Twelve Months of Fishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Fishing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast can be excellent at any time of the year; but, like most places in the country, the fishing season does have its peaks and valleys.

The month of January would have to be considered a low point in the year, and even February does not offer significant improvement in the fishing conditions. By March, however, water temperatures will begin to climb and when they reach 68 or so, things will begin to sure 'nuff heat up.

The arrival of April stirs Mississippi Gulf Coast fishermen into action, and by May anglers can look forward to finding live shrimp at most area fishing camps. June is a favorite month of mine, if only because this is the prime time for fishing the barrier island seagrass flats for big speckled trout on topwater baits.

When July finally arrives, the season will be in full-swing. Salt-loving migratory pelagic species like jack crevalle, Spanish makerel, sharks and such, will be cruising the front beach flats and barrier island shores with regularity. That trend will continue through August and September.

The arrival of fall is highlighted by the October run of red drum in Mississippi Sound waters. November's featured species is the striped bass, and by December anglers will be targeting speckled trout in the bays and backwaters...

Whenever you may decide to wet a hook in our coastal waters, you can be assured that the fish will be eager to oblige...