Mississippi · Gulf Coast
REDFISH FISHING
IN PASS CHRISTIAN
Pass Christian is an outstanding destination for redfish fishing, with peak season in March, April, September and good catches in January, February, May. Book a charter and target redfish with local experts.
About Redfish Fishing in Pass Christian
Also known as Red Drum, one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish in the Gulf. Known for powerful runs and the distinctive spot on the tail.
Redfish — also called Red Drum — are the most popular inshore gamefish along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts. They are bronze-copper in color with one or more distinctive black spots near the tail, which scientists believe confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. Juveniles (called "rat reds") are bright gold or copper, while bull reds over 30 inches take on a deeper bronze-red hue with a pronounced hump behind the head. Males and females are visually identical, though females grow larger and are the primary spawners.
Scientific name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Redfish Seasonal Calendar — Pass Christian
Month-by-month availability for redfish in Pass Christian, MS.
How to Catch Redfish in Pass Christian
Techniques & Bait
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
Recommended Tackle
Medium or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500-3000 size reel, 10-15 lb braided line, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. For bull reds: medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30 lb leader.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Pass Christian
Top spots where local captains target redfish and other inshore species.
Pass Christian Harbor
Pass Christian Harbor is a protected small-craft harbor that provides excellent dock and piling fishing for sheepshead, redfish, flounder, and black drum around the barnacle-encrusted marina structure. The harbor's connection to Mississippi Sound ensures fresh tidal flow that brings baitfish through on each cycle, keeping gamefish populations resident and feeding. Winter sheepshead fishing around the harbor pilings is a local tradition that produces reliable catches on fiddler crabs and live shrimp.
Henderson Point
Henderson Point extends into Mississippi Sound at the eastern edge of Pass Christian, creating a natural point structure where tidal currents concentrate speckled trout, redfish, and flounder along its sand and shell edges. The point's grass flats and adjacent deeper water create a feeding transition zone where gamefish move up to feed on incoming tides. Wade fishing the Henderson Point flats during early morning and late afternoon produces consistent catches of speckled trout throughout the warmer months.
Bay St. Louis Mouth
The mouth of Bay St. Louis where it meets Mississippi Sound creates a major tidal exchange point that attracts redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead to its mixing zone of bay and sound waters. The outflow from the bay carries nutrients and baitfish that concentrate gamefish along the channel edges and adjacent flats. Pass Christian anglers fish the bay mouth on falling tides when large volumes of water funnel through the narrow opening, creating ideal ambush conditions for predators.
Wolf River Estuary
The Wolf River flows into Bay St. Louis through a pristine estuary of marsh grass, cypress swamp, and tidal creeks that hold redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in a beautiful natural setting. The river's freshwater influence creates a nutrient-rich mixing zone that sustains abundant shrimp and crab populations. Kayak anglers favor the Wolf River estuary for its undeveloped shoreline and the opportunity to sight-fish for tailing redfish on the shallow mud and grass flats.
Other Species in Pass Christian
More fish you can target while visiting Pass Christian.
Redfish Fishing in Pass Christian — FAQ
The peak months for Redfish fishing in Pass Christian are March, April, September, October. During these months, Redfish are most active and abundant in the Pass Christian area.
Redfish fishing charters in Pass Christian are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
No — when you book a charter in Pass Christian, your captain provides all required Mississippi fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Redfish 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 Redfish in Pass Christian, you may also catch Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Flounder, Vermilion Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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