When red grouper are around Biloxi
Red grouper are found year-round in Biloxi waters, per Trustedfish. Fishing for them out of Biloxi means running to reefs and wrecks, and red is among the grouper species listed there. For the wider coast, see the red grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
Boats leave from the Biloxi port page side of the coast and cross Mississippi Sound before reaching structure. For biology and general technique, see the red grouper species guide.
This page lists the named structure in order of distance from the dock, so you can decide where to point the boat.
Where Biloxi boats run
The run breaks into tiers: inshore reef and barrier-island bars first, then wrecks and tanks offshore, then the deep rigs and salt domes south of the Mississippi River mouth.
| Ground | Structure | Location note | Depth or distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katrina Reef | Reef | Inshore, Biloxi area | |
| Horn Island Bar | Bar | South side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi | |
| Cat Island and Horn Island grounds | Barrier islands | Cobia in late April and early May | |
| Ship Island wrecks, Camille Cut tanks and barges | Wrecks, tanks, barges | Offshore | About 15 to 20 miles offshore |
| MDMR offshore reef sites | 15 permitted sites | Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership | |
| Horseshoe rigs and salt domes | Rigs, salt domes | South of the Mississippi River mouth | 300 to 400 ft |
| Ram Powell rig | Oil rig | Off Louisiana | |
| Offshore ledge | Ledge |
Inshore and barrier islands
Katrina Reef is inshore in the Biloxi area and is the nearest named structure on this list. Horn Island Bar sits on the south side of Horn Island, a short boat trip from Biloxi.
The Cat Island and Horn Island grounds are barrier-island structure known for cobia in late April and early May. Treat them as reference points on the way out rather than red grouper spots.
Wrecks 15 to 20 miles out
The wrecks around Ship Island and Camille Cut tanks and barges sit about 15 to 20 miles offshore. They are the first offshore tier for boats moving beyond the islands.
MDMR offshore reef sites
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) lists 15 permitted offshore reef sites under the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership.
Deep rigs, salt domes and the ledge
The Horseshoe rigs and salt domes lie south of the Mississippi River mouth in 300 to 400 ft of water. The Ram Powell rig is an oil rig off Louisiana. The offshore ledge is also structure that boats work.
These are the long runs. Plan the trip around the deep tier first, then work the nearer structure on the way out or back.
How red grouper are fished from Biloxi
The local method is reef fishing over the structure above, with anglers running their own boats to the reefs and wrecks.
For the wider reef fish picture, see our reef fish fishing guides. The species guide linked above covers technique.
Reading conditions before the run
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC station 42040, which the NDBC page describes as re-established about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. Check it, along with the official National Weather Service marine forecast, before you run.
Read wind, wave height and period as numbers, and base the go/no-go call on the forecast, since a buoy reports conditions where it sits, not where you fish.
You can plot the MDMR reef sites and the wrecks as waypoints in Breakpoint for planning. Chart layers are not for navigation.
FAQ about red grouper fishing out of Biloxi
Can you catch red grouper year-round out of Biloxi?
Yes. Red grouper are found in Biloxi waters year-round, and boats work reefs and wrecks.
How far do Biloxi boats run for grouper?
The wrecks around Ship Island and the Camille Cut tanks and barges are about 15 to 20 miles offshore. Deeper structure includes the Horseshoe rigs and salt domes south of the Mississippi River mouth and the Ram Powell rig off Louisiana.
What structure is closest to Biloxi?
Katrina Reef inshore, and Horn Island Bar on the south side of Horn Island, a short boat trip out.
How deep are the Horseshoe rigs and salt domes?
300 to 400 ft, south of the Mississippi River mouth.
What are the MDMR offshore reef sites?
15 permitted sites under the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks partnership.
Which buoy should I check before running from Biloxi?
NDBC 42040, which sits about 60 NM south of 42007’s nominal position. Check it together with the official National Weather Service marine forecast.
Where are the rules for red grouper from Biloxi?
MDMR sets state rules, and federal rules apply farther out. See the Regulations section above and check before fishing.
