Half Day Fishing Trip in St. Louis Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour guided inshore fishing trip in St. Louis BayTarget redfish, sea trout, and black drum with provided equipmentPrivate charter accommodates up to four guests comfortably
Captain Elijah Troutman knows St. Louis Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour inshore adventure launches from Pass Christian Harbor and targets the prime fishing grounds where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up along the drop-offs. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain Troutman's got the local knowledge and patience to make your Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing trip one for the books. His 23' Lightning Marine runs smooth and gets you to the honey holes fast, giving you maximum time with lines in the water.
St. Louis Bay offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing along the Mississippi coast, and Captain Troutman knows exactly where to find the action. You'll be fishing the grass flats, oyster reefs, and channel edges where baitfish gather and predators follow. The bay's mix of fresh and salt water creates perfect conditions for multiple species, meaning you never know what's going to hit your line next. This is sight fishing and bottom fishing combined - sometimes you'll spot redfish tailing in knee-deep water, other times you'll be working live bait along structure waiting for that telltale thump of a black drum. The captain provides all tackle, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when the bull reds show up. Live bait is the name of the game here, with fresh shrimp, croaker, and pogies that the local fish can't resist.
Captain Troutman runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. You'll work live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds for speckled trout, free-line croaker around structure for black drum, and sight cast to tailing redfish in the shallows. The 23' Lightning Marine is rigged with quality rods and reels matched to the target species - medium action spinning tackle for trout and smaller reds, heavier gear when big drum or bull reds are on the menu. The boat's shallow draft lets you get into places bigger boats can't reach, while the stable platform gives you room to fight fish and move around safely. Live wells keep bait fresh all day, and the captain's local knowledge means you'll be fishing productive water from start to finish. All fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Louis Bay, with slot-sized fish running 18-27 inches providing consistent action year-round. These copper-colored fighters love the bay's shallow grass flats and oyster bars, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall bring the biggest numbers, but summer fishing can be red-hot in the early morning hours. What makes reds special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make screaming runs and test your drag system. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Speckled trout stack up along the bay's drop-offs and grass lines, particularly during cooler months when they move into deeper pockets. These silver-sided beauties average 14-20 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds. Specks are notorious for their soft mouths, so steady pressure without horsing them is key. They hit live shrimp and soft plastics with equal enthusiasm, and their delicate white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table.
Black drum cruise the bay's oyster reefs and mud bottoms, with fish ranging from 2-pound puppies to 30-pound bulls. These bottom feeders are suckers for fresh dead shrimp and blue crab, and their fight is all power - straight down and stubborn. Bigger drum are catch-and-release fish, but the smaller ones are fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat.
Crevalle jack show up in schools during warmer months, providing arm-burning action when other species are finicky. These silver torpedoes average 3-8 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They'll crush live bait and small lures, making multiple blistering runs that'll have you questioning your tackle choices.
African pompano are the wild card species - when they show up, it's usually in schools and they're aggressive feeders. These deep-bodied fighters are excellent table fare and put up a spirited fight on light tackle. They're most common during summer months around structure and bait schools.
St. Louis Bay fishing with Captain Elijah Troutman delivers the complete Mississippi Gulf Coast experience - multiple species, proven techniques, and local expertise that puts you on fish. This top-rated charter accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families, couples, or small groups of friends. The 4-hour trip length gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques without wearing out the kids or novice anglers. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat and making memories on the water. Captain Troutman's reputation for putting clients on fish and ensuring everyone has a great time makes this trip a customer favorite among both locals and visitors to the Mississippi coast.
Step aboard "The Lightning," a well-equipped 23-footer that'll get you to the fish in St. Louis Bay. This Lightning Marine boat handles the Gulf Coast waters like a dream with its 250 HP Yamaha pushing you smoothly to the best fishing spots around the Mississippi Barrier Islands. Captain Elijah keeps up to 4 anglers comfortable while you chase redfish and sea trout in the shallows. The boat's loaded with everything serious fishermen need - GPS to mark those honey holes, fish finder to locate schools, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. Between bites, grab a cold drink from the icebox or tune into the multimedia system. With radar for those foggy mornings and VHF radio for safety, you're covered whether the redfish are tailing in skinny water or the trout are stacked up deeper. This setup gets you fishing fast and keeps you on the water in comfort.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican Pompano are the sleek silver ghosts of deeper water, typically found in 30-250 feet around structure and drop-offs. These diamond-shaped fish average 10-20 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds and nearly 40 inches. Juveniles have long trailing filaments that disappear as they mature. While not as common inshore, we occasionally encounter them over deeper channels and around oil rigs. What makes pompano special is their speed and acrobatic fights - they're lightning fast and love to jump. They're also premium table fare with firm, white meat that's considered a delicacy. These fish are attracted to shiny, moving objects, so bright jigs and live bait work best. The trick with pompano is using lighter tackle than you'd think - they're spooky fish that require finesse. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them, or they'll throw the hook with their aerial displays.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of St. Louis Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black fish love crushing crabs and oysters with their powerful jaws around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to locate. What makes them special is that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater - you can actually hear schools before you see them. They're solid table fare under 15 pounds, but the big ones get tough and chewy. My go-to trick is using fresh peeler crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near oyster bars. These fish are built like tanks and will test your drag when hooked. They're perfect for anglers wanting a different kind of fight than the typical redfish or trout.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the muscle cars of the bay - golden-green torpedo-shaped fish that average 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, though they can reach 4 feet and 60 pounds. You'll find them schooling around structure, grass beds, and open water from shallow flats to 100+ feet deep. They're year-round residents but summer brings the best action when baitfish are thick. What draws anglers to jacks is their raw power - pound-for-pound, nothing fights harder. They'll test every knot and strain your equipment. Watch for diving birds to locate feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or fast-moving lures. While they're not great table fare, the fight alone makes them worth targeting. Here's the trick: when you find a school, work fast and aggressive retrieves. Jacks love the chase, so the faster you reel, the more likely they'll hammer your lure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 18-35 inches and 3-15 pounds, though we occasionally see monsters over 40 inches. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel drag and test your skills. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are what really get people excited - watching a red's wake as it hunts the shallows is pure fishing magic. Pro tip: cast past cruising fish and work your bait back into their path. Never cast directly at them or you'll spook the whole school.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them here, are beautiful silver fish with distinct black spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow areas around 3-8 feet, especially near structure like oyster bars or drop-offs. These fish are most active during low-light periods - early morning, late evening, and overcast days. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also great fighters for their size, making long runs when hooked. The key to consistent trout fishing is working the grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork. Keep your bait about 2 feet off the bottom and work it slowly. When you find one trout, there's usually more around, so mark that spot and work it thoroughly.
undefined, undefined