Shore Thing Fishing Report, 2/18/26

February 18, 2026

The lack of rain and the unseasonably warm weather are making conditions ideal for local anglers.

​- by Sonny Schindler, Shore Thing Fishing Charters

Redfish like this one, caught south of Pass Christian, have been plentiful.

We hope everyone had a very safe and fun-filled Mardi Gras. We had boats running before, during, and after the parade rolled, and from the looks of it, everyone had fun on land and sea.
 
The weather and fishing have been just incredible for February. Even though I am an optimist, the fronts, rains, and wind will likely visit us sooner or later. For now, we’re just taking advantage of the near-perfect weather and great fishing.
 

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There are still some speckled trout around in this cooler water. This one was caught in Lake Borgne.

 
The live bait has been a little hard to come by, but if you are lucky enough to find it, those frisky live shrimp have made all the difference. The sheepshead and the puppy drum along the nearshore reefs, structures, and bridges have been keeping us very busy. Occasionally, you will find big black drum and bull reds mixed in with them.
 
The water temperature in the Louisiana marsh has been in the mid- to high-50s, which has kept the speckled trout around. We are not seeing huge numbers of them, but there is plenty of action and enough keepers to feed the family. Redfish has been the targeted species most days.
 

Les Lewis from Waveland after a great day in the Louisiana Marsh south of Bayou Caddy.

 
The exceptionally clean water has made for some very fun sight-fishing on sunny days. However, the fish get a little skittish in this beautiful clean water. Being extra quiet in the boat helps, so avoid slamming lids and stomping around. Longer casts certainly help to try and fool the reds before they spook.
 

Taking a break from fishing, Stephanie Schindler and local celebrity Jerry West enjoying the Mystic Krewe of Seahorse parade in downtown Bay St. Louis.

 
If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to start getting your boat ready for spring. Every year the repair shops are slammed in March and April when that first spell of 70- to 80-degree weather hits us. Now is the time to address any major issues, while wait times are short and you have plenty of time.
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