Page 124 - South Mississippi Living - Ocotber, 2022

story and photos by John N. Felsher
Mississippi offers abundant recreational opportunities for anyone who wishes to step outside and appreciate nature.
On the Gulf Coast, anglers can enjoy fishing for many freshwater and saltwater species all year long in diverse habitats. All Mississippi rivers and lakes teem with largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegills and other fish. In many places, like the river deltas, anglers frequently catch fresh and saltwater species, including redfish, speckled trout, flounder and bass, at the same time on the same baits.
In the nearshore waters of Mississippi Sound, fishermen catch trout and redfish, but the catch might also include Spanish mackerel, bluefish, cobia, tripletail and other species. Head offshore to fish for several grouper and snapper species, king mackerel, mahi mahi, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, swordfish and marlin. Depending upon the location and season, the catch might include more than a dozen species in a day.
East Pearl River forms part of the Louisiana-Mississippi line and creates a fertile marshland between the state line and Waveland. Farther east, Bay St. Louis covers 27 square miles near Pass Christian. Several feeder streams, including the Jourdan and Wolf rivers, feed into it. Besides fishing, the bays, rivers and bayous offer outstanding kayaking opportunities.
“People fishing Bay St. Louis don’t need to travel far to catch fish,” explained Sonny Schindler with Shore Thing Fishing Charters. “People can catch several species near the bridges crossing the bay entrance.”
Between Biloxi and Ocean Springs, the Back Bay provides a variety of incredible fishing opportunities. The Tchoutacabouffa and Biloxi rivers and several bayous flow into the system. Throughout the entire estuary and adjacent waters, anglers often
124 | October 2022
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