When kings are off Biloxi
Kings run in summer and fall off Biloxi, and cobia overlap on the same islands in spring.
Summer and fall
Fish-On Charters puts the king season in summer and fall. The fish follow bait and structure, so where the bait and hard bottom are matters more than the calendar date. The species guide has the details of the migration.
Cobia overlap in spring
Cobia work the Cat Island and Horn Island grounds in late April and early May. Boats troll those same barrier islands for kings later in the year, so a spring cobia trip is time spent learning water you will fish again. For other targets, see the other coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Where Biloxi boats run for kings
Start with the islands, then step out to the wrecks and rigs. Check the buoy before you commit to a distance.
Barrier islands
The local pattern is trolling around the barrier islands: Ship Island, Horn Island and Cat Island. If you already know the Sound, this is the first step. Horn Island Bar is a short boat trip from Biloxi, and the grounds section below covers it.
12 to 25 miles to wrecks and rigs
SYL Charters runs 12 to 25 miles out for kings and fishes wrecks and oil rigs. The wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore, inside that band.
Some structure is farther. The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes lie south of the Mississippi River mouth, and the Ram Powell rig is off Louisiana. Both are well beyond the 12 to 25 mile band, so plan fuel for a long run. The Gulf picture (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide) covers the water toward Louisiana.
Reading conditions: buoy 42040
The NDBC page says station 42040 was re-established about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. That limits what the data tells you: the buoy reads water well offshore of the Sound, not the barrier islands or the passes.
Pair it with the official NWS marine forecast, and read the wind and sea numbers for the run you plan rather than only the buoy’s position.
Grounds and structure that hold kings
The grounds run from the islands out to deep structure. The table goes from near to far.
| Ground | Type | Given detail |
|---|---|---|
| Horn Island Bar | Bar | South side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi |
| Katrina Reef | Reef | Inshore, Biloxi area |
| Cat Island and Horn Island grounds | Barrier islands | Cobia in late April and early May |
| Wrecks around Ship Island | 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 (Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership) | Reef sites | 15 permitted sites |
| Ram Powell rig | Oil rig | Off Louisiana |
| Horseshoe rigs and salt domes | Rigs and salt domes | 300 to 400 ft, south of the Mississippi River mouth |
Inshore and the islands
Horn Island Bar sits on the south side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi. Katrina Reef is inshore in the Biloxi area. The Cat Island and Horn Island grounds complete the near water, and these are the grounds you troll around the islands.
15 to 20 miles out
The wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore. The 15 permitted MDMR offshore reef sites in the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership add more bottom to look at. This band falls inside the 12 to 25 miles SYL gives.
Far structure
The Ram Powell rig is an oil rig off Louisiana. The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes lie in 300 to 400 ft south of the Mississippi River mouth. Both are a long run. There is also an offshore ledge.
The 300 to 400 ft depths show on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How kings are fished here and who fishes them
Trolling
Trolling is the local method, used around the barrier islands and over the wrecks and rigs. The species guide carries the tackle and bait detail.
Local charters
The charter fleet’s focus on wrecks and rigs shows private boaters where the local boats go. These four charters list king mackerel:
- Fish-On Charters: Capt. Kenny, 38-foot Bellcraft catamaran, based at Point Cadet Marina, Pier F.
- Biloxi Bluewater Charters: Captain Jerry McClure, the Gunslinger, twin Cat 375 hp, 6 guests. See the Biloxi Bluewater Charters species page.
- Aquiline Custom Charters: Captain James.
- SYL Charters (Spray Ya Later): Captain C-Bo and his son, 31 to 32-foot Bertram sportfisher, runs 12 to 25 miles to wrecks and oil rigs. See the SYL king mackerel charter page.
FAQ: king mackerel out of Biloxi
When are kings off Biloxi?
Summer and fall, per Fish-On Charters. Spring brings cobia to the Cat Island and Horn Island grounds in late April and early May. King mackerel fishing out of Biloxi centers on the barrier islands and the offshore structure past them.
How far do Biloxi boats run for kings?
Boats troll around the barrier islands, and SYL Charters runs 12 to 25 miles to wrecks and oil rigs. The Ship Island wrecks and the Camille Cut tanks and barges are about 15 to 20 miles out. The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes are a long run south of the river mouth.
What is the nearest buoy for Biloxi?
NDBC station 42040, re-established about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. It reads water well offshore of the Sound, not the barrier islands or the passes. Pair it with the NWS marine forecast for your run.
Where can I fish kings without running far offshore?
Horn Island Bar, on the south side of Horn Island, is a short boat trip from Biloxi. Katrina Reef sits inshore in the Biloxi area. You can also troll around Ship, Horn and Cat Islands.
Which Biloxi king mackerel charters are there?
Fish-On Charters (Capt. Kenny, Point Cadet Marina, Pier F), Biloxi Bluewater Charters (Captain Jerry McClure, the Gunslinger), Aquiline Custom Charters (Captain James) and SYL Charters (Captain C-Bo and his son).
Where are the king mackerel rules for Biloxi?
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources sets the state rules, and federal rules apply past state waters. Check both agencies before you fish. This page states no figures.
