Gag grouper fishing out of Biloxi comes down to structure: barrier-island grounds, wrecks and barges about 15 to 20 miles out, permitted reef sites, and rigs farther south. This guide covers when gag grouper are around, where boats run, how locals fish them, and who targets them from this port. It gives names, distances and depths to plot. The weather call stays with you and the official forecast. For the whole coast, see the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
When gag grouper are around Biloxi
Local sources disagree on timing, and both windows are reported for gag grouper season in Mississippi. For open dates, see MDMR through the Regulations section below.
What local operators say
Biloxi Bluewater’s species notes put gag here from fall through early spring. That comes from a captain who fishes the port.
The June to December listing
Trustedfish lists the gag season as June to December. That window may be out of date and may not match how the fishery runs. An open season and a fish’s presence are different things, and MDMR sets the open dates.
Where boats run and the structure that holds gag
Boats run from inshore reefs and the barrier islands out to wrecks, tanks and barges about 15 to 20 miles offshore, then to the 15 MDMR permitted reef sites, the offshore ledge, and rigs off Louisiana and south of the Mississippi River mouth. For regional context on northern Gulf reef fish, start there, then work the grounds below from nearest to farthest. Gag show up on Biloxi Bluewater’s 8-hour offshore trip, and SYL lists grouper on its wreck and rig trips. Gag in this guide are tied to the 60 to 250 ft range.
| Ground | Type | Distance or depth |
|---|---|---|
| Katrina Reef | Reef, inshore Biloxi area | |
| Horn Island Bar | South side of Horn Island | Short boat trip from Biloxi |
| Cat Island and Horn Island grounds | Barrier islands | |
| Ship Island wrecks | Wrecks | About 15 to 20 miles offshore |
| Camille Cut tanks and barges | Tanks and barges | About 15 to 20 miles offshore |
| MDMR offshore reef sites | 15 permitted sites, Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks | |
| Offshore ledge | Ledge | |
| Horseshoe rigs and salt domes | Rigs and salt domes, south of the Mississippi River mouth | 300 to 400 ft |
| Ram Powell | Oil rig off Louisiana |
Inshore and barrier islands
Katrina Reef sits inshore, in the Biloxi area. Horn Island Bar is on the south side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi. Cat Island and Horn Island are barrier-island grounds that also hold cobia in late April and early May, so spring trips can overlap with that run.
Wrecks, tanks and barges at 15 to 20 miles
The wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore. They are the first hard structure past the islands and the nearest ground in this guide that holds gag.
MDMR offshore reef sites
There are 15 permitted sites under the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership with MDMR. Chart Contours shows the depth around each site. Chart layers are not for navigation.
The offshore ledge
The offshore ledge is another named stop on the run out.
Rigs and salt domes
The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes sit south of the Mississippi River mouth at 300 to 400 ft, deeper than the 60 to 250 ft gag range. Ram Powell is an oil rig off Louisiana.
Reading the open Gulf at buoy 42040
NDBC station 42040 was re-established about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. It reads the open Gulf, not the inshore reefs. Check wind, wave height and period at 42040 before committing to a rig or deep run, and read them against the official marine forecast.
How gag are fished out of Biloxi
Locally, gag are fished on the bottom with live bait or large jigs near structure, at about 60 to 250 ft.
Live bait on the bottom
Fish live bait on the bottom and keep it tight to the wrecks, barges, reef sites and rigs listed above.
Large jigs
Large jigs worked near the same structure are the other local method.
Depth
Gag hold at about 60 to 250 ft, per the LSU Sea Grant gag profile. The Horseshoe rigs at 300 to 400 ft sit deeper than that range.
Who fishes for gag out of Biloxi
Biloxi Bluewater Charters lists gag on its 8-hour offshore trip, and SYL lists grouper on its wreck and oil rig trips.
Biloxi Bluewater Charters
Captain Jerry McClure runs Gunslinger, which has twin Cat 375 hp engines and room for 6 guests. Gag are a listed catch on the 8-hour offshore trip. See Biloxi Bluewater Charters’ offshore trips for the operator’s own listing.
SYL
SYL lists grouper on its wreck and oil rig trips. See SYL’s wreck and rig trips for the operator’s page.
FAQ: gag grouper fishing out of Biloxi
When is gag grouper season out of Biloxi?
Biloxi Bluewater says fall through early spring. An older Trustedfish listing gives June to December, which may be out of date. MDMR sets open dates.
How far do boats run from Biloxi for grouper?
- Inshore reefs and the barrier islands come first.
- The Ship Island wrecks and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles out.
- Rig runs reach south of the Mississippi River mouth and Ram Powell off Louisiana.
What depth do gag hold at near Biloxi?
About 60 to 250 ft. The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes sit at 300 to 400 ft.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC station 42040, about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. It reads the open Gulf, not the inshore reefs. Pair it with the official forecast.
Do Biloxi charters target gag?
Yes. Biloxi Bluewater Charters, aboard Gunslinger with Captain Jerry McClure, lists gag on its 8-hour offshore trip. SYL lists grouper on its wreck and oil rig trips.
Where do I find Mississippi gag rules?
On MDMR’s Mississippi regulations page. Federal rules also apply on rig and deep runs.
