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Horn Islands, Pascagoula, Biloxi Bay, Bay St Louis & Heron Bay
Capt. Charles Damiens
October 2, 2007
Gulfport - Saltwater Fishing Report
The Honeymoon Charter.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of chartering Trey and Britney for a trip they planned during their honeymoon. They stayed at the IP Casino so we met at the D’Iberville ramp at the base of the 1 10 bridge. Trey had stated he loved top water fishing and pounding the banks for reds. So that was the objective.
After launching we were on a pre-dawn cruise to the Katrina Reef to try some top water. As we passed between Casino Row the north east 5 mile per hour breeze was hiding the 20 mile per hour winds we met ¾ of the way to the reef. By sun up and arrival at the Katrina Reef we were all drenched from the spray being propelled by the wind. Even with 18 degrees of dead rise or nothing can keep you dry into a stiff wind with 2-3 foot chop.
We trolled the entire length of the Reef, literally right up close and tight. Trey was walking the dog with a Finger Mullet Bait and was having consistent blowups, but no hookups. Time to move. We made a stop at the Keesler Reef and tried some live shrimp with 13 ¾ inch Speckle Trout throw backs for our efforts. The bite was slow but being anchored in the chop was uncomfortable so Inshore we go!
Another long troll down the Northern shore of Deer Island produced the same Speckle Trout throw back. So it was time to give the Train Bridge a try. Anchored at number 49 the live bait bite was on. Producing some throw back Reds, Croaker, Ground Mullet (Southern Kingfish), and on fairly large 7 pound Sheepshead caught by Britney. It was a nice fight and she was not going to let that fish get the better of her. Britney can fish! She can handle a bait caster reel better than most anyone I have ever had on my boat. My hat is off to her and her fishing skills.
The most amazing event of the day was right around the corner at Big Island. While trolling the south side we came into an area full of 16 inch Red Fish. They were everywhere and chasing our baits right up to the boat before fanning off. We threw everything in my box at them but could never get them to commit to the hook. There were multiple strikes and, many of the artificials were bitten in half and had to be replaced, but no solid hookups.
It was the largest bio-mass of juvenile Redfish I had ever seen in my life. After we arrived at the end of the Island we all sung of “Do Over”, and we motored back and tried again, this time with netted Grass Shrimp, Menhaden, and Finger Mullet schooling in the area. Same location, same concentration of fish, same result, even with the live bait from the exact area the fish were congregated. It was truly exciting though watching those Reds chase you artificial to the boat and your live bait out of the water, only to have them refuse to bite.
The day ended at the 1 10 bridge with live bait. Several small Specks, but on nice 20 inch Speckle Trout, another monster Sheepshead, White Trout, Croakers, and Ground Mullet to finish the day.
Over all it was an exciting day for all!
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