When cobia are off Gulfport
Cobia pass Gulfport twice a year, on a spring migration and a fall migration. For the route and timing across the region, see the wider Gulf migration (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide). Other coastal and offshore species are covered in our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
| Window | What the port shows |
|---|---|
| Spring migration | One of the 2 windows off Gulfport |
| Fall migration | The second window, with cobia listed in October bites by local charters |
Spring run
The spring migration is the first of the 2 windows off Gulfport.
Fall run
The fall migration is the second window. Two local charters list cobia among their October bites.
Where Gulfport boats run for cobia
From Gulfport, the nearest named ground is Cat Island, about 8 miles out. Past it, the state reef program and a few named offshore marks give you places to start. Reef sites can be checked against Chart Contours in the app, though chart layers are not for navigation.
The grounds, nearest first:
- Cat Island. About 8 miles from the harbor.
- MDMR reef sites. 15 permitted sites north of the barrier islands.
- Fish Haven 9/11. A retired shrimp boat sunk as a reef.
- Offshore names. DeSoto Canyon, Mississippi Canyon, The Nipple, The Elbow and The Spur.
Cat Island
Cat Island sits about 8 miles from Gulfport.
MDMR reef sites
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) permits 15 offshore reef sites, about 16,000 acres in total. The sites north of the barrier islands are concrete rubble.
Fish Haven 9/11
Fish Haven 9/11 is a retired shrimp boat sunk as a reef off the Mississippi coast in July 2026, reported from Ship Island.
Offshore names
Local anglers talk about DeSoto Canyon, Mississippi Canyon, The Nipple, The Elbow and The Spur.
Conditions data
There is no active NDBC buoy near Gulfport and no Gulfport tide station. Use the National Weather Service marine forecast for your area, and read wind, wave height and period as numbers to make your own call.
How cobia are fished out of Gulfport
Three Gulfport operations list cobia:
- Captain Ron’s Charters in Gulfport: Captain Ron Harmon. Boat: Lucky Enough, a rebuilt 1978 40 ft Chris-Craft.
- Dailey Charters: Captain Chris Allenbaugh. Boat: a 30 ft Island Hopper carrying 6 passengers.
- Dock Slammer Fishing Charters: Captain Hunter Veal. Boat: a 30 ft Island Hopper built in 1990, carrying 6 passengers.
On your own boat
Tactics, baits and biology are in our cobia fishing guide.
FAQ: cobia fishing out of Gulfport
When do cobia run off Gulfport?
There are 2 windows: the spring migration and the fall migration. Two local charters list cobia among their October bites.
How far is Cat Island from Gulfport?
About 8 miles. The MDMR reef sites north of the barrier islands are concrete rubble.
What is Fish Haven 9/11?
A retired shrimp boat sunk as a reef off the Mississippi coast in July 2026, reported from Ship Island.
Is there a buoy or tide station near Gulfport?
There is no active NDBC buoy and no Gulfport tide station. Use the National Weather Service marine forecast and read wind, wave height and period as numbers.
Which Gulfport charters target cobia?
Captain Ron’s Charters (Captain Ron Harmon), Dailey Charters (Captain Chris Allenbaugh) and Dock Slammer Fishing Charters (Captain Hunter Veal). Two of them run 30 ft Island Hoppers carrying 6 passengers.
