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Gulf Coast Fishing at Its Best
Captain Ben's Fishing Charters brings you the real Gulf Coast fishing experience right from Gulfport Harbor. Whether you're a weekend angler looking to escape the grind or a serious fisherman chasing that next trophy, these 4 to 5-hour trips deliver exactly what you're after. With the flexibility to fish both inshore flats and offshore waters, you're not locked into one spot if the fish aren't biting. Captain Ben reads the water like a book, adjusting the game plan based on conditions, tides, and what's running hot that day. The boat's equipped for comfort and serious fishing, handling everything from calm bay fishing to open Gulf adventures where the big boys swim.
What to Expect on the Water
Your fishing day starts with a quick briefing on safety and what species are most active. Captain Ben keeps his finger on the pulse of local fishing patterns, so you'll know if it's better to work the inshore grass flats for redfish or make the run offshore for cobia and sharks. The boat carries top-quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for multiple fishing styles - from light tackle sight fishing to heavy bottom rigs for big drum. Bait's always fresh, whether you're using live shrimp for sheepshead around structure or cutting up mackerel for shark bait. The flexible departure times mean you can catch the morning bite or afternoon action, depending on what works for your schedule and the current fishing conditions. Groups stay small at just 4 anglers maximum, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the captain.
Techniques That Put Fish in the Boat
The beauty of fishing Gulfport waters lies in the variety of techniques you'll use throughout the trip. Inshore, you might be sight casting to cruising redfish in skinny water, or dropping live bait around bridge pilings where sheepshead stack up like cordwood. The captain switches between bottom fishing with circle hooks for black drum, drifting with jigs for sea trout over grass beds, and even some light tackle casting when schools of mackerel show up busting bait on the surface. Offshore runs open up different opportunities - trolling for cobia during their spring run, bottom fishing structure for bigger fish, or even some light shark fishing if conditions allow. The gear changes with the target species, from spinning tackle perfect for inshore work to conventional reels that can handle whatever the Gulf throws at you. Captain Ben's local knowledge shines when it comes to reading tides, finding structure, and knowing which baits trigger strikes in different conditions.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black drum are the bulldogs of the Gulf Coast, and Gulfport waters hold some real trophies. These fish congregate around structure like bridge pilings and oil rigs, especially during cooler months from November through March. They're notorious for their crushing bite and bulldogging fight that tests your drag system. What makes them special is their size potential - catching a 20-pounder is a real possibility, and the meat from smaller drum makes excellent table fare. They're bottom feeders that love blue crab and fresh shrimp, and once you hook one, expect a serious arm workout.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Gulf Coast fishing, and they're active year-round in Gulfport's grass flats and deeper holes. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 65-75 degrees. These fish are aggressive strikers that hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial jigs bounced along the bottom. The 15 to 20-inch fish are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger "gator trout" over 25 inches provide bragging rights. They school up heavily, so when you find one, you're likely to find many more in the same area.
Cobia are the spring superstars that migrate through Gulf waters from March through May, and they're absolute bucket list fish for any angler. These chocolate-brown bruisers can exceed 40 pounds and fight like a freight train with fins. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you sight fishing opportunities you don't get with many other species. Live bait works best, but they'll also crush large jigs worked near the surface. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and often compared to shark or mahi-mahi. Catching a cobia is a highlight of any Gulf fishing trip.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and the Mississippi waters around Gulfport hold healthy populations year-round. These copper-colored fighters are most active during warmer months from April through October, though you can catch them any time of year. They're ambush predators that cruise shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. The slot-size fish between 16-27 inches are excellent eating, while the oversized "bull reds" over 27 inches provide heart-stopping runs and memorable photos before release. They're smart fish that require stealth and accurate casting.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped specialists that drive anglers crazy with their bait-stealing reputation, but landing a good one is deeply satisfying. These fish are structure-oriented, living around pilings, rocks, and reefs where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Winter months from December through February offer the best sheepshead action when they school up heavily. They have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, which makes them expert bait thieves. The key is using small hooks, fresh bait, and feeling for that subtle tap-tap bite. They're exceptional table fare with firm, sweet meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Ben's Fishing Charters delivers the authentic Gulf Coast fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The combination of local expertise, quality equipment, and access to both inshore and offshore waters means you're not gambling on conditions - you're fishing with
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the bruisers of the drum family, running anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds around here, though we've seen some monsters push 50+. You'll find them cruising shallow oyster beds and muddy flats, especially during spring spawning when they school up and get easier to target. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. What makes them fun is their bulldogging fight - they'll pull drag and test your patience. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make great table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you feel that heavy thump, don't horse them - let them run and tire themselves out on the flats.
Cobia
Cobia are like the bulldogs of offshore fishing - brown, chunky fish that average 20-40 pounds but can hit 60+. We find them around structures like oil rigs, buoys, and wrecks in 30-100 feet of water during spring and summer. They're usually loners, not schooling fish, which makes sight fishing for them exciting when you spot one cruising near the surface. What guests love is their aggressive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag system for sure. Plus, they're premium table fare with firm, white meat that tastes almost like shark or mahi. My go-to technique is a bucktail jig in the 4-8 oz range bounced near structure - color doesn't matter much, but presentation does.
Redfish
Redfish are the bread and butter of our inshore trips, ranging from slot-sized 16-27 inchers up to bull reds over 30 pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime seasons when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is that distinctive black spot near the tail and their copper-bronze coloring. They fight hard with long runs and are excellent eating in the slot size range. The bigger bulls are catch-and-release only but provide fantastic sport. Local tip: look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up while they feed headdown in the shallows.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most popular inshore targets. They typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're also great fighters for their size, with surprising speed and jumping ability. Night fishing can be particularly productive when they move shallow to feed. Here's a local trick: look for nervous baitfish dimpling the surface over grass beds, and work a soft plastic shrimp or topwater plug slowly through the area.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and white stripes, typically running 1-5 pounds with the occasional 8-10 pounder around docks and pilings. They're structure huggers, living around anything with barnacles - bridges, oil platforms, jetties, you name it. Winter and early spring are best when they school up for spawning. What makes them challenging and fun is they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush crabs and barnacles. They're also some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait clean off the hook if you hesitate.
About the Reel Adventure
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Cummins
Maximum Cruising Speed: 20
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 330
