Red snapper season closes as redfish action heats up in MS Sound

What's biting

What's next

Expect water temps to keep drifting down gradually as cold fronts begin pushing through in October, though the Sound should stay solidly in the mid-80s for at least another week given the current readings. That slow cool-down is typically when redfish activity picks up around marsh edges and oyster reefs as bait concentrates in skinnier water. MS DMR's order opening the 2026-2027 public oyster season adds another seasonal marker: reef activity and boat traffic around approved harvest areas typically increase once that season gets underway, which can stir up bait and draw in predators including redfish.

With the waning gibbous moon moving toward last quarter this week, stronger overnight tidal swings should keep redfish feeding on both the morning and evening movements; plan longer sits around structure rather than running and gunning. Weekend anglers should treat the dark-lure tip from Salt Strong as a starting point if the usual bright colors aren't producing, especially in low light around dawn and dusk.

Context

Early October sits right at the seasonal hinge for Mississippi Sound. A red snapper season closing in late September is typical for the recreational calendar here, and the Sound usually holds summer-level water temperatures into October before a real cool-down arrives later in the month. Inshore species like redfish typically become the primary target once snapper season shuts down, a pattern that holds most years regardless of the specific weather. The oyster season opening in this window is also on schedule for Mississippi's harvest calendar, though reef conditions and bag limits should always be checked against the current MS DMR order before harvesting.