UTERRedfish fishing in Mississippi & Alabama Coast
In Mississippi & Alabama Coast, redfish peak April–May and September–November and are around year-round, spawning in September–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Grass beds and marsh points of the Biloxi Marsh and Grand Bay; shrimp under a cork.
The bull run at Pass Christian, Horn Island and the Dauphin Island bridge; slot reds on the marsh edges.
Redfish in Mississippi & Alabama Coast, month by month
- JanuaryAroundDeep bayous and the Mobile–Tensaw delta mouths; slow a jig on the bottom.
- FebruaryAroundSheepshead and drum spawn at the bridges. Dauphin Island bridge and the causeway; white trout in the ship channel.
- MarchAround
- AprilPeakGrass beds and marsh points of the Biloxi Marsh and Grand Bay; shrimp under a cork.
- MayPeakLast good push before summer; falling tide on the marsh edges.
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberSpawningBull reds at Dauphin Island, Petit Bois and the mouth of Mobile Bay — spawning fish on the passes.
- OctoberSpawningThe bull run at Pass Christian, Horn Island and the Dauphin Island bridge; slot reds on the marsh edges.
- NovemberPeakMarsh edges on the high tide; reds pile up in the bayous after each front.
- DecemberAroundWinter on the pilings. Bridges and docks for sheepshead; deep river bends for trout.
Where to fish redfish near Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi
The Mississippi Sound behind Cat, Ship, Horn and Petit Bois islands, the Biloxi Marsh to the west, Mobile Bay and the Mobile–Tensaw Delta, the Dauphin Island bridge and causeway, Perdido Bay and the Alabama beaches — with the world's biggest artificial-reef zone just offshore of Orange Beach.
Fish Scouter charts 36 grass flat, 1 dock / pilings, 1 pass / inlet spots in the Mississippi Sound & Mobile Bay map area — the kinds redfish hold on.
What to use for redfish
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
- CroakersHooked through the back on a 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook, free-lined or on a Carolina rig — big trout and redfish can't leave them alone.
- Leader20–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook1/0–3/0
- Jig head1/8–3/8 oz
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 58–90°F water, best at 65–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch redfish in Mississippi & Alabama Coast?
Peak season is April–May and September–November, with fish spawning in September–October (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Redfish are here year-round. April: Grass beds and marsh points of the Biloxi Marsh and Grand Bay; shrimp under a cork.
Where do redfish hold in Mississippi & Alabama Coast?
Look on grass flat, pass / inlet, channel edge, bridge — around Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Dauphin Island.
What is the best bait for redfish in Mississippi & Alabama Coast?
Live bait: live shrimp, pinfish, finger mullet, blue crabs. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook 1/0–3/0, jig head 1/8–3/8 oz, braid 10–20 lb.
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