Best Times & Seasons to Catch Redfish in Mississippi

Redfish are one of the most targeted fish species in Mississippi’s inshore fisheries. Knowing the best times and seasons to target redfish in Mississippi can really help anglers achieve better results. 

The best times to catch redfish in Mississippi waters are from January to June and from September to November when waters are clear and redfish move closer to shore. 

Mississippi offers excellent redfish fishing. Bays, marches, and rivers are the perfect places to fish for redfish. Fishermen choose to use fly fishing or light spinning tackle techniques to catch redfish in the local waters.    

Redfish Fishing in Mississippi: Best Times

Redfish fishing season in Mississippi is high between January and June and between September and November. The worst months to target redfish in the region are July – August and December. 

The best time of day to catch redfish depends a lot on where you are targeting redfish in Mississippi. Redfish tend to feed actively in cooler waters. Redfish are active in shallows during the morning hours and in deep waters during the afternoon hours. 

Tides affect the behavior of redfish. So, the success of redfish anglers depends a lot on tide times. Incoming low tide is the best tide to fish for redfish in the waters of Mississippi.

It’s possible to catch redfish when the water temperature is 58 – 92°F. However, redfish feed actively when the water temperature is 75 – 88°F.    

Seasonal Breakdown of Redfish Fishing in Mississippi

Winter

Winter fishing for redfish in Coastal Mississippi is very productive. Anglers should plan their Mississippi fishing trips with the weather conditions in mind. It would be better to go fishing for redfish when the winds are high. Redfish school up in high numbers during winter months.

However, anglers should search for redfish during the winter time. Water is clear in the region and that’s why fishermen find it easy to see large schools of redfish. In winter, redfish can be found in shallow flats and in deep holes at the mouth of the creek. Nearshore reefs attract redfish as well.            

Spring

Spring is the perfect time of year to target redfish in Mississippi. The water warms up and the activity of fish increases. Weather, water temperatures, and tides often change during the springtime. That’s why redfish fishing can be challenging. Redfish fishing is the most productive in the region in the late spring.

It’s a great idea to target redfish in the waters near Biloxi Bay, Ernie Zimmerman Reefs, and the Mississippi Barrier Islands during the spring months. Grass flats, docks, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, coastal rivers, and creeks near the cover attract spring redfish.     

Summer

Redfish fishing is excellent in the early summer. However, fishing for redfish is less productive in July – August. The Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is the perfect place for those anglers, who are interested in catching summertime redfish. Anglers can target redfish on the shallow flats, in backwater creeks, marshes, and coastal inlets.

Nearshore reefs and wrecks attract redfish as well. It’s also possible to fish for redfish on docks and piers. Oftentimes, redfish move to the deep areas during the summer months. Redfish can be found in areas with deep water and plenty of cover. In summer, redfish feed actively in the afternoon.    

Fall

Fall is the peak redfish fishing season in Mississippi. It’s not hot and the water is getting cooler in the fall. Water is clear in the fall, so redfish see baits and bite very well. Redfish don’t spend too much energy on searching for food in the fall.

That’s why redfish give preference to the spots where the tidal flow can bring food to them. Fall fishing for redfish is best in the places like deeper edges of flats, channels, inshore cuts, deeper holes with warm water, and creek mouth entrances.   

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Recommended Redfish Fishing Charters in Mississippi

These Mississippi-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Barlow’s Charters & Guide Services	Biloxi, MS
Shearwater Charters	Biloxi, MS
LTO Inshore & Offshore Fishing Charters	D’Iberville, MS
Dailey Charters	Long Beach, MS
Blackdot Charters	Biloxi, MS
Impulsive Charters	Gulfport, MS
Biloxi Sport Fishing	Biloxi, MS
Skipper Charters	Biloxi, MS
Big Fish Charters	Biloxi, MS
Sting Raye Fishing Charters	Biloxi, MS
Saltwater Therapy Custom Charters	Ocean Springs, MS
Fish-On Charters	Biloxi, MS
Fishing Frenzy Charters – Pescadox	Gulfport, MS

Surf Fishing Redfish in Mississippi

The Mississippi coast attracts so many anglers, who are interested in targeting redfish. Gulfport is one of the best places to surf fish for redfish. There are many surf fishing spots in the region. It’s possible to fish for redfish from docks, buyouts, piers, and from shore. 

Redfish can be targeted in the region throughout the year. However, surf fishing redfish is best in Mississippi during the fall months. It’s not hot and there are no swimmers on the Mississippi coast in the fall. But most importantly, surf fishing for redfish is excellent at this time of the year. The worst time of year to surf fish for redfish in the region is from July – August. 

It would be great to surf fish redfish early in the morning. It’s not hot and redfish feed actively during morning hours. Mississippi surf anglers, who fish at night, often catch redfish either at dawn or dusk.  

Night Fishing Redfish in Mississippi

Fishing for redfish in Mississippi waters can be productive at night. Anglers can fish for redfish on bridges, piers, and docks with lights. It’s a good idea to fish for redfish after dark in the summer.

Night fishing allows anglers to avoid sunlight and extreme heat. Moon phases affect the behavior of redfish. Redfish fishing is the most successful during the new and full moons. 

Best Tidal Conditions for Redfish in Mississippi

Tides affect redfish fishing. It’s possible to fish for redfish at all stages of the tides. However, redfish relocate depending on tides. That’s why anglers should know where redfish go on a rising and falling tide. 

A low-income tide is the best tide for catching redfish. As a tide begins to rise, the area is flooded and redfish get active. When a tide is low, redfish can be found near creek mouths, oyster bars, and pilings. Redfish can’t hide during a low tide and anglers find it easy to catch them. 

On the other hand, a high tide is the worst tide for catching redfish in the local waters. Redfish can hide during a high tide. That’s the reason why catching redfish can be hard. When a tide is high, it’s recommended to target redfish in the backwater inlets, on the flats, in the mangroves, and in marshes.

Anglers, who go fishing a few hours before a high tide, have a better chance to catch redfish. Redfish bite well in the waters of Mississippi during negative winter tides. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch redfish in South Carolina, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch redfish in Texas, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch redfish in Florida, check out this guide.