Folks often ask when the best time is to come to Mississippi to fly fish for redfish. I am reluctant to tell them, “pretty much from October to March,” because surely it can’t all be that good, right? I am inclined to think so. There’s something for everyone. I’ve often felt the need to elaborate on the fishing seasons on the Mississippi gulf coast, so here goes.
October kicks off my fishing season on the coast, often with a bang. This time of year, post-spawn groups of bull redfish return to the Biloxi marsh in droves. They are on the hunt for baitfish, shrimp and crabs in the shallow flats and bayou edges. The weather is hot and high pressure is common. Fish crawl on low pressure days and occasionally school up. The weather this time of year is generally really comfortable, and shots at quality fish are ample.
November is like October, but a little cooler. It’s awesome. Big redfish continue to tail and crawl up shallow. The weather tends to be more of a factor, particularly on some bumpy mornings crossing the Mississippi sound. The journey is almost always worth it though, with November being a prime month to target fish in the 40 inch range, and shots at even bigger ones in play almost every day. It seems like we get most chances at slams in November and December.
December and January are awesome, when the weather permits. This is my favorite time of year to chase true giant redfish. That said, it’s pretty volatile from a weather standpoint. Sometimes days-long weather fronts move through and derail a trip. Big fish come with big waves, right? The upside is tremendous, with schools of fish moving in bays and on beaches.
Bull reds get happy even on the nastiest days. A brief weather window is all it takes for a once in a lifetime opportunity to present itself. Floating fish and tailing behavior is crazy this time of year, sometimes when you least expect it. This is where fishing those cold front days pays off and exceptional fish are caught against the odds. Then, too, are the times we can just blow the lid off the thing. A calm, warm day in the midwinter is one of the best opportunities you can get all year long.
February is a unique time of year and it’s typically a time of change in our fisheries. The winter begins to lift its grip and fish get really happy. Similarly there are still a bunch of huge fish around in February. If your midseason dates got cancelled for weather, February or March is a great time to rebook. The weather is often more comfortable and shots are even more plentiful. Springtime in the marsh typically means clean water and happy upper slot redfish. Still there are some bulls around as well, but the abundance of opportunity is what makes March shine. Sheepshead are particularly active this time of year as well. This is an awesome time to get on the water especially for beginning saltwater anglers, for the consistent conditions and ample shots.
Beyond into the late spring and summer, the water warms and dirties up significantly. The big fish head back to deeper, cooler water and start thinking about the spawn. As for me, I turn my attention north to trout fishing out at Teton Valley Lodge, and I try to sneak in some extracurricular adventures in the meantime. Thanks for reading about the fishing seasons on the Mississippi gulf coast, and I hope this helps you decide when to chase redfish. Get in touch with me some time to start planning your trip!