West Ship Island Fishing

West Ship Island is the Mississippi coast's great day trip for a shore angler: clear barrier-island water a ferry ride from Gulfport, with a Civil War fort behind you. The water is cleaner and saltier than along the mainland, and the fish often bigger.

• Beaches open to fishing in the Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Redfish and speckled trout, plus pompano and Spanish mackerel in the surf
• A daily passenger ferry in season
• Fort Massachusetts, a boardwalk to the Gulf beach and a snack bar

The island lies off Gulfport between the Mississippi Sound and the open Gulf and is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which the National Park Service now calls simply Ship Island (it was once West and East Ship). The only public way out is the passenger ferry.

• Ferry: departs from the Gulfport Harbor in Jones Park from mid-March to early November, daily in summer and Wednesday to Sunday in spring and fall; about one hour each way, with a fare per person, and booking ahead reserves a seat
• On the island: a one-third mile boardwalk crosses from the north-side dock and fort to the Gulf beach
• What to carry: backpacks, coolers of 42 quarts or less and bagged folding chairs are allowed; large items are turned away at the gate
• Fishing spots: the Sound-side beaches either side of the fort and the Gulf beach away from the swim area

The island sits where the murky Sound meets clearer Gulf water.

• Spring (Mar-May): speckled trout and redfish along the Sound-side beaches, pompano and ground mullet in the Gulf surf
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Spanish mackerel and ladyfish chasing bait, trout at dawn, jacks crashing bait schools off the beach
• Fall (Sep-Nov): big redfish and the best trout before the ferry season ends, with flounder along the troughs
• Winter (Dec-Feb): no ferry service, so the island is reached only by private boat

Bring one medium spinning rod and one longer surf rod, and keep the kit light for the ferry.

• Speckled trout: a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig or a topwater plug at dawn along the Sound side
• Redfish: a gold spoon, or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig in the Gulf surf
• Pompano and ground mullet: a two-hook pompano rig with shrimp or fresh bait cast into the first trough
• Spanish mackerel: silver spoons cast to diving birds
• Mullet: a cast net in the shallows, as many visitors do
• Bring all bait with you; there is no bait for sale on the island

The island gets the Gulf's small diurnal tide, one high and one low on most days and only a foot or two of range; check the Gulfport tide station's area for the times.

• Water on the Gulf side is usually clearer than the Sound, especially in light winds
• A gentle south wind makes the surf fishable; a strong one roughens it and brings rip currents
• After big rains on the mainland, brown water reaches the Sound side first
• The first hours after the morning ferry lands are the quietest on the beaches
• Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms that can cut a day short

The island is remote, sunny and exposed, and help is a boat ride away.

• There are no trees and almost no shade; bring sun protection, hats and plenty of water
• Rip currents form on the Gulf side; never wade deep, and stay clear of swimmers
• Shuffle your feet when wading to avoid stingrays
• Leave the beach when lightning approaches and head for shelter near the facilities
• Keep track of the last ferry back to Gulfport
• Access: a boardwalk crosses the island; the beaches are soft sand

Facilities are clustered near the dock and boardwalk.

• Restrooms, showers and drinking water fountains
• Two large picnic pavilions
• A snack bar with food, soft drinks, beer and beach items
• Beach chair and umbrella rentals on the Gulf beach near the end of the boardwalk
• A ranger station beside Fort Massachusetts, with fort tours by National Park Service guides
• No bait or tackle for sale; bring everything

• Catch the 9 a.m. ferry and fish the Sound side near the fort before the crowds spread out
• Walk well away from the swim beach before you cast on the Gulf side
• A small cooler with frozen shrimp and a cast net for mullet covers most bait needs
• Pack a light rod in a tube; long rods and big carts are hard to carry on the ferry
• Only empty, non-living shells may be collected, and hermit crabs are protected

West Ship Island is managed by the National Park Service as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and state fishing rules apply in seashore waters.

• The ferry dock is closed to fishing and netting
• No fishing at the designated swim beach while lifeguards are on duty
• Commercial fishing is not allowed in seashore waters
• A Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required south of US 90 unless you are exempt; between US 90 and I-10 either a saltwater or a freshwater license will do
• Anglers under 16 are exempt
• Check current MDMR rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything