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Anyone ever fish Cat Island?

Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:11 am
Posted by Neauxla
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2008
33443 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:11 am
I was thinking of trying Cat Island out of MS for reds/specs etc. so that I could hunt for triple tails at the crab traps on the way in and out. Anyone done this before? How's the fishing out there? Any tips?
This post was edited on 5/11/16 at 11:13 am
Posted by meauxjeaux2
watson
Member since Oct 2007
60283 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:25 am to
yes. Fish the bay on the west side. Nice specs wade fishing out there
Posted by redneck
Los Suenos, Costa Rica
Member since Dec 2003
53608 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:31 am to
bluemoons will give you the best advice


I've fished it quiet a bit. Obviously if you want redfish get into the marsh. for trout I like to anchor at the bird cage or drift the cove on the south side until we find a solid bite

you will catch a ton of different species in the same spot on a good day. I love cat island
This post was edited on 5/11/16 at 11:33 am
Posted by 911Moto
Member since Sep 2013
5491 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:44 am to
If you catch it at the right time of year (Migration), you might have a shot at a Cobia out there. For surf fishing, the western point is a good spot. Often there's big stuff just crashing bait fish in that area, though I never could catch whatever was lurking. It's been years, but I've also drift-fished the southern side of the island along the western half. Just drifted parallel to shore in around 3 ft. of water, and every time we hit grassy patches we'd pick up a trout or two.
This post was edited on 5/11/16 at 11:46 am
Posted by marinebioman
Ocean Springs, MS
Member since Feb 2005
3396 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:50 am to
Fishing is terrible there. Don't waste your time.
Posted by stoms
Coastal
Member since May 2012
1729 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 12:47 pm to
Cat Island can be really good. I'd suggest getting there incredibly early. Every year there are more and more pleasure boaters that hurt fishing. Smugglers cove used to be a great area and now it's a parking lot. Grass beds on south west side can be good but it gets shallow. Little Bay can be good for trout or reds. Surf on west beach can be good. Most really hardcore fisherman go west to LA waters to escape the pleasure boating crowd and pressure.
Posted by redneck
Los Suenos, Costa Rica
Member since Dec 2003
53608 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 1:29 pm to
quote:

If you catch it at the right time of year (Migration), you might have a shot at a Cobia out there.


hooked up to one last year on trout gear. It didn't last but a few seconds before it broke the line at the reel but it was awesome watching it take off and go nuts
Posted by bluemoons
the marsh
Member since Oct 2012
5514 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 3:19 pm to
quote:

Cat Island can be really good. I'd suggest getting there incredibly early. Every year there are more and more pleasure boaters that hurt fishing. Smugglers cove used to be a great area and now it's a parking lot. Grass beds on south west side can be good but it gets shallow. Little Bay can be good for trout or reds. Surf on west beach can be good. Most really hardcore fisherman go west to LA waters to escape the pleasure boating crowd and pressure.


I agree with all of that. I just started fishing there a few years ago because one of my best friends has a camp over in PC. I used to go out to Cat Island a lot when I was a kid though, and it was rare to see a boat. Since I started fishing the island again recently, the boat traffic has increased noticeably.

That said, I've found that with Cat Island, a lot of people can fish it, but only a few are going to really catch fish. The area is hit or miss, and I find that the normal go-to spots get beaten up pretty badly by both boats and wade fishermen. I've done the best out there by trying different things and getting away from those spots. Look for changes in water depth, current lines, bait, etc. There are lots of sharks and bull reds on the flat, so we normally avoid that too. Like someone else said earlier, the birdcage is also a cool spot. I don't really fish it that often, but we've caught trout, flounder, reds, and mangroves all in one sitting. If you're not getting bites, move. Don't sit in the same spot and wait.

I don't really have an issue putting this stuff on the internet, because it's like I said...the area is really hit or miss, and even when it hits, most of the boats out there won't be catching much. Don't focus on individual spots so much as you do the how's and why's of the fish, which is really advice that translates to all types and areas of fishing. Frankly, if you're looking for a more consistent area that's a little bit easier to figure out, I'd head to Isle au Pitre and fish the marsh and islands out there. Even if you don't catch fish though, Cat Island is a cool place. I haven't been out there yet this year and I miss it.
This post was edited on 5/11/16 at 3:24 pm
Posted by redneck
Los Suenos, Costa Rica
Member since Dec 2003
53608 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 4:09 pm to
quote:

I haven't been out there yet this year and I miss it.


I've been out there twice on day trips to fish it but both weekends I've tried to make camping trips the weather has been straight up shite. We usually get about 20-30 friends out there on our camping trips between about 5-6 boats and just have a good time on the island all weekend.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
39000 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 4:39 pm to
quote:

I'd head to Isle au Pitre


And Flatboat Key. Not sure if any of the Shorething charters post on fishing forums, but their catch reports might help (they actually run a lodge on Cat Island). Or you could just hire Tusa and get the beta first hand.
Posted by bluemoons
the marsh
Member since Oct 2012
5514 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 4:40 pm to
quote:


And Flatboat Key


You'll find plenty company there too, but there's a whole lot of untouched marsh around Isle au Pitre that has just as much fish as Flatboat.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
39000 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 4:43 pm to
You should plan an evening of dinner and drinks in BSL. We have a good time over this way.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
39000 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 4:48 pm to
You going to fish the upcoming Fais Do Do? My friends put in on, and it's always s good time.
This post was edited on 5/11/16 at 4:54 pm
Posted by bluemoons
the marsh
Member since Oct 2012
5514 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 8:03 pm to
Nah man probably not. I'll talk to my buddy about it though.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
39000 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 8:36 pm to
Party in the marina....y'all should at least fish and come pass a good one.
This post was edited on 5/11/16 at 8:45 pm
Posted by Purple Spoon
Hoth
Member since Feb 2005
17824 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 10:12 pm to
The best time I ever had for specks was on CI

Wade fishing the north West side

Very slow till an hour before dark and the top water bite caught fire. 4 of us limited out on fat arse trout. They were hitting top dogs so hard two of us including me took the hooks off just to watch the strikes.

Haven't see anything like it there since.
Posted by Chuker
St George, Louisiana
Member since Nov 2015
7544 posts
Posted on 5/11/16 at 11:25 pm to
Any thoughts on kayaking out there? I know people do it but people can be dumb.
Posted by lsuson
Metairie
Member since Oct 2013
12179 posts
Posted on 5/12/16 at 12:04 am to
Yeah if you have a mother ship
Posted by cave canem
pullarius dominus
Member since Oct 2012
12186 posts
Posted on 5/12/16 at 2:46 am to
quote:

Cat Island can be really good. I'd suggest getting there incredibly early. Every year there are more and more pleasure boaters that hurt fishing. Smugglers cove used to be a great area and now it's a parking lot.


During the week smuglers cove is still ok to fish, during the weekend just take your grill and a vollyball net because there will be everything from sportfishers to jet ski's running around.

go to horn or east ship instead.
Posted by Purple Spoon
Hoth
Member since Feb 2005
17824 posts
Posted on 5/12/16 at 6:42 am to
That is a long arse way in a yak and it's open water all the way. If you feel awesome about you weather man skills go ahead.
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