Half Day Fishing in St. Louis Bay - Gulf Coast
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour guided inshore fishing trip in St. Louis BayTarget redfish, sea trout, and black drum with provided gearPrivate charter accommodates up to four guests comfortably
Captain Elijah Troutman knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and drop-off in St. Louis Bay like the back of his hand. This top-rated half-day charter puts you right in the heart of Mississippi's premier inshore fishing grounds, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up along structure. You'll launch from Pass Christian Harbor and spend four solid hours working the productive waters that connect the Gulf to the bay system. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler looking to bend some rods, this trip delivers consistent action in one of the Gulf Coast's most reliable fisheries.
Your day starts at Pass Christian Harbor, where you'll meet Captain Troutman and step aboard his 23-foot Lightning Marine. This boat is built for the shallow water game – stable enough for comfortable fishing but nimble enough to reach those honey holes tucked back in the marsh. The captain provides all your tackle, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for trout to heavier setups when the big bull reds show up. Live bait is the name of the game here, and Troutman keeps his wells stocked with the good stuff – live shrimp, croakers, and pogies that local fish can't resist. The best part? Your fishing license is covered, so you can focus on what matters: getting lines wet and having a blast. With room for up to four anglers, this charter works perfectly for families, couples, or small groups of friends who want a personalized experience without the crowds.
St. Louis Bay fishing is all about reading the water and adapting to conditions. Captain Troutman runs a variety of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll work live shrimp under popping corks around grass beds and oyster reefs, drift with cut bait for black drum, and throw live croakers at redfish cruising the flats. The water here ranges from two to eight feet deep, with plenty of structure that holds fish year-round. During cooler months, you'll focus on deeper channels and points where trout winter up. Summer brings shallow water action, with redfish tailing in knee-deep water and jack crevalle busting bait on the surface. The captain adjusts leader material and hook sizes based on target species – lighter fluorocarbon for spooky trout, heavier tackle when African pompano are in the mix. This isn't just chuck-and-chance fishing; it's strategic angling that puts the odds in your favor.
Redfish are the backbone of St. Louis Bay fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a fight that'll test your drag system. Look for reds in the 20 to 30-inch range, with plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for the dinner table and the occasional bull red that'll make your arms burn. They're most active during moving tides, and Captain Troutman knows exactly where they'll be feeding based on wind, water temperature, and time of year. Spring and fall offer the most consistent redfish action, but summer brings the excitement of sight-fishing to tailing reds in super shallow water.
Speckled trout, or sea trout, are the other mainstay species that keeps anglers coming back to these waters. These beautiful fish are abundant from spring through fall, with the best action typically in the 14 to 18-inch range. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster bars, and channel edges. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes and the fact that where you catch one, you'll usually find more. Cold fronts can turn them off, but when conditions are right, you can put together impressive numbers of quality fish.
Black drum are the underdog fighters of the bay system, and St. Louis Bay holds some real quality fish. These bottom-dwellers can range from keeper-sized fish around 16 inches up to monster drums pushing 40 pounds or more. They're year-round residents that feed heavily on crabs and shrimp around oyster bars and shell bottom. When a big drum grabs your bait and heads for deep water, you'll understand why experienced anglers target these powerful fish. They're also excellent table fare when prepared correctly.
Crevalle jack bring the excitement factor when they show up in schools, usually during warmer months. These aggressive predators hunt in packs and will destroy any bait that gets in their way. They're not the prettiest fish in the bay, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter. When the jacks are busting bait on the surface, it's pure chaos – and pure fun.
African pompano are the wild card species that can show up when you least expect them. These silvery speedsters are built for the open ocean but venture into the bay system following bait schools. They're incredible fighters with long runs and acrobatic jumps, and catching one is always a highlight of any trip. They're more common during summer and early fall when water temperatures are highest.
Captain Elijah Troutman's half-day charters book up fast, especially during peak fishing season from March through November. This world-class inshore fishing experience gives you everything you need for a successful day on the water – expert local knowledge, quality tackle, live bait, and access to some of the Gulf Coast's most productive fishing grounds. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, celebrate a special occasion, or just get away from it all for a few hours, this customer favorite delivers the goods. St. Louis Bay's diverse fishery means action year-round, and with Captain Troutman's experience and dedication to putting clients on fish, you're in for a memorable day. Don't wait – this renowned charter fills up quickly, and the fish are biting.
Step aboard "The Lightning," a 23-foot Lightning Marine motorboat that's your ticket to prime fishing grounds in St. Louis Bay. This nimble inshore rig runs on a powerful 250 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast while keeping everyone dry. Built for serious angling, she's loaded with everything you need - GPS to mark those honey holes, fish finder to spot what's lurking below, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky redfish without spooking them, while the onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold between hookups. With radar for those hazy Gulf mornings and VHF radio for safety, Captain Troutman's boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably. Whether you're chasing speckled trout in the shallows or hunting bull reds along the grass lines, this setup puts you right where the action is in Mississippi's productive inshore waters.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican pompano are one of our most prized catches - sleek, silvery speedsters that can reach 30+ inches and put up an amazing fight. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water around structure, though juveniles sometimes show up closer to shore. They're fast swimmers that cover lots of ground hunting baitfish and crabs. What makes them special is their incredible speed and stamina - they'll make blistering runs that test your tackle and skills. The meat is excellent too, with a firm texture that's perfect for grilling. These fish are drawn to shiny, moving objects, so jigs and spoons work great alongside live bait. Local secret: when you're working deeper structure, drop a white bucktail jig and work it aggressively off the bottom. Their curiosity and predatory instincts make them investigate fast-moving lures.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of St. Louis Bay, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season - that's when they school up and become easier to target. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but keep smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. Here's a local trick: use fresh peeler crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit right on the bottom near oyster bars. The crab scent drives them crazy and catfish usually leave it alone, giving you a better shot at hooking a real bull drum.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of St. Louis Bay - pure muscle and attitude packed into 12-24 inches of brassy green fury. These aggressive predators hunt in schools around grass beds, structure, and open water, pushing baitfish to the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your jackpot sign. They fight way above their weight class with bulldogging runs that'll burn your arms out. While they're not great table fare, the fight alone makes them worth targeting, especially for kids who want nonstop action. They'll hit almost anything that moves fast - spoons, topwater plugs, or live bait. Here's the deal: when you find a school, cast past them and rip your lure back as fast as you can. These bullies love the chase, and that aggressive retrieve triggers their predator instincts every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots typically run 20-35 inches and love cruising the flats in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy bottoms year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. They're phenomenal fighters that'll make long, powerful runs and never give up easy. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm white meat. The coolest thing is sight fishing for them in skinny water - watching a big red tail on your lure is pure adrenaline. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or wakes in the shallows, then drop a gold spoon about 10 feet ahead of where they're heading. Retrieve it steady but not too fast.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in St. Louis Bay. These silvery, spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats and shallow areas, especially at dawn and dusk. They're most active during cooler months when water temps drop, and they school up in deeper channels during winter. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're also scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so you need to stay on your toes. Pro tip: when working grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise attracts them from a distance, and that natural shrimp presentation is hard to beat in these waters.
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