Mississippi · Gulf Coast
COBIA FISHING
IN BILOXI
Biloxi is a solid destination for cobia fishing, with good fishing in April, May. Book a charter and target cobia with local experts.
About Cobia Fishing in Biloxi
A powerful, curious fish often found near buoys, rays, and structure. Excellent eating and hard fighters.
Cobia are powerful, unique gamefish that look like nothing else in the ocean — a flat, broad head, single dorsal fin, and dark brown coloring with a distinctive black lateral stripe running from head to tail, with lighter stripes above and below. They are often found near buoys, rays, sea turtles, and other large objects, using them as shade and ambush cover. Cobia are curious fish that will approach boats, and sight-casting to cruising cobia is one of the most exciting experiences in inshore/nearshore fishing.
Scientific name: Rachycentron canadum
Cobia Seasonal Calendar — Biloxi
Month-by-month availability for cobia in Biloxi, MS.
How to Catch Cobia in Biloxi
Techniques & Bait
Sight-casting to cobia following rays or cruising near buoys is the premier technique — throw a live eel, large live crab, or large jig directly in front of a cruising fish. Live eels are the #1 bait. Large jigs (1-2 oz) in brown, white, or chartreuse bounced near structure work well. Chumming with cut baitfish over wrecks and reefs draws cobia up from the bottom. During the spring migration, anchoring near channel markers and buoys with live bait (pinfish, crabs) catches fish as they migrate along the coast.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod (7 ft), 5000-6000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 40-60 lb fluorocarbon leader, 5/0-7/0 circle hooks. Cobia make blistering initial runs — make sure your drag is set properly.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Biloxi
Top spots where local captains target cobia and other nearshore species.
Ship Island Pass
Ship Island Pass is the channel between East and West Ship Island in the barrier island chain south of Biloxi, where strong tidal currents funnel baitfish and attract Spanish mackerel, redfish, pompano, and jack crevalle. The pass's deep channel edges and sand bars create dramatic structure changes that concentrate feeding fish during tidal exchanges. Summer and fall produce the best action as migrating species move through the barrier island passes.
Biloxi Lighthouse Pier Reef
The artificial reef structures deployed near the historic Biloxi Lighthouse area in Mississippi Sound attract sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum to the concrete and limestone rubble. These nearshore reefs sit in shallow enough water to be accessible by small boats and kayaks on calm days. The reef's proximity to Biloxi's public launch ramps makes it an ideal half-day fishing destination for anglers seeking quick access to productive structure.
West Ship Island Surf
The Gulf-facing beach on West Ship Island offers excellent surf fishing for pompano, whiting, redfish, and Spanish mackerel along the pristine barrier island shoreline. The island's position twelve miles offshore ensures cleaner water and stronger currents than the mainland beaches, which keeps baitfish and gamefish close to the sand bars. The passenger ferry from Biloxi provides access, and anglers can wade the surf while enjoying one of Mississippi's most scenic fishing backdrops.
Biloxi Channel Markers
The navigational channel markers running through Mississippi Sound from Biloxi to the barrier islands serve as nearshore fish-attracting structure, with each piling holding sheepshead, mangrove snapper, speckled trout, and flounder around its barnacle-encrusted base. Working a line of channel markers by anchoring and dropping live shrimp is a proven technique that produces consistent mixed-species catches. The markers are especially productive during winter months when sheepshead school tightly around the hard structure.
Other Species in Biloxi
More fish you can target while visiting Biloxi.
Cobia Fishing in Biloxi — FAQ
Cobia fishing in Biloxi is productive during April, May.
Cobia fishing charters in Biloxi are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Sight-casting to cobia following rays or cruising near buoys is the premier technique — throw a live eel, large live crab, or large jig directly in front of a cruising fish. Live eels are the #1 bait. Large jigs (1-2 oz) in brown, white, or chartreuse bounced near structure work well. Chumming with cut baitfish over wrecks and reefs draws cobia up from the bottom. During the spring migration, anchoring near channel markers and buoys with live bait (pinfish, crabs) catches fish as they migrate along the coast.
No — when you book a charter in Biloxi, your captain provides all required Mississippi fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Cobia regulations in Mississippi include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Cobia in Biloxi, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Red Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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