Where Pascagoula boats run for cobia
Cobia fishing out of Pascagoula means crossing the Mississippi Sound toward Horn Island and the permitted reef sites beyond it. From the port of Pascagoula, boats head south across the Sound to the barrier island edge, where muddy Sound water meets the Gulf. This page covers the structure to look at, the local calendar anchor, and where the rules live.
Gautier and Biloxi-area trips
Boats also run on Gautier and Biloxi-area trips. The Gautier side shortens the crossing for anglers staging east or west of the river mouth, and the Biloxi side reaches the same barrier island edge from the other direction. Pick the departure that fits your trailer, your tide, and your plan for the day.
Horn Island
Anglers name cobia around Horn Island, where the Sound meets the Gulf. The island edge is a place to look, not a guaranteed hold, so work it as part of a day that also covers the structure south of it.
Grounds and structure that hold cobia
Three targets give you a first run: Fish Haven 13, the 2 former Liberty Ship hulls south of Horn Island, and the wider network of MDMR permitted reef sites. None of them guarantees fish.
- Fish Haven 13: 85 ft of water, relief about 35 ft off the bottom
- Liberty Ship hulls: 2 former hulls on permitted sites south of Horn Island
- MDMR permitted offshore reefs: 15 sites, about 16,000 acres, shared with Gulfport
Fish Haven 13
Fish Haven 13 sits in 85 ft of water with relief about 35 ft off the bottom. Hard structure rising that far off the seabed shows up clearly on the plotter and the sounder, which is the main reason to put it on your list.
Liberty Ship hulls south of Horn Island
2 former Liberty Ship hulls lie on permitted reef sites south of Horn Island. The reasoning is the same as for Fish Haven 13: hard, vertical structure is worth a look. Mark both hulls and fish them on the same run.
MDMR permitted offshore reefs
The MDMR permitted offshore reef sites number 15 and cover about 16,000 acres, shared with Gulfport. Reef coordinates come from MDMR. In the app, chart layers such as Chart Contours can help you plan waypoints to the permitted sites. Chart layers are not for navigation.
When cobia are around and who fishes them
The local calendar anchor is the Pascagoula Men’s Club Fishing Rodeo, usually held in June. For the broader seasonal picture, read about cobia across the northern Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide). For migration and behavior, use the cobia fishing guide.
| Who | What they do | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-operators | Run their own boats to Horn Island and the reef sites | Structure and Horn Island sections above |
| Tournament anglers | Fish the rodeo, usually in June | Scout Fish Haven 13 and the hulls ahead of time |
| Charter clients | Book a local operator that lists cobia | Pier Pressure Charters |
Pascagoula Men’s Club Fishing Rodeo
The Pascagoula Men’s Club Fishing Rodeo is usually held in June. If you plan to fish it, scout Fish Haven 13 and the hulls south of Horn Island beforehand.
Local charters
Pier Pressure Charters lists cobia. The operator is Pier Pressure Charters LLC, run by Captain David Burlison. Other species off this coast are covered in our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
How cobia are fished here
Work the structure first, then the island edge. The vertical relief at Fish Haven 13 and the Liberty Ship hulls is the reason to fish them, and Horn Island is the edge to check on the way. For tactics, use the cobia fishing guide linked above.
Check conditions before you leave the dock. Read wind, wave height, and period on the NWS Mobile marine forecast, and let those numbers decide whether you go.
Run order for a first trip:
- Check the forecast numbers. Wind speed, wave height, and period.
- Cross the Sound. Head south toward Horn Island.
- Fish the island edge. Give it a look on the way out.
- Work the structure. Fish Haven 13 first, then the hulls south of Horn Island.
FAQ about cobia fishing out of Pascagoula
Where do boats run from Pascagoula for cobia?
Boats cross the Mississippi Sound toward Horn Island and the permitted reef sites. They also run on Gautier and Biloxi-area trips.
How deep is Fish Haven 13?
Fish Haven 13 sits in 85 ft of water. Its relief is about 35 ft off the bottom.
Are there wrecks near Horn Island?
2 former Liberty Ship hulls lie on permitted reef sites south of Horn Island. They are part of the MDMR permitted offshore reef sites, which number 15 and cover about 16,000 acres, shared with Gulfport.
When is the Pascagoula rodeo?
The Pascagoula Men’s Club Fishing Rodeo is usually held in June.
Who runs cobia charters from Pascagoula?
Pier Pressure Charters LLC, with Captain David Burlison, lists cobia.
