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Common Finfish in Mississippi Waters

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus
Illustration of a red drum fish showing distinctive black tail spot; used for identifying Mississippi saltwater species and fishing regulations.
Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) illustration with signature black spot near the tail, a key species regulated in Mississippi saltwater fishing.

Widely known as Redfish, this species is a favorite of local anglers. These bruisers can get upwards of 30 pounds. Feeding habits are intermediate between their cousins, the bottom-feeding Black Drum and the more surface-feeding Spotted Seatrout. Blue crabs and gold spoons are among the best bait to use for catching Redfish.

Southern Flounder

Paralichthys lethostigma
Illustration of a southern flounder with dark mottled coloring and flattened body, a species regulated in Mississippi saltwater fishing.
Illustration of a southern flounder, a popular flatfish found in Mississippi coastal waters and commonly targeted by recreational anglers.

Flounder are among the best food quality fish Mississippi has to offer and can be caught using bucktail or curl tail jigs during the day or by gigging at night. Flounder are ambush predators so anglers must actively seek them out where they lie and wait.

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus
Illustration of a sheepshead fish showing black vertical stripes, spiny dorsal fin, and silver body, common in Mississippi coastal waters.
Illustration of a sheepshead fish, known for its bold black stripes and sharp spines, commonly found in Mississippi’s inshore saltwater habitats.

Sheepshead are easily identified by its vertical bars and human-like teeth. The species uses its teeth to crush shellfish and crustaceans with protective shells. Anglers are most likely to land a Sheepshead using shrimp or fiddler crabs when fishing near structure. Be aware, they are known for stealing bait off the hook with a very subtle bite.

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus maculatus
Illustration of a Spanish mackerel with a greenish back and yellow spots, a fast saltwater fish common in Mississippi coastal waters.
Spanish mackerel are fast-swimming saltwater fish with a greenish back and yellow spots, commonly found in Mississippi’s coastal waters.

Spanish Mackerel are abundant in the Mississippi Sound from early summer through mid-fall. Caught best on fast-moving, silvery lures, they form the summer staple of the charter fishery. Care should be taken when removing these toothsome critters from the hook.

Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus
Illustration of a spotted seatrout, a popular saltwater game fish with dark spots along its back, found in Mississippi coastal waters.
Spotted seatrout illustration showcasing the species' distinctive black spots and streamlined body—common in Mississippi’s coastal fisheries.

Locally called Speckled Trout, or simply “Speck,” this fish is widely sought in coastal waters Gulf-wide. Specks upwards of 5 pounds are not uncommon, but the average school trout will be around a pound or so. Trout can be caught year-round, but spring and fall are peak fishing times.

Sand Seatrout

Cynoscion arenarius
Illustration of a sand seatrout fish with pale silver body and yellow-tinted fins, common in Mississippi coastal waters.
Sand seatrout illustration showing its pale silver body and yellow-tinged fins, commonly found in Mississippi’s Gulf Coast waters.

Locally known as White Trout, this fish is typically smaller than the Speckled Trout and frequently caught inshore. They can be caught using a variety of natural baits or small artificial lures. The species is considered to be better table fare when fresh as it does not freeze as well as other species.

Black Drum

Pogonias cromis
Illustration of a black drum fish with a high-arched back and dark vertical stripes, native to Mississippi's saltwater habitats.
Black drum fish illustration showing the species' signature high back and dark stripes—commonly found in Mississippi’s coastal waters.

Black Drum, commonly called Puppy Drum, are identifiable by the vertical bars similar to Sheepshead but with a barbelled lower jaw and a mouth aimed downward. The species primarily feeds on crustaceans and shellfish on the sea floor. Be aware that food quality reduces as the species grows larger and they will lose vertical bar coloration as well.

Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus
Illustration of a striped mullet fish with silver scales and dark horizontal stripes, common in Mississippi’s inshore and estuarine waters.
Illustration of a striped mullet, a silver-scaled fish found in Mississippi’s coastal waters, known for its streamlined body and dark stripes.

Both Striped and White mullet are called “Biloxi Bacon” along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as this species has historically been brined and smoked by subsistence fishermen. Mullet are typically taken using cast nets. Hook-and-line fishermen can catch these fish with very small hooks and doughball baits.

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum
Illustration of a cobia fish with dark brown upper body and white underside, commonly found in Mississippi coastal and offshore waters.
Illustration of a cobia, a popular Mississippi saltwater game fish known for its dark body, broad head, and strong fighting ability.

Alternatively called Lemonfish or Ling, the Cobia is truly a big-game species. Lemonfish up to 100 pounds are caught annually during the spring run. Lemonfish have a decided preference for congregating around buoys, anchored vessels, etc. Live Catfish or Croaker are preferred bait, though a jig or feather might also entice a big lemon into striking.

Red Snapper

Lutjanus campechanus
Illustration of a red snapper, a prized Gulf Coast saltwater fish known for its bright red color and popularity among recreational anglers.
Red snapper are a favorite among Gulf Coast anglers for their vibrant color and excellent flavor—an iconic catch in Mississippi’s saltwater fisheries.

Abundant around the offshore artificial reefs and other bottom structures, the Red Snapper is a delicacy along the Gulf Coast. These brilliantly colored fish are distinguished by their red coloration and reef-dwelling habits. Red Snapper are typically caught on heavy tackle, using natural bait. Please be aware, juveniles may resemble other species with a dark spot below the dorsal rays.

Gray Snapper

Lutjanus griseus
Illustration of a gray (mangrove) snapper with reddish-brown scales and a pointed snout, commonly found in Mississippi waters.
Gray (Mangrove) Snapper – A common Mississippi saltwater fish known for its reddish-brown hue and sharp snout, popular among inshore anglers.

Also called Mangrove Snapper, this small snapper is commonly found inshore congregating around seagrass beds, rocky areas and piers. This species is often found in mixed schools with Pinfish and Pigfish. As they grow larger, they move offshore over hard bottoms and can be caught around artificial reefs.

Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis
Atlantic tripletail fish illustration showing its rounded fins, mottled coloring, and deep body shape, common in Mississippi waters.
Atlantic tripletail illustration showing the fish’s deep body, rounded fins, and mottled brown coloring—common in Mississippi’s coastal waters.

Frequently called Blackfish, Tripletail exhibit truly unique behavior laying on their side near floating items or vertical structures. In order to catch one, present a natural bait under a cork to keep it in the strike zone. The species is among the best table fare fish in Mississippi, but is known to be migratory, arriving in spring and departing in fall.

Illustrations © 1992 and 2009, Diane Rome Peebles

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