Kings off Pascagoula hold in 40 to 150 ft of water, and the run is an Offshore Gautier trip toward structure south of Horn Island. King mackerel fishing out of Pascagoula comes down to matching that depth band to named reef sites you can find on the sounder. Below: the depth band, the permitted structure inside it, and who targets kings from this port. For ramps, passes and harbor notes, see the Pascagoula port page.
When Kings Are Off Pascagoula
Timing follows the movement of the species across the northern Gulf. Our king mackerel guide covers the seasonal and biological picture, and king mackerel in the Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide) covers how the fish move along the coast.
How Far and Where Boats Run
Local boats run Offshore Gautier trips and fish the 40 to 150 ft band, working the permitted reef structure inside it. If you are weighing kings against other targets on the same run, the coastal and offshore gamefish guides lay out the options.
For wind, wave height and period, use the NWS Mobile marine forecast for Pascagoula waters and decide from the numbers.
Offshore Gautier Trips
Offshore Gautier trips are where local boats run for kings. That is the operator’s framing, and it points you offshore of the barrier islands rather than to one named ground.
The 40 to 150 Foot Band
The operator gives 40 to 150 ft as the depth range for king mackerel. It is a band rather than a named ground, so it tells you where to start looking, and the structure inside it narrows the search. Fish Haven 13 sits at 85 ft, well inside it.
Grounds and Structure Near Pascagoula
The named structure near Pascagoula is small and specific:
| Ground | Depth | Relief | Location note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Haven 13 | 85 ft | about 35 ft | n/a |
| Liberty Ship hulls (2) | n/a | n/a | Permitted reef sites south of Horn Island |
| Horn Island | n/a | n/a | Orientation landmark for the permitted sites |
| MDMR permitted offshore reef sites | n/a | n/a | 15 sites, about 16,000 acres, shared with Gulfport |
Reef maps and coordinates are available from the MDMR Artificial Reef Program. To see the seabed around these sites, view them against the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
MDMR Permitted Offshore Reef Sites
Mississippi has 15 permitted offshore reef sites covering about 16,000 acres. Gulfport shares them, so expect boats from that port on the water.
Fish Haven 13
Fish Haven 13 sits in 85 ft with about 35 ft of relief off the bottom. Look for that relief on the sounder.
Liberty Ship Hulls South of Horn Island
Two former Liberty Ship hulls sit on permitted reef sites south of Horn Island. The MDMR reef maps show their positions.
Horn Island
Horn Island is the reference point for placing the hulls and orienting the run offshore.
Who Fishes Kings From This Port
Pier Pressure Charters LLC, run by Captain David Burlison, lists king mackerel. The operator runs Offshore Gautier trips and gives a king range of 40 to 150 ft of water, so it is the local reference for comparing your own plan against a working boat’s depth band.
FAQ: King Mackerel Fishing Out of Pascagoula
How deep is Fish Haven 13?
Fish Haven 13 sits in 85 ft of water, with about 35 ft of relief off the bottom. That puts it inside the 40 to 150 ft band the local operator gives for kings.
Where are the Liberty Ship reefs off Pascagoula?
Two former Liberty Ship hulls sit on permitted reef sites south of Horn Island. The MDMR Artificial Reef Program publishes the maps and coordinates for those sites.
What depth do kings hold in off Pascagoula?
The local operator range is 40 to 150 ft of water. Use it as a starting point for the search, since it doesn’t guarantee fish. Structure inside the band narrows the search.
How many permitted offshore reef sites are there?
Mississippi has 15 MDMR permitted offshore reef sites covering about 16,000 acres. Pascagoula and Gulfport boats share them.
Who runs king mackerel trips from this port?
Pier Pressure Charters LLC, run by Captain David Burlison, lists king mackerel. The operator runs Offshore Gautier trips and gives a king range of 40 to 150 ft.
