One of the best things to do in Gulfport, MS and in the rest of Coastal Mississippi is to fish – and both newbies and angling pros agree. There are fishing spots for each enthusiast, regardless of their preference for saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water. And with summer ushering in the season for speckled trout, redfish, red snappers, cobia, pompano, and Spanish mackerel, to name a few, no fisherman will be going home empty-handed.
But before getting caught up with all the excitement of reeling in your catch, preparations have to be made. And it all starts with the license to fish.
Getting a fishing license
All anglers need to buy a license to fish in Mississippi. Only anglers who are chartering a boat are exempted from this requirement. For recreational fishing at piers or by the beach, residents and non-residents have pay for a saltwater fishing license. Check out the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ list of fees here and their online license purchasing portal here. You can also refer to this list of catch limits for guidelines on allowed quantities and species.
With a valid license on hand, anglers can stop by these stores to get the best bait and tackle that will reel in a prize catch or two.
Fort Bayou Bait Shop
1022 Legion Lane, Ocean Springs
This small shop in Ocean Springs has a homey bayou atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxing day of fishing. Despite its size, it is well-stocked with fishing essentials and live shrimp bait, crickets, and worms. There’s no need to venture out too far since there are fishing piers near the shop. But if the water calls, there’s a ramp available for boat launches.
Gorenflo’s Tackle and Marina
119 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi
On the way to one of Biloxi, Mississippi’s great fishing spots? Stop by Gorenflo’s to stock up on the essentials. This tackle shop has a great selection of fishing tackle and must-have fishing accessories like coolers, sunglasses, fishing rods, and fuel. The staff is very knowledgeable and despite the small square footage, it offers many things an angler would need.
Mary Walker Marina
3308 Mary Walker Drive, Gautier
In operation since 1945, this full-service marina is the largest in Jackson County and has everything anyone can ever need for a boating excursion. The staff knows a great deal about the local area and can recommend ideal fishing spots.
The availability of live bait isn’t an issue with the marina’s three live-bait tanks. There’s also frozen bait, worms, and plenty of ice and fuel on hand. When the fishing day is done, there’s a picnic area for customers to relax and take in great views of the bayou after prepping the catch of the day at the fish cleaning station.
Wicked Fish Bait & Tackle
13011 B Highway 49 South, Gulfport
Wicked Fish Bait & Tackle hasn’t been around for long—not even a year. But the newly opened bait and tackle shop is determined to provide Gulfport anglers with a good selection of top water baits and worms and a great variety of tackle boxes and fishing line.
Owned by a Texan couple who fell in love with Coastal Mississippi, the shop has friendly and helpful staff. It is also conveniently located next to a gas station. If you prefer your bait frozen, there’s a variety of them (shrimp, squid, pogie, cut bait, crab bait, finger mullet, and a few more) available here.
Fishing piers to visit
Now that you’re armed with supplies for a day out on the water or at the pier, here are some notable fishing spots to visit in Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi.
- Ken Combs Pier (or Courthouse Pier). Even though this Gulfport pier gets crowded during peak season, facilities are still well-maintained. You also get to hobnob with friendly fellow anglers here. There’s a convenient boat ramp and plenty of parking space.
- Jones Park. A popular spot with the local anglers, Jones Park has three fishing piers, a central boat launch, and a bait shop. There’s a park area and a splash pad that makes it an ideal destination for families with kids. Ship Island Excursions can also be booked from the park once the service resumes.
- Broadwater Marina. This marina on the Mississippi Sound in Biloxi is privately owned but open to the public. It is situated on deeper waters, so bigger saltwater fish can be caught on occasion. Some of the more common species that can be caught here are speckled trout, redfish, and black drum.
If you want to live closer to the bountiful waters of the Mississippi coast, reach out to Sherry Owen and the Owen & Co., LLC Real Estate team. With 30 years of service by the coast of Mississippi, they have an in-depth knowledge of the best properties and an uncompromised dedication toward fulfilling their clients’ real estate goals. Call them at (228) 822-9870 or send an email to info@owenandco.com to get started.
