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Common Finfish in Mississippi Waters

Last Updated: April 27, 2026

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus
Illustration of a red drum fish showing a copper-bronze body, silvery underside, and distinctive black spot near the tail.
Red drum illustration highlighting its bronze coloring and signature tail spot, a popular saltwater sport fish found in Mississippi coastal waters.

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 showing a flat, oval-shaped body with both eyes on one side and a mottled brown pattern for camouflage.
Southern flounder illustration highlighting its flat body and camouflaged coloring, a popular inshore species commonly found along Mississippi coastal waters.

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 with a deep, oval body, silver-gray coloring, and bold vertical black stripes along its sides.
Sheepshead illustration highlighting its distinctive black vertical stripes and stout body, a common coastal species known for feeding around structures in Mississippi waters.

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 slender, streamlined body, greenish back, silver sides, and bright yellow spots along its sides.
Spanish mackerel illustration showcasing its sleek shape and yellow-spotted pattern, a fast-swimming coastal species popular among saltwater anglers in the Gulf.

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 with a slender body, silver-gray coloring, and numerous black spots along its back and tail.
Spotted seatrout illustration highlighting its speckled pattern and streamlined shape, a popular inshore game fish found in Mississippi coastal waters.

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 with a slender, silvery body, faint yellowish tint along the back, and lightly speckled fins.
Sand seatrout illustration showing its smooth silver coloring and subtle markings, a common coastal species found in Mississippi Gulf 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 deep, rounded body, gray coloring, and prominent chin barbels.
Black drum illustration highlighting its stout body and chin barbels, a common coastal species found in Mississippi estuaries and nearshore 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 with an elongated silver body, darker back, and faint horizontal striping along its sides.
Striped mullet illustration showing its streamlined shape and subtle stripes, a common coastal fish species found in Mississippi bays and estuaries.

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 a long, dark brown body, white underside, and a distinct horizontal stripe running from head to tail.
Cobia illustration highlighting its elongated shape and bold lateral stripe, a popular sport fish found in Mississippi Gulf waters.

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 with a bright red body, spiny dorsal fin, and large eye, showing its classic deep-bodied shape.
Red snapper illustration highlighting its vibrant red color and sharp dorsal spines, a highly sought-after reef fish in Mississippi Gulf waters.

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.

Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis
Illustration of an Atlantic tripletail with a deep, rounded body, mottled brown coloring, and extended dorsal and anal fins that resemble a third tail.
Atlantic tripletail illustration highlighting its unique three-lobed appearance and mottled pattern, a distinctive coastal species found in Mississippi Gulf 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.

Gray Snapper

Lutjanus griseus
Illustration of a gray snapper (mangrove snapper) with a streamlined body, grayish-bronze coloring, and reddish fins.
Gray snapper (mangrove snapper) illustration highlighting its subtle bronze tones and fin coloration, a common reef and inshore species found in Mississippi coastal waters.

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.


Illustrations © 1992, Diane Rome Peebles

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