Get Outside to Enjoy the Natural Abundance of Mississippi
The Gulf Coast has always provided outstanding fishing prospects. When Europeans first sailed into the Gulf about 500 years ago, they marveled at the abundance and variety of fish they encountered.
This year we celebrate National Fishing Month, actually for more than a month—from July 24 through August 30. During this month, get out to enjoy nature and do a little fishing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Fishing has long been part of Coastal Mississippi’s culture and way of life, and National Fishing Month is the perfect opportunity for friends and families to experience everything our waters have to offer,” says Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. “Whether it’s booking a family’s first charter, chasing a bucket-list catch, or spending the day exploring our 62 miles of shoreline, Coastal Mississippi offers unforgettable experiences on the water and memories that will last long after the trip is over.”
Coastal Mississippi offers varied fishing opportunities. Anglers can wade the beaches, fish the rivers or Mississippi Sound. Visit one of the barrier islands for a family adventure or head farther offshore into the Gulf.
Off the Mississippi Coast, many people like to catch red snapper during the summer, but anglers can catch more snapper species. The catch might also include vermilion snapper, also called beeliners, mangrove or gray snapper, lane snapper and other snapper species.
“Mangrove snapper stay higher in the water column,” advises James McCanless with Aquiline Custom Charters who runs out of Biloxi. “For mangroves, we put out a flatline baited with live shrimp. We use no weight or maybe a small split-shot. We use small hooks. If we hide the hook, we have a better chance of catching mangroves.”
Depending upon the depth and location, anglers might also catch amberjack, several grouper varieties, triggerfish, spadefish or other species. Cobia, tripletail and mahi like to hang around any floating objects, such as grass mats, buoys, wood and other flotsam. In late summer, cobia frequently come closer to shore.
Try trolling with various live or artificial baits. The catch might include king or Spanish mackerel, cobia, bluefish, sharks and other species. Farther offshore, anglers might catch sailfish, marlin, tuna or wahoo.
People in smaller boats, or wading the beaches, could catch, trout, redfish, whiting, black drum and other fish. Around numerous artificial reefs, people catch sheepshead, one of the most powerful fighting fish in inshore waters.
Mississippi anglers can also fish the marshes around the Pearl River Delta, Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Back Bay or the Pascagoula River and other places. In the marshes, anglers usually catch redfish, flounder, trout and drum. Where fresh and salty waters mix, anglers might catch largemouth bass and redfish with the same baits.
In the Pearl, Jourdan, Wolf, Tchoutacabouffa, Biloxi and Pascagoula River systems, plus numerous bayous and other waters, freshwater anglers might catch bass, three catfish species, two crappie species and numerous bream species among other fish.
Everywhere, South Mississippi offers outstanding fishing diversity. Don’t have a boat or know how to fish? Many guides will gladly take you to the best places. Most supply all the equipment and bait. Some even clean the catch.
During this National Fishing Month, take an opportunity to get out, try fishing and experience nature in the great outdoors of South Mississippi.
