April 2026 — Mississippi Gulf Coast: Cobia Peak, Tarpon Scouts Arriving. April is a spring month with water in the 68-76°F range — cobia peak window; permit on flats (South FL Gulf); snook moving. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — April 2026
Primary targets this month: Speckled Trout, Redfish, Cobia, Black Drum.
Speckled Trout
Trout holding in the Mississippi Sound (Biloxi Marsh, Bay St. Louis, Pascagoula River mouth), the barrier island flats (Cat Island, Ship Island, Horn Island), and the deeper sound holes — Mississippi is the speckled trout capital of the Gulf. Live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs in natural colors (root beer, new penny, opening night).
Redfish
Redfish in the Biloxi Marsh, Bay St. Louis flats, Pascagoula River mouth, the barrier islands’ interior bays, and the rip-rap shorelines. Cut bait, gold spoons, and soft plastics on light jigheads.
Cobia
Peak cobia migration. Sight-fishing along the beach, around the offshore platforms, the artificial reefs (FH-12, FH-13), and following stingrays in spring along the beach, and following stingrays in clear water. Need calm seas (1-2 ft) and sun overhead. 4-6″ bucktails (chartreuse, white, pink), large soft plastic eels, or live eels and pinfish. Cobia often follow first refusals — make a second cast.
Black Drum
Black drum (bull drum 30+ lb) on the marshes, the bayou edges, the harbor structures, and the passes — schoolies in the marsh and bulls in the deeper Sound. Cut blue crab, fresh shrimp, or peeler crab on a 5/0-7/0 circle hook with enough weight to hold bottom. Slow, deliberate fishery — set the rod and wait for the rod to bend.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 68-76°F. Cobia peak window; permit on flats (south fl gulf); snook moving. Mississippi Sound has minimal tide range (1-1.5 ft) — wind dominates the fishery. South winds push water and bait into the marsh; north winds drop water and concentrate fish in the deeper Sound holes. The passes (Pass Christian, Biloxi Bay, Pascagoula) run on real tidal current and fish best on outgoing.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Cobia readiness. Keep a heavy spinning rod (8000-class, 40-50 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluoro) ready with a bucktail or live eel — cobia don’t announce themselves.
- Sight-fishing weather. Plan trips around calm seas and sun overhead. Polarized lenses essential.
- Bait migration. Spanish, kings, and predators follow bait pods — watch for diving birds and surface activity.
April Outlook
Peak spring migrations — cobia (Gulf/SE), striped bass (mid-Atlantic), spawning movements everywhere.
Regulations Reminder
Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Cobia: 36″ fork length, one per harvester (FL state waters — verify current rules). Black Drum: 14-24″ slot or 16″ minimum depending on state; 1-5 per day. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Boomerang Bait & Tackle (Biloxi, 228-374-2422); J&M Tackle (Bay St. Louis); Pascagoula Bait & Tackle; The Sportsman (Long Beach).
Public Boat Ramps: Point Cadet Marina (Biloxi), Pass Christian Harbor, Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, Pascagoula Public Landing, Bay St. Louis Public Ramp, Lyman Public Ramp.
Charter Fishing: $450–$700 inshore (Sound trout/reds); $700–$1,100 nearshore rigs/reefs; $1,200–$2,200 offshore (rigs, deep snapper).
More Mississippi Gulf Coast Resources
Mississippi Gulf Coast Fishing Guide · Mississippi Gulf Coast Seasonal Calendar · All Mississippi Gulf Coast reports →
Reports updated every Thursday on fishing.digital.