Red snapper fishing out of Biloxi means running past the Mississippi barrier islands to artificial reefs, wrecks and oil rigs, with local trips typically falling in June and July. This guide covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, the grounds and structure that hold snapper, how snapper are fished locally and who fishes these waters. It is written for anglers running their own boat. Ship Island, Horn Island and Cat Island shape the route, and state waters end 9 nautical miles south of the islands. For the whole coast, see the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
When red snapper are around Biloxi
Fish-On says its snapper trips are typically June and July, so that is the window to plan around.
Spring has its own barrier-island fishery. Cobia work the Cat Island and Horn Island grounds in late April and early May, ahead of the snapper trips. That pattern belongs to cobia and doesn’t apply to snapper.
For the species itself, see our guide to red snapper in the Gulf.
| Fishery | Where | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Red snapper | Reefs, wrecks and rigs past the barrier islands | Typically June and July (Fish-On) |
| Cobia | Cat Island and Horn Island grounds | Late April and early May |
How far boats run from Biloxi
Fish-On says boats run past the barrier islands to artificial reefs. SYL lists wrecks and oil rigs off Biloxi. The Biloxi port page has the passes, ramps and local conditions notes for getting out.
The Mississippi DMR places state waters 9 nautical miles south of the barrier islands. For-hire boats with state permits fish inside that line.
The runs fall into three tiers:
- Barrier-island structure. Horn Island Bar is a short boat trip from Biloxi.
- 15 to 20 miles out. The wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore.
- Long range. The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes south of the Mississippi River mouth, and the Ram Powell rig off Louisiana.
Check buoy 42040 before the run
NDBC notes that station 42040 was re-established about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. Its readings describe water far offshore of the barrier islands, not the passes or Mississippi Sound.
Read wind, wave height and dominant period at 42040 alongside the official marine forecast, then compare both with what you expect in the Sound and at the pass.
Grounds and structure off Biloxi
Biloxi snapper structure falls into four groups: barrier-island structure, MDMR reef sites, wrecks and tanks 15 to 20 miles out, and deep long-range rigs. Chart layers such as Chart Contours help you locate structure but are not for navigation.
| Ground | Location note | Depth or distance |
|---|---|---|
| Katrina Reef | Inshore, Biloxi area | – |
| Horn Island Bar | South side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi | – |
| Cat Island and Horn Island cobia grounds | Barrier islands, cobia in late April and early May | – |
| MDMR offshore reef sites | Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership, 15 permitted sites | – |
| Ship Island wrecks, Camille Cut tanks and barges | Offshore | About 15 to 20 miles |
| Horseshoe rigs and salt domes | South of the Mississippi River mouth | 300 to 400 ft |
| Ram Powell rig | Oil rig off Louisiana | – |
| Offshore ledge | – | – |
Barrier-island structure
Katrina Reef sits inshore in the Biloxi area. Horn Island Bar lies on the south side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi. The Cat Island and Horn Island grounds hold cobia in late April and early May.
MDMR offshore reef sites
The Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership covers 15 permitted offshore reef sites. These are the artificial reefs Fish-On describes boats running to past the islands.
Wrecks, tanks and barges
The wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore. SYL lists wrecks and oil rigs off Biloxi.
Deep and long-range structure
The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes sit in 300 to 400 ft south of the Mississippi River mouth. The Ram Powell rig is an oil rig off Louisiana. The offshore ledge is another named mark on the list.
How red snapper are fished here
Bottom fishing is the base method over reefs, wrecks and rigs. Biloxi Bluewater also lists jigging, trolling, kite and drift fishing on its snapper trips.
For general technique on reef fish, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them out of Biloxi
These Biloxi charters list red snapper.
Fish-On Charters
- Fish-On Charters at Point Cadet is run by Capt. Kenny
- 38-foot Bellcraft catamaran
- Based at Point Cadet Marina, Pier F
Biloxi Bluewater Charters
- Biloxi Bluewater Charters snapper trips are run by Captain Jerry McClure
- Boat: Gunslinger, twin Cat 375 hp, 6 guests
Aquiline Custom Charters
- Aquiline Custom Charters red snapper is run by Captain James
SYL Charters (Spray Ya Later)
- SYL Charters wreck and rig trips are run by Captain C-Bo and his son
- 31 to 32-foot Bertram sportfisher
FAQ: red snapper fishing out of Biloxi
When do Biloxi boats fish red snapper?
Fish-On says its trips are typically June and July. Cobia work the Cat Island and Horn Island grounds in late April and early May, before the snapper trips. Check the Mississippi regulations page for the season before you fish.
How far do boats run for red snapper from Biloxi?
Boats run past the barrier islands. The Ship Island wrecks and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore. Longer runs reach the Horseshoe rigs and the Ram Powell rig off Louisiana. Check buoy 42040 and the official forecast first.
Where do Mississippi state waters end?
The DMR places state waters 9 nautical miles south of the barrier islands. For-hire boats with state permits fish inside that line. Check the state and federal rules before you fish, because they differ across it.
What structure holds snapper off Biloxi?
The MDMR has 15 permitted reef sites through the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership. Beyond those are the Ship Island wrecks, the Camille Cut tanks and barges, and the wrecks and oil rigs SYL lists. Katrina Reef and Horn Island Bar sit close in. The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes lie in 300 to 400 ft.
Which charters list red snapper out of Biloxi?
Fish-On Charters (Capt. Kenny, Point Cadet Marina), Biloxi Bluewater Charters (Captain Jerry McClure), Aquiline Custom Charters (Captain James) and SYL Charters (Captain C-Bo and his son) all list red snapper.
