Last Updated on December 4, 2025 by Eric Bonneman
Cold fronts roll in, tides shift, and the marsh takes on that bare, open look that only winter brings to Gulfport, MS. If you spend your time fishing this part of the Gulf, you already know the season doesn’t shut anything down. It just rearranges the fish, and opens up the water in ways you don’t get during the warmer months.
The marsh grass settles lower, the water clears up between fronts, and visibility improves. Boat traffic drops off too, which means long stretches of undisturbed flats and edges. It’s a calmer version of the same fishery—still busy beneath the surface, just quieter above it.
Once December settles in, Gulfport fishing charters really start to change. The bait shifts deeper, certain species spread out while others group up, and the whole marsh system tilts toward the fish that handle cold water well. Three months of steady action follow—different than spring or fall, but every bit as productive.
What Bites Through Mid-Winter
Redfish anchor the entire season.
Everything else moves around them, but reds stay consistent from the first December cold snap all the way through February. Water temperatures in the 50s push them into tight groups. Schools of 20, 30, 40 reds aren’t unusual, and they’ll move along the same predictable edges: bayous with deep pockets, marsh drains, and any area where mud retains warmth after a sunny afternoon.
The larger females stick close to deeper structure—passes, channel edges, and the bigger cuts that sit between the marsh systems. Even after their fall cycle wraps up, they hold in these areas for most of the winter. These fish hit hard, and once you’re dialed in on depth, they’re surprisingly reliable.
Slot reds roam the shallows. The cold slows the bait down, which means shrimp, small crabs, and mud minnows become easy targets. A lure with some vibration or a soft-plastic that stays low to the bottom plays well with how reds feed this time of year—they track movement differently in cold water, so sound and vibration turn into helpful tools, not just gimmicks.
Speckled trout fade as temperatures drop, but there are windows.
Early December still holds pockets of seatrout, especially around deeper holes off the marsh edge. After that, they taper off. The fish that do stay are usually quality fish, not numbers, and they stack tight around deeper wintering spots.
Flounder settle into their usual winter routine.
The late-fall push fades, but a handful linger in predictable depressions. It’s selective fishing, not fast fishing, but the fish you do find tend to be solid.
Black drum and sheepshead show up more as the season progresses.
January and February bring some of the heaviest drum of the year—bigger, older fish that park around structure where crustaceans stay active. Sheepshead, showing up more as we get late in the season, follow the same logic: slow, steady, dependable around reefs, pilings, and any hard structure holding barnacles or crabs.
Sheepshead peak in the dead of winter along the Gulf. December through March is when the biggest concentrations gather around structure, bridges, reefs, and pilings. The photo below shows a classic early March sheepshead haul—the kind of catch that still lines up with what you might expect here in December, January, or February, since the peak run carries straight through into early March.
Pilings, docks, rock jetties, bridges, marina edges, crab-trap lines, seawalls—all of those stay loaded with them in the dead of winter, because the barnacles and crustaceans don’t go anywhere.
Where the Gulfport Fish Head in Winter
Winter shrinks the map in a good way. Fish stay closer to dependable water temperatures, so the search zone tightens. You don’t need long runs to be in the mix!
- Marsh drains and ponds – The tidal flow through these areas stays steady, and after a sunny spell, the mud bottoms hold warmth. Reds love this in December and January. Some days they’ll push right up to the back edges where the water barely covers their backs.
- Shallow mud flats – These spots heat fastest anytime the sun pops out after a front. A thin layer of warmer water on top will draw slot reds, black drum, and occasional trout.
- Nearshore reefs – When the wind cooperates, these reefs are perfect mid-winter targets. You get size, variety, and no marathon ride offshore. Black drum and sheepshead stack up here through February.
- Cuts and channels – Every cold front drops the water temperature a little more, and deeper spots become home base for the oversized females. Slow presentations and live bait shine in these areas.
Why Fishing in Gulfport is So Good in Winter
December through February gives you that sweet spot between steady action and low pressure. Daytime temps often sit in the 50s and 60s, which is comfortable as long as you’ve dressed in layers. Cold mornings, mild afternoons, and clear winter air make the landscape feel wide open.
With fewer boats moving around, the water stays calmer. Schools of reds barely spook. Drum gather on structure without getting pushed around. Sight-fishing gets cleaner because the light hits the thin winter grass differently.
Winter also tends to produce bigger individuals across the board. Reds school heavily, drum grow thick, and even stray trout in deeper pockets can be impressive. Not because winter is “easier”—it’s just more predictable once you learn how the season works.
Planning a Winter Fishing Trip
December through February is a tight window, but it’s one of the best times of the year to fish these marshes.
If you’re heading out with a guide, winter is one of the best times to lean on local knowledge. Cold fronts shuffle the deck every few days, and knowing where the water stabilizes after those fronts makes all the difference. The marsh looks simple from the outside, but winter patterns form and dissolve fast.
Dress in layers, bring something windproof, and keep your hands warm. Everything else—lures, baits, presentations—doesn’t need to be complicated. Gulfport winter fishing rewards good placement and steady technique.
Ready for Your Gulfport Fishing Charter?
When you’re set to get on the water, book a trip with the local Gulfport fishing guides at Legends of the Lower Marsh—who know the winter patterns inside and out. We serve the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast, offering inshore fishing charters for redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheephead, and more!
