Spring
Offshore
cobia, king mackerel, amberjack and grouper at reefs and rigs
Nearshore
cobia, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout and redfish in the Sound
MississippiOffshore Fishing: Ports, Rules and Seasons
Mississippi offshore fishing starts in the Mississippi Sound, crosses the barrier island line at Cat, Ship, Horn and Petit Bois, and runs south to the rigs, reefs and blue water. Where each port sits on that line, and where the rules change once you leave it, shapes every trip you plan.
This page covers the coast from west to east, the ports by stretch, what runs in each season, and how the rules split between state and federal waters. Mississippi’s Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) sets state rules, with one line for reef fish and another for everything else. Coverage for other Gulf states follows the same layout.
By Breakpoint Team
3Offshore ports
2Stretches of coast
3 NMState waters
The coast
How the Mississippi Coast Fishes
The Mississippi Sound is shallow, protected water behind the barrier island chain. Ship, Horn and Petit Bois sit within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, where the National Park Service bans commercial fishing inside a 1-mile perimeter around those three islands. The ban applies to commercial fishing only; recreational fishing is not covered.
In the west, Hancock County is marsh country on the Louisiana side. Bay St. Louis is the launch point, and the western Sound opens toward Cat Island. Cat Island Reef is one of the state’s permitted reef areas.
In the center, Harrison County faces Ship Island directly across the Sound. Gulfport and Biloxi are the two ports where most of the charter fleet ties up.
In the east, Jackson County runs through Ocean Springs, Pascagoula and Moss Point, with access toward Horn and Petit Bois.
Past the islands, the permitted artificial reefs (fish havens) are FH 4, FH 8, FH 9/11, FH 10 and FH 14. Farther south are oil and gas rigs, then blue water for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and blue marlin. Structure holds red snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, and king and Spanish mackerel. Our guide to the wider Gulf covers how the rigs and shelf edge fit together. Federal documents now call it the Gulf of America.
OBS SST and Chlorophyll show where temperature and color edges set up, and Chart Contours shows the bottom structure under them. They help you decide where to look before you burn the fuel. The chart layers are not for navigation. For wind, wave height and period, use the official NWS marine forecast for your zone.
Ports
3 ports, 2 stretches of coast
Ports are grouped by county, from the Louisiana line in the west to the Alabama line in the east. Tap a number on the map, or a stretch below, to zoom in on its ports.
Pick a stretch of coast
1
2 ports
Harrison County: The Central Coast
Pass Christian and Long Beach sit along this shore, and Gulfport and Biloxi face Ship Island across the Sound.
2
1 port
Jackson County: The Eastern Side
Ocean Springs and Moss Point are the other eastern towns on the Sound.
Seasons
What runs through the year
What tends to be around each season. Open seasons are covered under Regulations.
Summer
Offshore
red snapper (season by MDMR order), yellowfin tuna, wahoo, blue marlin, king mackerel
Nearshore
tripletail, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, redfish
Fall
Offshore
yellowfin tuna, wahoo, king mackerel, amberjack and grouper (season by agency order)
Nearshore
redfish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel
Winter
Offshore
grouper and reef fish at deeper structure, where seasons are open
Nearshore
speckled trout and redfish in the Sound
What shows up depends on water temperature and on the agencies’ season orders.
Seasons for red snapper, greater amberjack, gag and gray triggerfish are set by agency order, so check MDMR and NOAA Fisheries before fishing.
Seasons tell you which fish are around, and daily water conditions show where to find them
Temperature breaks and color edges shift with wind and current. In Breakpoint, these three layers show those edges and the bottom structure near them.
Clouds block satellite SST passes, so some days show gaps. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Charters and tournaments
Charters and Tournaments
Most of the charter fleet runs from Gulfport and Biloxi. Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi is home to many inshore and offshore charters. A charter captain’s ROLP covers paying passengers, and the captain and crew on a charter trip keep no red snapper or greater amberjack.
Two tournaments anchor the calendar:
- Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. Held at Gulfport Harbor, with saltwater divisions from king mackerel and red snapper to tuna and wahoo. Contestants may harbor boats at any pier. Dates are posted on the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo site.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. Hosted at Point Cadet in Biloxi, with blue marlin as the headline species. Weigh-ins are open to the public. Dates are on the Billfish Classic official site.
Point Cadet also hosts kingfish tournaments, including Kingmaster Biloxi and Southern Kingfish Association events.
Tournaments in Mississippi
Regulations
State rules apply out to 3 nautical miles, with federal rules beyond
Our Mississippi fishing regulations page holds the full size and bag tables. This section covers where the rules split. MDMR sets state rules, and NOAA Fisheries sets federal ones. Check both before fishing.
3 NMState waters. Federal rules apply beyond the line.
Mississippi regulations page
State Waters
Mississippi state waters run 9 nautical miles from the baseline for reef fish: snappers, groupers, amberjacks, triggerfish and tilefish. For all other fisheries the state line is 3 nautical miles. MDMR publishes the 9-nautical-mile line as a map with 16 coordinate points and describes state waters as 9 nautical miles south of the barrier islands. The MDMR red snapper page carries the season order and reporting details.
Key state rules:
- Red snapper. The season is set by an MDMR opening order and closes on quota. Default state limits are 16 inches total length and 2 per person per day. Check MDMR for season length before the trip.
- Saltwater license. Required south of Highway 90. Anglers under 16 are exempt. You can buy through MDWFP online or at the MDMR licensing office in Biloxi.
- Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP). Free, and a supplement to the saltwater license. It is required to possess snapper, amberjack, grouper, hind, triggerfish or cobia, and it expires December 31. Every angler on a private trip needs one. A charter captain’s permit covers paying passengers. Gray snapper caught north of the Intracoastal Waterway is exempt.
- Tails n’ Scales. Every red snapper trip needs a trip number. One angler per vessel per trip reports. Create the trip before departure and close it on return. Marine Patrol confiscates fish and fines anglers who fish without a trip authorization number.
- Permitted reefs. FH 4, FH 8, FH 9/11, FH 10, FH 14 and Cat Island Reef allow no more than 3 hooks per line and no powerhead spear gear.
Federal Waters
NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf of America Fishery Management Council set rules beyond the state line. In-season changes are posted on the NOAA Fisheries seasonal closures page.
- Private anglers and red snapper. Private anglers may fish red snapper in federal waters off Mississippi under the Mississippi season. They need a Mississippi saltwater license and may not possess red snapper there when the state season is closed.
- For-hire boats. A charter vessel or headboat needs a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish to fish them in federal waters. A federally permitted for-hire boat follows the more restrictive of the federal or state rule, even in state waters. A state-licensed for-hire boat without the federal permit may not fish red snapper in federal waters.
- Reef fish gear. Use non-stainless steel circle hooks with natural bait, carry a dehooking device, and have a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready.
- Head and fins. Fish in or from federal waters stay with head and fins intact.
- Highly Migratory Species. Tunas, billfish and swordfish are federal HMS species. Permit requirements are on the federal HMS permit site. Mississippi allows bluefin tuna only as incidental catch, 1 per boat per week, reported to MDMR.
FAQ
Mississippi offshore, answered
Official answers come from the state wildlife agency and NOAA Fisheries. Check them before you go.
How far out are Mississippi state waters for red snapper?
Mississippi state waters run 9 nautical miles from the baseline for reef fish, which includes red snapper. The 3-nautical-mile line covers other fisheries. Check the Mississippi fishing regulations page and MDMR for the season.
Do I need a ROLP on a charter?
No. A charter captain’s permit covers paying passengers. Anglers on a private boat each need one. It is free and expires December 31.
What is Tails n’ Scales?
It is MDMR’s mandatory red snapper trip reporting system. One angler per vessel per trip reports. Create the trip before departure and close it on return.
Do I need a Mississippi saltwater fishing license?
Yes, south of Highway 90, unless you are under 16. Buy it online through MDWFP or at the MDMR office in Biloxi.
Do tuna and billfish need a federal permit?
They are federal HMS species. Check permit requirements at hmspermits.noaa.gov before fishing.
Where are the big tournaments held?
The Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is held at Gulfport Harbor. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is held at Point Cadet in Biloxi. Get dates from the official sites.
Why do regulations say "Gulf of America"?
Federal agencies use "Gulf of America" for the Gulf of Mexico, so NOAA pages and council documents use that name. Search under both names.
What is the hook limit on Mississippi’s permitted reefs?
No more than 3 hooks per line on FH 4, FH 8, FH 9/11, FH 10, FH 14 and Cat Island Reef. Powerhead spear gear is not allowed.
Know Where the Fish Are Before You Leave the Dock.
Ranked hotspots, live ocean layers and offline maps.
Open Breakpoint