Biloxi

The city of Biloxi lies at the heart of the so-called ‘fertile fisheries crescent’. This basically means that local charters have access to one of the best fishing areas in the entire Gulf. You’ll find scores of fish in the water, witness stunning wildlife, and fish the city’s numerous sounds, buoys, lakes and rivers. Along with piers and bridges where fish swarm, this makes Biloxi a heaven for pro-fishermen and hobbyists.

Maybe you know Biloxi as home to casinos, beaches, and John Grisham novels. But, it’s the area’s fishing that’s really something special. Year round angling action takes place on inshore and offshore waters. To get the most out of it, hire one of the charters, and soon you’ll be enjoying the Mississippi's Gulf Coast waters.

Biloxi’s revamped waterfront area facing the mainland is only part of the deal. Offshore fishing charters are as equally as superb. Head out to the Small Craft Harbour and board one of the boats bound for barrier islands and oil rigs. On 10- and 12-hour trips, you will reach shipwrecks and target Cobia, Red Snapper, Grouper, King Mackerel and Sharks. Shorter trips can yield Spanish and King Mackerel, Bonito, and Jack Crevalle.

Thriving offshore sport fishing in Biloxi can’t be easily matched. Yellowfin Tuna and Marlins come close to the rigs, and rig hopping can produce amazing results. The best option is to hire a charter that offers longer trips. Anything from 12+ hours, or even better, multiday trips, should help you get hold of that long bill!

Recreational anglers don’t need to bring a license, if the charter captain possess it.

Charter operators fishing south of Highway 90 need to have a saltwater fishing license. From there and up to Interstate 10, they can have either a saltwater or freshwater license, and further up north, they’ll need a freshwater license.

All anglers who go fishing for Snappers, Groupers, Triggerfish, and Amberjacks, need to have and use non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural baits.

Biloxi is one big water playground. You can try trolling, bottom fishing, light or heavy tackle, jigging, and more.

Use heavy tackle for Red Snapper. These coveted red beauties live down under, and love hanging around underwater structures. You can catch them only in deeper, federal water, when the fish are in season. They will go for cut fish, so make sure to have these onboard as your bait. Artificial reefs is the place where Red, Mangrove and Vermillion Snapper go to, so set your GPS right.

Inshore, you can get plenty of Redfish when using blue crabs and gold spoons. Specks can be caught year-round, but peak in spring and fall. Hire a Biloxi charter, and test your skills!

When fishing for Kings, trolling is a great method. As they move around the Gulf, you can find them at various latitudes, offshore and shoal waters alike. When targeting their Spanish relatives, use fast-moving silvery lures, but watch out for those razor-sharp teeth when removing them from the hook.

Feisty, but juicy table fare, Cobia, locally called ‘lemonfish’, flock around buoys and anchored vessels. Go with catfish and white mullet as live bait, but do try a jig and see if lemonfish will go for it. Catch Great Amberjacks with a line testing 50 +lb tackle. If you’re ready for a workout, try catching them on light tackle or fly.