When sailfish are around Biloxi
Sailfish fishing out of Biloxi centers on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, usually held in June. Boats run offshore for sailfish, past the inshore marks covered below. For ramps, passes and port logistics, see the Biloxi port page.
Water temperature and sailfish biology are covered in the sailfish species guide. This page covers the grounds, the methods and the people.
- Event anchor: the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic
- Run type: offshore
- Inshore marks: cobia and inshore stops on the way out
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
Biloxi sailfish trips run offshore, past the inshore reefs and barrier-island grounds. The marks below are listed in the order you meet them on the run. For the regional picture beyond the Biloxi grounds, see the Gulf of Mexico sailfish guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
| Mark | Depth or distance | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wrecks, Ship Island and Camille Cut tanks and barges | About 15 to 20 miles offshore | Off Ship Island and Camille Cut |
| MDMR offshore reef sites | 15 permitted sites | Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership |
| Horseshoe rigs and salt domes | 300 to 400 ft | South of the Mississippi River mouth |
| Ram Powell rig | Oil rig | Off Louisiana |
Inshore marks on the way
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. All of these are cobia and inshore marks on the way out, and none is a sailfish ground.
Ship Island and Camille Cut
About 15 to 20 miles offshore, wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges mark the middle of the run.
MDMR offshore reef sites
Fifteen permitted sites make up the MDMR offshore reef program, a Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership.
Offshore ledge
Local lists name the offshore ledge as another offshore mark.
Horseshoe rigs and salt domes
The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes sit in 300 to 400 ft of water south of the Mississippi River mouth. A rig is a platform standing on the bottom, and a salt dome is a raised mound on the seafloor.
Ram Powell rig
Ram Powell is an oil rig off Louisiana.
Reading conditions at buoy 42040
NOAA NDBC station 42040 was re-established about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position, so its readings describe that spot and not the water at every ground on your route.
A buoy reading is an observation, and a forecast is a separate thing. Before leaving the dock, check the official NWS marine forecast for the run, then look at wind, wave height and period.
How sailfish are fished out of Biloxi
Local sailfish methods out of Biloxi are heavy-tackle trolling, jigging and kites. Each is attributed below to the source that reports it.
Heavy-tackle trolling
Aquiline Custom Charters fishes heavy-tackle trolling in deeper water, covering ground between marks.
Jigging
Aquiline also jigs in deeper water, as part of the same offshore approach.
Kite fishing
Trustedfish reports kites used for sailfish. A kite holds a bait at the surface, away from the boat.
Who fishes for sailfish out of Biloxi
One local charter lists sailfish, and one tournament anchors the billfish calendar. Other billfish species are covered in the billfish guides.
- Charter: Aquiline Custom Charters, Captain James
- Methods listed: heavy-tackle trolling and jigging
- Tournament: Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, usually held in June
Aquiline Custom Charters
Captain James runs Aquiline Custom Charters, which lists sailfish. The Aquiline Custom Charters fishing reports describe how the boat fishes heavy-tackle trolling and jigging.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is usually held in June.
FAQ about sailfish fishing out of Biloxi
When is the main billfish event?
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is usually held in June.
How deep are the Horseshoe rigs?
They sit at 300 to 400 ft, south of the Mississippi River mouth, together with the salt domes.
How far out are the Ship Island and Camille Cut wrecks?
They are about 15 to 20 miles offshore.
Which buoy should I watch?
Watch NDBC station 42040, about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. Check the official NWS marine forecast before you run.
What methods are used locally?
Sailfish fishing out of Biloxi uses heavy-tackle trolling, jigging and kites.
Where are the rules?
MDMR sets the rules for state waters. The federal billfish rules apply to the offshore grounds.
