Mississippi · Gulf Coast
POMPANO FISHING
IN OCEAN SPRINGS
Ocean Springs is a solid destination for pompano fishing. Book a charter and target pompano with local experts.
About Pompano Fishing in Ocean Springs
One of the most prized eating fish in the Gulf. Found in the surf and along sandy beaches.
Florida Pompano are among the most prized eating fish in the ocean — their rich, buttery flesh commands premium prices in restaurants. These torpedo-shaped fish have a silver body with a yellow-gold belly and fins, a deeply forked tail, and a small, downturned mouth. They travel in schools along sandy beaches, following the surf line to feed on sand fleas (mole crabs), clams, and small crustaceans. Males and females are nearly identical in appearance.
Scientific name: Trachinotus carolinus
Pompano Seasonal Calendar — Ocean Springs
Month-by-month availability for pompano in Ocean Springs, MS.
How to Catch Pompano in Ocean Springs
Techniques & Bait
Live sand fleas (mole crabs) are the ultimate pompano bait, fished on a double-drop pompano rig with a pyramid sinker in the surf. Fishfinder rigs with fresh-cut shrimp or Fishbites artificial baits (in shrimp or sand flea scent) are highly effective. From boats, small jigs (1/4-3/8 oz) tipped with shrimp or Fishbites bounced along sandy bottoms produce well. Doc's Goofy Jigs and pompano-specific teardrop jigs in pink, chartreuse, and yellow are favorites.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-light surf rod (9-10 ft) or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft) for boat fishing. 3000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. Size #1-1/0 circle hooks for surf rigs.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Ocean Springs
Top spots where local captains target pompano and other inshore species.
Davis Bayou
Davis Bayou is the centerpiece of the Gulf Islands National Seashore's mainland unit in Ocean Springs, offering a protected tidal waterway where speckled trout, redfish, and flounder hold along its marsh grass edges and oyster shell banks. The bayou's visitor center and public boat ramp provide convenient access to this scenic inshore fishery surrounded by maritime forest. Fall produces exceptional speckled trout fishing as cooler water temperatures push fish into the bayou's deeper bends and pools.
Biloxi Bay Grass Flats
The grass flats along the southern shore of Ocean Springs in Biloxi Bay provide prime sight-fishing territory for tailing redfish, speckled trout, and flounder feeding on shrimp and small crabs. These expansive shallow flats warm quickly in spring, drawing fish up from the deeper bay to feed in the shallows on incoming tides. Wade anglers and kayak fishermen favor these flats for their accessibility and consistent production of quality inshore gamefish.
Fort Bayou
Fort Bayou is a meandering tidal creek northeast of Ocean Springs that winds through undeveloped marsh before connecting to the broader Biloxi Bay system, holding redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, and flounder. The bayou's fallen timber, undercut banks, and oyster shell points create natural ambush structure that concentrates gamefish along predictable locations. Its relatively narrow channel and limited boat traffic make it a favorite among local anglers seeking a quiet, productive inshore experience.
Old Fort Bayou Bridge
The Old Fort Bayou Bridge on Highway 90 creates a nearshore structure point where tidal current funnels through the pilings, attracting sheepshead, redfish, flounder, and black drum year-round. The bridge's concrete pilings are encrusted with oysters and barnacles that provide forage for sheepshead, which stack up around the structure in impressive numbers during cooler months. Anglers fish live shrimp or fiddler crabs on the bottom alongside the pilings for consistent catches.
Other Species in Ocean Springs
More fish you can target while visiting Ocean Springs.
Pompano Fishing in Ocean Springs — FAQ
Pompano fishing in Ocean Springs is productive during .
Pompano fishing charters in Ocean Springs are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live sand fleas (mole crabs) are the ultimate pompano bait, fished on a double-drop pompano rig with a pyramid sinker in the surf. Fishfinder rigs with fresh-cut shrimp or Fishbites artificial baits (in shrimp or sand flea scent) are highly effective. From boats, small jigs (1/4-3/8 oz) tipped with shrimp or Fishbites bounced along sandy bottoms produce well. Doc's Goofy Jigs and pompano-specific teardrop jigs in pink, chartreuse, and yellow are favorites.
No — when you book a charter in Ocean Springs, your captain provides all required Mississippi fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Pompano regulations in Mississippi include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Pompano in Ocean Springs, you may also catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Flounder. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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