Fishing for Redfish in the Bayous of Gautier, Ms

This Redfish, you know is not actually "red". They are Bronze colored, have big scales, and each usually has one or more black spots near its tail. The spot is not all the Redfish is known for. Their jaws are strong enough to open oysters, so watch your fingers!!

The west river in Gautier (pronounced go-shay), Mississippi provides some of the best Reds fishing known to man. Follow the river north if the salt is high, go south if it's low. Just watch the shoreline around the bayous during moving tides and you will see them attack their prey with swirls all-mighty. Cast a medium action with good quality fifteen or better pound test line, a "popping cork" (has small plastic beads that rattle above and below the cork on a metal stick), a small split shot and a 1/0 gold hook through the head of a live shrimp. Let that cork and shrimp just drift along the edge of the bank ....look and listen...Watch for the shrimp to jump out of the water, or the "!! Smack !!" sound of the beads on your cork to signal the bite. One way or the other, hold on to your reel, let the fish have "some" drag, keep him out from under the boat, around the anchor, around the trolling motor or the outboard motor (whatever applies) and keep your line TIGHT. Should you be fortunate enough to hook a 30" or better, it should take you at least 30 minutes to land it. And by the way, Fish and Wildlife says only one Redfish above 30" should be in your boat per person per day. Now, get out there and go find the Redfish Bite!!