anglers.
Six hours with Secret Coast Fishing Charters gives you the full inshore experience without committing to a full day trip. Captain Elijah Troutman's local knowledge, quality equipment, and passion for putting clients on fish make this a top-rated choice for Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing. The extended time on the water means better chances at multiple species and the flexibility to adapt to conditions. Whether you're a family looking for a fun day out, experienced anglers wanting to learn new waters, or anyone in between, this trip delivers solid fishing action in some of the most productive inshore waters on the Gulf Coast. Book now and get ready to experience why these Barrier Island waters keep anglers coming back season after season.
The Lightning is your ticket to prime redfish and trout waters around Mississippi's barrier islands. This 23-footer cuts through Gulf Coast chop with ease thanks to her reliable 250 HP Yamaha, getting you to the fishing grounds fast and keeping you comfortable all day. She's built for serious inshore action with a fish finder to mark schools, GPS to hit your favorite spots, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into shallow water without spooking the fish, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Mississippi afternoons. With radar and VHF radio onboard, you're covered whether the weather turns or you need to reach other boats. The multimedia system adds some entertainment between bites. At 23 feet, she's roomy enough for up to 4 anglers to fish comfortably without getting in each other's way, but nimble enough to work the skinny water where big redfish like to feed.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican Pompano are one of our most prized catches - beautiful silvery fish that can grow over 30 inches and 40 pounds. The juveniles are diamond-shaped with long trailing fins, while adults become more rounded. They prefer deeper structure from 30-250 feet, often around oil rigs and artificial reefs where they hunt smaller fish and crustaceans. These fast-swimming jacks put up an amazing fight with long runs and powerful surges. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Spring and summer offer the best shots at these fish when they move closer to shore. They love shiny, moving baits - jigs worked vertically near structure or live bait fished on the bottom both work well. The secret is finding the right depth where they're holding and keeping your bait moving.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90 pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds around the barrier islands, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. You'll hear them before you see them sometimes. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for crabs and shellfish, so fresh soft crab or cut bait on the bottom works best. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you feel that heavy thump and steady pull, don't horse them - let them run and tire themselves out on that first surge.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bullies of our waters - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll give you an arm-burning battle. These brassy-green speedsters typically run 3-5 pounds but can hit 20-plus pounds. Look for diving birds over baitfish schools - that's where you'll find jacks pushing prey to the surface. They roam both shallow flats and deeper structure, always on the hunt. Summer months bring the best action when they're most active. They'll hit just about anything that moves fast - silver spoons, swimbaits, and topwater plugs work great. Not the best table fare, but the fight makes up for it. Here's the trick: cast past the school and retrieve fast - these fish love the chase and won't hesitate to slam a rapidly moving bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-30 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges looking for crabs and shrimp. You can sight cast to them year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. They fight hard with long runs and head shakes that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The key to success is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish - spook them once and they're gone for good.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most popular targets in the 14-24 inch range. These silvery fish with black spots love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they move up to feed. They hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with aggressive strikes that'll surprise you. Spring through fall is prime time, but they school up in deeper channels during winter. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. They're scrappy fighters that'll make several jumps before coming to the net. Here's a local trick: work your bait slow and steady over the grass beds, and when you get a bite, don't jerk too hard or you'll pull the hook right out of their soft mouths.
undefined, undefined