Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, November 19, 2026
This Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing report is a seasonal outlook for the week of November 12, built from forecasts and established seasonal patterns. A strong cold front is expected Thursday night into Friday, with weekend lows in the 30s and possible frost inland. Along the Mississippi Sound, a drop like this usually moves speckled trout into bayous and rivers while redfish and sheepshead gather around marsh edges and structure.
What’s Hitting
Speckled trout should move into bayous, rivers and deeper marsh channels. Redfish are found in marshes and around oyster reefs. Sheepshead begin gathering around piers, bridges and rocks. Black drum are found around structure. Flounder are migrating toward the barrier island passes. Bull reds may still be found near the barrier island passes and around the Biloxi and Pascagoula channels. Speckled trout tend to stack tightly in deeper holes during cold mornings and spread out as the day warms.
Where to Find Them
Bayous around Biloxi and Ocean Springs hold trout during cold weather. The Pascagoula River marsh provides habitat for redfish and trout. The Biloxi Bay Bridge and the Bay St. Louis Bridge offer structure for sheepshead. The barrier islands, including Ship Island, attract fish during calmer conditions. The marshes around Bayou Caddy near Bay St. Louis hold redfish and trout. The Pascagoula Beach Pier and the Biloxi Lighthouse Pier provide access for sheepshead and drum. The St. Louis Bay area offers protected water during wind.
Tides & Conditions
Wind will be more important than tides, with northwest wind lowering water in the marsh. The weekend should be dry, with showers returning Monday. Expect cold mornings and clear water. The Mississippi Sound has small tidal ranges, so a strong northwest wind can drain the marsh and concentrate fish in channels. Clear, cold water after the front may make fish cautious. Calm, sunny afternoons can warm shallow areas.
Tackle & Tactics
For trout, use soft plastics or live shrimp under popping corks. Redfish respond to gold spoons, soft plastics or cut bait. Sheepshead prefer fiddler crabs or shrimp. Flounder take mud minnows or soft plastics on the bottom. Use slower presentations after the front. Keep heavier jig heads for deeper channels, and downsize lures in clear water. Live shrimp under a cork remains reliable when fish are slow.
Local Intel This Week
Public piers in Biloxi, Gulfport and Pass Christian provide access. The Ocean Springs harbor has a public ramp. The Pascagoula River boat launches access the marsh. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish. Watch for fog on cool mornings. Popular boat launches include those in Bay St. Louis and Gulfport Harbor. The Pass Christian Harbor offers public access. Weekend parking near the piers can fill quickly. Dress warmly for Saturday morning.
This Week’s Tip
Explore the deeper bends of bayous on Saturday afternoon, when trout often gather in warmer water. Use live shrimp on the bottom near the deepest part of the bayou, and wait for the sun to warm the water before moving shallower.
Planning a trip to Mississippi Gulf Coast?
This report tells you what happened. ReelAI tells you what to do about it — a briefing for your date, your target species and how you're fishing, built from our reports plus live NOAA and USGS data.
Powered by ReelAI — fishing.digital's intelligence layer. Answers are generated from fishing.digital reports and public NOAA, NWS and USGS data, and may be incomplete or out of date. Regulations and marine safety information are summaries only; always confirm with the responsible authority before you fish.