Fishing in Gulfport: The Ultimate Guide

Gulfport, as its name suggests, is another city that has the honor of enjoying the beauty of the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, which can easily be turned into a top-notch entertainment stage!

Although it is less prevalent or advertised than others, you can use this to your fishing advantage! And if you're not a fan of crowds, you've found an ideal fishing haven! You can find everything here, from calm shores full of Speckled Trout to more risky adventures on the open sea.

The guide in front of you will give you a better insight into what and who awaits you in the waters of Gulfport! We'll also provide you with everything you need, from the ideal months to hunt your favorite species and recommended techniques to tips for the most famous locations, such as Gulfport Marina and hidden artificial reefs.

If you are ready to accept a challenge and an adventure, let's discover the magic of fishing in Gulfport together!

Fish Species Found in Gulfport

The combination of exciting action and relaxed rhythm gives this destination the perfect balance! Various native and migratory species, each exotic and intriguing enough, ensure you are never bored!

Native Species 

The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are so generous that they provide more than enough native species for any coastal city! There are plenty of native fish for good catch throughout the year, and to find out more details about the most popular, keep reading!

Speckled Trout 

Speckled Trout is among the most representative fish species in the entire region and the Gulf Coast. With an elongated body decorated with striking black dots, this beautiful fish attracts attention as it gracefully moves through shallow waters and grassy banks. It escapes quickly and easily, but it is still the favorite of many anglers, both because of its character and because of the superb taste it provides.

• Best Time to Catch: Spring and fall
• Habitat: Shallow estuaries and grass banks
• Preferred Bait: Live crayfish, soft plastic
• Fishing Technique: Casting and spinning with light tackle
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Depth: Shallow to moderate

Typically measuring around 30 inches and weighing up to 7 pounds, Speckled Trout can grow even larger under the right conditions. While live crabs are a proven choice for enticing strikes, colorful soft plastics that mimic natural prey are equally effective. Prime conditions for targeting them often occur when water temperatures are mild, making fish more active and increasing the chances of landing a trophy. 

Redfish

Redfish is another species that is the heart and soul of the Gulf of Mexico, but so is fishing in Gulfport! A real fighter with a muscular but lean body with distinctive reddish tones and a dark spot on the tail. It likes to swim in, hunts, and generally dominates muddy banks, canals, and grassy shallows. In addition to the tasty and sought-after meat, its strength and ferocity in the fight on the rod is the real reason anglers seek it softer.

• Best Time to Catch: Late summer and fall
• Habitat: Shallow estuaries and grass banks
• Preferred Bait: Live shrimp, plastic imitations
• Fishing Technique: Casting and spinning with medium tackle
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Depth: Shallow to moderate

Mature Redfish can grow up to 40 inches and exceed 20 pounds, though smaller ones still put up a tough fight. They strike readily at both live shrimp and realistic plastic lures, and favorable water conditions often bring them together in greater numbers. Hooking into one requires patience, steady technique, and a readiness for their explosive runs.

Sheepshead

This fish is often called a "thief with fur" because it is a master of deception, stealing baits and playing with fishermen. With its black and white stripes, this easy-to-spot fish looks almost like a shallow-water zebra. Its teeth resemble human teeth and can crush shellfish and crustaceans. Sheepshead's favorite habitats are docks, rocky shores, and artificial reefs, where they linger for food.

• Best Time to Catch: Winter and spring
• Habitat: Docs, rocky shores, and artificial reefs
• Preferred Bait: Crabs, clams, shrimps
• Fishing Technique: Bottom fishing
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Depth: Shallow to moderate

Sheepshead are a solid weight potential catch, typically reaching 15 to 20 inches and weighing up to 8 pounds. It is best to catch it using bottom fishing techniques, using proven baits such as crabs, clams, and shrimp. In Gulfport, the prime time for Sheepshead pursuits is winter and spring. Although this trickster is not easy to catch, it adds to the challenge and greater joy once you succeed.

Whiting

This fish, often called the "Southern Kingfish," is a quiet favorite of the Gulfport coast. It is discreet but constant. Although it does not seem like a challenging fish at first glance, its number and taste make it a regular catch for anyone who wants a quick and efficient action that will result in a great meal. You will find it in sandy and muddy shallows, primarily active during the warmer months.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months
• Habitat: Sandy and muddy shallows
• Preferred Bait: Cut shrimp, worms
• Fishing Technique: Bottom fishing, light tackle
• Difficulty: Easy
• Depth: Shallow to moderate

Known for its availability and taste, it is the perfect fish for beginners and fast fishing from the shore or pier. The best option is to present bait such as cut shrimp or worms fished with bottom fishing gear or light tackle. The simplicity of the catch makes it great for culinary experiments, while the grill itself is perfect for those looking for relaxed fishing fun.

Mangrove Snapper

The Mangrove Snapper, or as its locality calls it, "Mangrove Jack," is a genuine specimen of an opportunistic, wise fish. Its boisterous character and quick reaction make it an intriguing fish for those who want action in shallow water and around artificial reefs and who generally like fish with a bit of brain capacity. Snapper is just like that: fast but also intelligent, making it an exciting catch.

• Best Time to Catch: Summer and early fall
• Habitat: Shallow water and around artificial reefs
• Preferred Bait: Cut shrimp, worms
• Fishing Technique: Spinning, precise casting
• Difficulty: Easy
• Depth: Shallow to moderate

Their size usually ranges between 12 and 20 inches, but they can sometimes grow up to 24 inches. They prefer hiding in structures and around obstacles, so you must be quick and precise to trick them. It is best to hunt them with spinning and accurate casting. Their meat is highly prized, but catching this clever predator requires skill and effort.

Migratory Species 

From the sleek and tasty Tuna that move between deep water and shorelines to Sharks and many other species that travel long distances in search of food, Gulfport's migratory species provide the opportunity for a different, more prosperous, and more rewarding fishing experience. Let's meet some of them!

Yellowfin Tuna

The popularity of Tuna can't be surpassed by any fish, and with good reason, because they are all highly sought after, primarily due to their high-quality and expensive meat. Yellowfin Tuna is the true king of Gulfport's migratory species; it is robust, fast, and tasty. A daring character with incredible fighting abilities that will challenge every fishing instinct.

• Best Time to Catch: Late spring through summer
• Habitat: Offshore, deep waters 
• Preferred Bait: Live sardines, clams, and plastic lures
• Fishing Technique: Trolling, deep-sea casting
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Depth: Deep

Yellowfin Tuna can range from 50 to over 200 pounds, demanding heavy gear and a well-planned strategy. Trolling and deep-sea casting are the most effective methods, with baits like live sardines, clams, and realistic plastic lures drawing strikes from impressive distances. For many anglers, bringing one of these powerful fish to the boat is a true career highlight.

Sharks

The waters off Gulfport are home to formidable predators like the Blacktip Shark and Bull Shark, both renowned for the power and excitement they bring to big-game fishing. While not as aggressive toward humans as movies might suggest, they remain symbols of drama and adrenaline on the line. From sandy shores to estuaries and open waters, these apex predators command attention and respect.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months
• Habitat: Sandy shores, estuaries, and the open sea
• Preferred Bait: Large fish or shrimp
• Fishing Technique: Deep-sea casting
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Depth: Deep

Blacktip Sharks are known for their high-speed runs and acrobatic leaps, while Bull Sharks deliver a relentless, brute-force fight. Under the right conditions, specimens exceeding 500 pounds can be found. Success requires heavy, high-quality gear and baits like large fish or shrimp, paired with deep-sea techniques. For anglers seeking an actual test of skill and endurance, shark fishing in Gulfport offers unforgettable battles.

Amberjack

Amberjack is another beautiful fish, an actual visual and character representative of deep ocean battles. Known for their strength, speed, and endurance, they provide solid, exciting fights that test every equipment and technique. If you're serious about your fishing endeavors, you must get into a fight with an Amberjack.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months
• Habitat: Artificial reefs and shipwrecks
• Preferred Bait: Live fish and deep-sea plastic lures
• Fishing Technique: Casting or jigging
• Difficulty: Challenging 
• Depth: Deep

Amberjack is a species with a wide range of sizes, so you can find specimens as small as 30 pounds; some specimens even exceed 100 pounds. They are best caught on live fish and deep-sea plastic lures by casting or jigging around artificial reefs and shipwrecks, where they are often found in large schools. However, no matter how many you come across, don't underestimate them; Amberjack is a species that seeks an angler equal to itself.

Cobia

With a long, elongated body and distinctive dark stripes, this fish is the real king among Gulfport's marine predators. Strong, fast, and energetic, it is often found near the coast and on artificial reefs, although it can also be near the bottom. During its migratory periods, it usually moves into shallower areas, offering more opportunities for anglers to connect with this impressive fish.

• Best Time to Catch: Spring and fall
• Habitat: Artificial reefs, shallows
• Preferred Bait: Live fish, sardines, shrimp, or plastic lures
• Fishing Technique: Trolling
• Difficulty: Challenging 
• Depth: Shallow to deep

It can range in size from 20 to over 60 pounds and is a real gourmand, so it's best to catch it on live sardines, shrimp, or plastic lures with trolling techniques. Cobia is known for its aggressive fight and persistence, which, combined with its fleshy, muscular body, can make it a challenging fish to catch.

King Mackerel 

King Mackerel, or Kingfish, is another famous star of the beautiful and rich waters of the Gulfport. With a long, snake-like, and muscular body equipped with strong character and strength, this fish looks impressive and provides exciting moments when on the rod. King Mackerel often migrate inshore and are a viral target among anglers.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months
• Habitat: Inshore waters
• Preferred Bait: live sardines or live bait lures
• Fishing Technique: Trolling, spinning
• Difficulty: Challenging 
• Depth: Deep

Depending on feeding conditions and age, you can find a specimen from 10 to more than 40 pounds. They are most active during the warmer months when they approach the coast searching for food or a place to spawn. Kingfish's overall appearance is intense, so they are primarily caught on baits with a strong smell, like live sardines or live bait lures, using trolling or spinning techniques with sturdy gear. 

Prime Fishing Spots in Gulfport

From bustling harbors to serene barrier islands, Gulfport can satisfy even the most ambitious and sophisticated angler. Let's dive into the best casting lines in Gulfport!

Ship Island

Located about 11 miles offshore from Gulfport, Ship Island is an idyllic island, accessible by a short boat ride, boasting clear, dreamy waters and a rich marine ecosystem that attracts games such as Cobia, Amberjack, and King Mackerel – quite enough space, shore and water for trolling, jigging or bottom fishing. 

The water is rich in natural reefs, and the bottom is predominantly sandy, a refuge for various fish and suitable for most techniques. You can explore the surroundings by boat, and with their stunning surroundings and rich marine life, the great fishing grounds offer the perfect setting for an unforgettable day on the water.

Gulfport Harbour

You can't miss it because this port is located in the heart of Gulfport, just a few minutes from downtown. Always active day and night, it combines the charm of a busy port with excellent fishing opportunities. Bustling, lighted docks and calm waters attract species such as Brown Trout, Redfish and Speckled Trout. The whole appearance, combined with the structures of jetties and boats, attracts anglers to a lively fishing atmosphere.

The water is active, with a constant flow of traffic and changing tides, which means it would be perfect if you knew how dynamic and advanced the port's ecosystem is. Knowing how to use it to your advantage will significantly increase your chances of a successful catch. You can launch a boat or rent a charter for fishing in the open sea.

Ocean Springs Reef

Just 8 miles east of Gulfport, Ocean Springs Reef is a celebrated artificial reef built to enhance marine life and create outstanding fishing opportunities. Its intricate structure draws in a variety of species, including Grouper and Snapper, making it a popular destination for anglers seeking both variety and challenge.

These reefs are prime spots for bottom fishing, particularly effective for targeting Grouper. Heavy sinkers paired with bait like squid or cuttlefish work well to reach fish holding close to the structure, while jigging can also yield great results. With its rich underwater habitat and well-placed location, Ocean Springs Reef promises a rewarding and memorable fishing experience for those who know how to make the most of it.

Biloxi Bay

Biloxi Bay is just 10 miles east of Gulfport. This spacious bay is a hub of activity for casual and serious anglers. It is also a treasure trove of fish, with various complex aquatic habitats, including shallow marshes, grass plains, and deeper channels.

Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Tarpon are common in this bay, and the different habitats allow for various techniques, such as light casting, to cover the expansive grass flats and marshes. Using live bait or soft plastics, you can also try bottom fishing in deeper channels. This bay's calm waters and productive fishing grounds make it a must-visit destination.

Barrier Islands

The Barrier Islands are a little further from Gulfport, but genuinely worth every mile. Thirty miles away, this group of islands, including Cat Island and Horn Island, is a true hidden paradise offering an excellent combination of inshore and offshore fishing opportunities. With waters of various depths, you can meet both coastal and offshore species. Try casting around shallower waters and island estuaries for inshore fishing to catch Mackerel and Tarpon. 

When you head out to sea, the waters surrounding the islands teem with larger game such as Tuna and Cobia. This also means that you can troll, drift, or calmly cast. Drift fishing in the diverse habitats of the Barrier Islands, in particular, allows you to cover more areas and find the best fishing spots. With almost endless possibilities to pique everyone's fishing curiosity, it would be a real shame to miss out on this island.

Fishing Techniques in Gulfport

We will be honest and direct. Gulfport offers you enough space to practice all techniques successfully and efficiently. However, we have chosen the ones that best utilize the great fish abundance in these waters.

Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing is a technique for anyone who wants to catch fish hiding on the ocean floor, reefs, and other underwater structures. It involves using heavy leads and baits such as squid or pieces of fish, which are then lowered to the bottom, areas around reefs, or submerged wrecks.

In Gulfport, bottom fishing is particularly successful due to the abundance of underwater structures, which magnetically attract various types of fish, including larger predators. In essence, bottom fishing means fixing the bait to a certain depth, sea floor, or structure and occasionally tightening it to imitate the movement of the prey.

This is a traditional technique that is sometimes also used for more mass fishing, but in Gulfport, it promises a surprising effect because you never know what trophy specimen might bite in these rich waters.

Trolling

Trolling is a technique directly associated with hunting large predators and experiencing the excitement of more dangerous and dynamic fishing in the open sea. Trolling involves dragging a bait or lure behind a boat while moving on the water, covering large areas in search of Marlin, King Mackerel, Cobia, and Tuna.

In Gulfport, trolling is perfect for offshore areas, including reefs and open sea, because that's when trolling shows its strength and power. It's up to you to place your lures at different depths and operate them at varying speeds to attract different types of fish on the move. You can use both live and artificial baits, but live, more aggressive baits are always preferred.

This technique is ideal for anyone who wants action, is not afraid of a challenge, knows what they are doing, and knows how to get the most out of trolling.

Jigging 

Jigging is a thrilling technique for anglers who enjoy fast-paced, hands-on action. It involves dropping heavy lures, called jigs, to the bottom and retrieving them quickly with sharp, rhythmic movements. This motion mimics the behavior of injured prey and often triggers aggressive strikes from predatory fish. Species like Amberjack and Snapper are especially responsive, known for hitting hard and putting up a serious fight.

The waters off Gulfport are perfect for jigging, with plenty of underwater reefs, steep drop-offs, and structures that attract game fish. These natural features create the ideal environment for ambush predators, making the area a hotspot for anglers seeking high-energy battles. Jigging here promises not just action, but the chance to hook into some real Gulf fighters.

For the best results, focus your efforts on reef edges, steep slopes, and any structure-rich areas where fish are likely to gather. Use light-colored jigs between 2 and 8 ounces, adjusting for depth and current.

Casting

Suppose you are looking for a versatile technique that gives you complete control and precision, the possibility of an easy upgrade, and the beauty of the move and overall cast maneuver. In that case, this technique is the right choice! It involves precisely casting lures or lures to specific locations, often along shorelines, shallows, or near structures such as jetties and reefs.

It is primarily used for coastal species, although you can practice it from a boat or kayak in greater depths. The technique is ideal for targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout and Sheepshead, which live in calm bays to grassy shallows and canals. With light gear, which is easier to transport, you can afford more fishing spot research and, in general, a more relaxed approach.

Regarding baits, soft plastics, crankbaits, and live shrimp are excellent choices. Casting is a perfect balance between precision and skill that gives great results.

Live Bait Fishing

Many anglers believe that live bait is crucial in fishing and attracts the best catches. Indeed, in Gulfport waters, using live bait such as fish, shrimp, or crabs ensures you attract even the most prominent predators like Redfish, Speckled Trout, or King Mackerel. The great advantage of this technique is their natural moves and smell, which attract hungry fish even in harsh conditions.

Gulfport provides excellent locations for this technique that can be initially combined and built upon, whether you are inshore or offshore. And the best results come when you master matching the type of bait with the desired fish. That's how live shrimp are for Speckled Trout, while with smaller fish baits, you will attract larger predators.

Although a relaxed and non-aggressive way of fishing, with the possibility of significant improvisation, the live bait technique provides an ideal balance between relaxed fishing and a moment of pure excitement.

Fishing Regulations and Licenses in Gulfport

Before casting a line in these Gulf Coast waters, you must obtain a valid Mississippi fishing license, which is required for anyone who plans to fish here and is over 16 years of age. In this way, you respect the law, protect yourself from potential fines, and guarantee that you will approach your fishing activities responsibly and by all currently valid laws and regulations. 

Licenses can easily be obtained online at the official site or local bait shops. However, additional permits may be required depending on where you plan to hunt and your target species.

During your planned trip, check for regularly updated information from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) regarding daily bag limits, seasonal closures, special management zones, and size restrictions. All this will take little time, but you will contribute to preserving these beautiful waters.

Final Thoughts 

If everything we've written has raised your adrenaline, it's time to pack your gear and head to Gulfport! When you feel the vibe of this destination, you will want to stay longer and explore all the famous and hidden places. From calm casting to adrenaline-pumping offshore trophy hunting, Gulfport offers action like never before, an excellent opportunity to test your skills and immerse yourself in the thrill of fishing and winning.

We know we only motivated you to brag, so share your secret locations, tricks, fishing anecdotes, and photos below before you leave. After all, nothing brings fellow anglers together like a good fishing story!