Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing | Bay St. Louis

Bay St. Louis: 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure

Ready for some rod-bending action in the heart of Mississippi's coastal waters? Our 4-hour charter trip out of Bay St. Louis is just the ticket. We'll hit the local reefs and maybe even cruise out to the barrier islands if conditions are right. Whether you're after speckled trout, redfish, or sheepshead, we've got you covered with all the gear and know-how to make your day on the water a success.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement building. We'll cruise through the bay, keeping an eye out for bird activity that often signals fish below. Our first stop might be a grass flat where redfish love to hunt, or we could head straight to a reef where speckled trout are schooling up. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're casting to structure for sheepshead, the next you're drifting a soft plastic for flounder.

This trip is perfect for families, and we love seeing kids light up when they feel that first tug on the line. Speaking of kids, those 12 and under ride free, making this an affordable family outing. We provide everything you need – rods, reels, bait, and even water to keep you hydrated. At the end of the day, we'll clean and bag your catch, so all you have to do is fire up the grill when you get home.

Fishing Tactics & Hotspots

Inshore fishing in Bay St. Louis is all about versatility. We might start the day throwing soft plastics under a popping cork for speckled trout. If the bite is slow, we'll switch it up and toss live shrimp near oyster beds for redfish. For sheepshead, we'll use fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp right up against pilings or rocks – these fish love structure.

On calm days, we might run out to Cat Island or Ship Island. These barrier islands offer some fantastic fishing opportunities, with deeper water and the chance to tangle with bigger fish. The sand flats around the islands are prime territory for sight-fishing redfish – there's nothing quite like watching a big red crush your lure in crystal clear water.

Top Catches This Season

Bay St. Louis has been on fire lately. We've been putting clients on some monster speckled trout, with several fish over 5 pounds hitting the deck. Redfish have been thick around the marsh edges, and we've had days where it seems like every cast produces a fish. The sheepshead bite has been steady too, especially around the bridges and jetties. These striped brawlers put up a great fight and are delicious on the plate.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Speckled Trout: These spotted beauties are a favorite among local anglers. They're aggressive feeders and put up a great fight on light tackle. In the cooler months, we find big schools of specks in deeper holes and channels. Come summer, they spread out over grass flats and around oyster reefs. A 2-3 pound trout is a good catch, but we occasionally hook into gator trout pushing 5-7 pounds.

Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored bruisers are the bulldogs of the inshore world. They love to hang around structure and in shallow water, often giving themselves away with their tails sticking out of the water as they root for crabs. Redfish in the 3-8 pound range are common, but we sometimes tangle with bulls over 20 pounds. The fall "flood tide" season, when extremely high tides push redfish into the spartina grass, is a sight-fishing paradise.

Sheepshead: Don't let their goofy looks fool you – sheepshead are smart, strong fighters that'll test your skills. These striped fish have powerful jaws full of human-like teeth, perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles. They love hanging around bridge pilings, jetties, and other hard structure. A 3-5 pound sheepshead is a good catch, but they can grow much larger. The best time to target them is in the late winter and early spring when they school up to spawn.

Flounder: These flatfish are ambush predators, lying camouflaged on the bottom waiting to pounce on passing baitfish. We often find them around drop-offs, creek mouths, and sandy bottoms near structure. While they might not fight as hard as some other species, their delicious white meat makes them a prized catch. Fall is typically the best time for flounder as they move to deeper water for the winter.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Fishing the waters around Bay St. Louis isn't just about what ends up in the cooler – it's about the whole experience. As we weave through the marsh, you might spot ospreys diving for fish or dolphins playing in our wake. The sunrises out here are something special, painting the sky in colors you have to see to believe.

But let's be honest – catching fish is a big part of why folks come back. There's nothing like the bend in your rod when a big redfish takes off on a screaming run. Or the excitement of a speckled trout blasting your topwater lure as the sun's coming up. Even if you're an experienced angler, there's always something new to learn out here.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get out on the water and experience some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer, now's the time to lock in your trip. Our 4-hour charters are perfect for both seasoned anglers looking for a quick fishing fix and families wanting to introduce the kids to the joys of fishing.

Remember, we provide all the gear, bait, and know-how – all you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a snack or two. And don't forget, kids 12 and under fish for free, making this an affordable family outing.

The fish are biting, and the weather's fine. Give us a call or book online to reserve your spot. Whether you're after a cooler full of fish for the dinner table or just want to enjoy a beautiful day on the water, we've got you covered. See you on the boat!