Speckled Trout Guide — Biloxi, MS

If you grew up fishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you know Back Bay Biloxi. The bay stretches from the mouth of the Tchoutacabouffa River all the way out to Ocean Springs and Deer Island, and it holds speckled trout from late April through September.

Popp's Ferry Bridge is about as far up the bay as you want to fish for specks and reds. North and west of the bridge the water turns more fresh and the salinity drops off. Trout want salt, so you're fishing from the bridge downstream toward the coast. That stretch of water between the bridge and the coastal marsh edges is where the fish live.

Your uncle or any local worth his salt will tell you the same thing: find the channels, deep holes, and dredge cuts, then look for a pier or large structure nearby. That combination is where specks stack up. The structure gives them ambush points and shade. The depth change gives them an escape when water temps swing. Work those spots systematically and you'll find fish.

Popping corks with live shrimp is the preferred setup. Pop it, let it sit, pop it again. When they're biting, the strike comes fast. Live shrimp gets expensive, so here's a practical move: use Gulp shrimp once you've found a hot spot and save your live bait to locate the next one. The artificials fish nearly as well when trout are actively feeding.

Tie about 18 inches of fluorocarbon leader below the cork. Back Bay water can get clear in summer and trout will pass on mono.

Spring and early summer are the most consistent. Water temps in the mid-60s to low 80s keep fish active all day. By August the midday heat pushes them deep, so hit it early morning or around sunset. September stays productive as long as the water hasn't cooled too fast. That said, you can catch specks in Back Bay almost year round. Outside that prime window, patience and picking the right tide will still put fish in the boat.

Don't be surprised if you pull up a redfish or flounder while targeting specks. The bay is shallow enough that when trout start biting and stirring the water, other species notice. It turns into a mixed bag fast.

One more tip: watch the pelicans and seagulls. In shallow water like Back Bay, birds will lead you straight to the baitfish and the hot spots. If you see them working an area, go there.

If you want to extend the trout bite beyond the bay, the Biloxi artificial reefs hold specks year-round and are worth the short run offshore.

This is shallow inshore fishing, so an inshore spinning rod and reel combo in a medium action handles everything you'll encounter in Back Bay.