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Horn Islands, Pascagoula, Biloxi Bay, Bay St Louis & Heron Bay
Capt. Charles Damiens
January 3, 2008
Gulfport - Saltwater Fishing Report
North Winds Make For Some Shallow Waters!
Lows in the 20’s and Teens in some locations, has made for some very cold days on the water. With the north winds breezing at 15-20 miles per hour, the wind chill can make for some miserable fishing conditions. Not to mention, that there is a whole new meaning to LOW Tide. Tides reach their all time lows due to these weather patterns and what you use to be able to navigate in with caution now is high and dry.
These are the best times for scouting the true layout of the area waters you fish. You will never analyze the read out of a depth finder, or contour chart with bathometric and get the immediate visual results that you will during these outings. Those Low Low Tides driven further out with a north wind make visualization of the bottom ideal during this time of year. If you put a little effort, as well as a few extra layers of clothing, into going on a scouting expedition you will find things that you just did not know were there. Hidden structure, Oyster Reefs, as well as deep cuts and canals are easily identified during these times. You will be surprised how many deeper pockets exist in what is thought of by most people as just another flat. That isolated pocket of water surrounded by what is now dry land is a new area to fish that will hold pockets of fish when they are feeding on the flats in normal tidal ranges.
You will need to bring your binoculars. Many of your favorite haunts will not be navigable, but you can get close and start glassing the area. Some of my “Hot Spots” were found just this very way.
But while you are out wet a line. The Trout are stacked up in the 12-18 foot water depths near the channel. Trolling still remains the best technique right now and is a most suited technique for these days when you have to remain so bundled up to stay warm. But if you are into Reds you are going to have to find the grass laden marsh banks that have sheer drop offs. These banks by their nature attract Reds this time of year. As usual you can still fill an ice chest with Black Drum and Sheepshead by most of the area bridges especially the Train Bridge. Key time is in the evening. Slow rising tide, anchor or troll the south side, and cast a market (dead) shrimp under the bridge and slowly reel in.
Hope and Pray everyone had a safe New Years. Good Luck on the Water and give me a call to set up your trip on our beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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