If you’re a seasoned angler looking for a blood-pumping action-packed fishing trip, you’ve probably heard of the excellent fishing the inner waters of the Gulf of Mexico have to offer. Deep sea fishing in Biloxi is known to be very productive, far and wide. That reputation isn’t undeserved, as the Gulf Stream passing through this area churns up the ecosystem so you have monster keepers extremely close to the coast!
Where to fish
The prestigious pelagic predators of the Gulf of Mexico frequent the waters around 90 miles offshore from Biloxi. The continental shelf starts to drop off here and the deep waters provide ample grounds for large fish to breed and grow in. Additionally, offshore oil rigs are excellent structures for smaller fish to feed and live near. This underwater oasis for smaller fish allows for a food chain that makes a trip to these rigs a worthy prospect if you’re looking for trophy catches. Dozens of rigs can be found around 100 miles directly south of Biloxi, with the famous ones (at least in fishing circles) being the “Ram Powell,’’ “Ursa,” and “Mars” to count just a few.
How to fish
Deep sea fishing greatly varies depending on the species you are targeting, so brush up on the knots and get ready to fight some serious tackle busters. Fishing the rigs is usually very productive, as you can catch bait fish then immediately rig it and fish for the real deal. Bonito and Blue Runners are ideal for this purpose. You can expect to attract Yellowfin Tuna and Blue Marlin near the rigs, as well as Red Snapper that frequent the waters below.
Trolling is the name of the game when going after Billfish. If you talk to a dozen captains on the best trolling pattern, technique, bait, or speed, you will most likely get a dozen different answers. One thing to be on the lookout for while trolling for Tuna is Mahi Mahi - these two species often swim close to each other and can be an indicator of one another. Bear in mind that while daytime trolling is for the majority of the species, Yellowfin that live around the rigs are best targeted at night.
What to bring
One of the most important things to bring with you on a serious offshore fishing trip is a fighting belt. You’ll go after Marlin, Tuna, Mako and Tiger Sharks, Wahoo, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and other large, serious predators - these big boys know how to put up a fight before you can reel them in. A belt will help you avoid back, neck, and arm injuries since fighting a trophy fish can take hours at a time.
Durable equipment is crucial when going out. Serious reels are required for reeling in the catch in the deep sea - sturdy drag systems and high endurance lines are a must, you wouldn’t want that 800 lb Blue Marlin to get away because you were under-prepared! Wire leaders are a must since Wahoo or Sharks can easily chomp through the line. You want to stick to using circle hooks when targeting Billfish, as you don’t have to set the hook when it bites, and these hooks tend to damage the fish less, allowing for a higher chance of survival for the fish if you release it.
Bait, lures, and tackle depend greatly on what you will be targeting on your trip. Live bait is fantastic for attracting a Yellowfin Tuna or Blue Marlin. A trick that can be used is attracting fish that stalk around the many shrimping boats that go around the rigs. If you sufficiently chum near a shrimping boat, you can attract the fish that are following it, giving you a better chance at that dream catch.
When to go
Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico usually reaches its peak during the summer months, from April to November, as the majority of the prestigious fish caught in the area will be migrating through here. Certain legal restrictions apply to species such as the Red Snapper and Gag Grouper (no fishing between January 1st and May 31st), and Greater Amberjack (no fishing between January 1st through June 30th) - you should always check the local regulations before booking a fishing trip.
