Captain
Mark Mcdonald

Member since June 2018 Gulfport, United States
Background
Growing up less than a block away from the shoreline in Pass Christain, Mississippi had its perks! As a child, I learned to Flounder and wade fish the beachfront as a hobby and found it's a way to provide excellent table fare. As I grew so did my obsession with the sport. Logging my trips for moon phases, tidal movements, barometric pressure, and weather conditions correlated to fish activity began before I was old enough to drive. If I wasn't walking to the beach after school to wade fish next to the longest private pier on the Coast, I was getting dropped off at the harbor to fish from the rockpile and seawall for hours. Then came the boat. Since then, I have logged countless hours on the water and still feel like a kid every time I leave the dock. The stakes are higher now and the passion is flourishing more than ever. I aim to bring the joy I get from chasing fish to everyone who gets on board with me. I want to share my knowledge with customers and to learn from them as well.
Techniques
I consider myself an inshore angler. I prefer fishing with light tackle outfits. Rods and reels spooled with 10 to 20lb test line tipped with the appropriate leader strength and length to handle fish upwards of sixty pounds. I fish a variety of artificial lures including jigs and surface walkers in the shallows during the spring and fall when water temperatures are cool. I fish with live shrimp, croakers, mullet, menhaden, and crabs in deeper water and around structure in the heat of the summer. All of the methods mentioned are productive year-round with slight variations in technique, presentation, and location.

Hey, I'm Captain Mark Mcdonald

Gulfport, United States
Background
Growing up less than a block away from the shoreline in Pass Christain, Mississippi had its perks! As a child, I learned to Flounder and wade fish the beachfront as a hobby and found it's a way to provide excellent table fare. As I grew so did my obsession with the sport. Logging my trips for moon phases, tidal movements, barometric pressure, and weather conditions correlated to fish activity began before I was old enough to drive. If I wasn't walking to the beach after school to wade fish next to the longest private pier on the Coast, I was getting dropped off at the harbor to fish from the rockpile and seawall for hours. Then came the boat. Since then, I have logged countless hours on the water and still feel like a kid every time I leave the dock. The stakes are higher now and the passion is flourishing more than ever. I aim to bring the joy I get from chasing fish to everyone who gets on board with me. I want to share my knowledge with customers and to learn from them as well.
Techniques
I consider myself an inshore angler. I prefer fishing with light tackle outfits. Rods and reels spooled with 10 to 20lb test line tipped with the appropriate leader strength and length to handle fish upwards of sixty pounds. I fish a variety of artificial lures including jigs and surface walkers in the shallows during the spring and fall when water temperatures are cool. I fish with live shrimp, croakers, mullet, menhaden, and crabs in deeper water and around structure in the heat of the summer. All of the methods mentioned are productive year-round with slight variations in technique, presentation, and location.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(17 reviews)
Gulfport
trips from US $450

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 17 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (28)
Half day with Mark
Half day with Mark
Half day trip with Captain  Mark
+25
Angler rating
13
3
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
88%
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Showing:
5 of 17 reviews
Verna C.
Pittsburg, OK
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Mike

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Inshore (PM) on June 29, 2023
A fishing excursion was really the one thing my grandson and his friend wanted out of our visit to Gulfport. Captain Mike did...
Verna C. recommends Ambush Fishing Charters, LLC
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Verna C. recommends Ambush Fishing Charters, LLC
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Ryan S.
Litchfield, IL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Just one word!!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Inshore (AM) on September 3, 2022
Awesome! Look, if you are looking for a guide that will certainly go out of his way to ensure you the best experience...
Ryan S. recommends Ambush Fishing Charters, LLC
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Ray R.
Metairie, Louisiana
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Mark

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Inshore (PM) on January 15, 2023
First time fishing on a boat for the wife. She had so much fun! Mark had us on fish in minutes! Cold January day but worth...
Ray R. recommends Ambush Fishing Charters, LLC
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Jeff P.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   May 27, 2023
The charter operator canceled 2 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Melanie T. J.
Memphis, TN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Mark

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Inshore (PM) on October 30, 2022
Captain Mark is the best. My husband wanted a unique fishing experience for his birthday and Captain Mark delivered.ย  We...
Melanie T. J. recommends Ambush Fishing Charters, LLC
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