re: Mississippi inshore fishing boat recommendations

Listen to Neck if you’re on a budget.

I have a 22’ Blazer, fish out of BSL and have had my butt whipped a buch coming back from Cat or the BM. I go out to Brush Island by myself- but no way I’m going in the Sound in a canoe.

Thanks fellas.

I’ve been on many rides back from Cat and Ship that were a little rough, but nothing that was too memorable.

Think I may buy a kayak and go from there. While I know there is another thread, I welcome comments re: best kayak for Mississippi inshore fishing. Ease of getting the kayak into the water is nice, but I really question how much fish I’d Actually catch.

The reefs just offshore out front could produce some trout and reds I imagine. Those wouldn’t be terrible to get to. I bet I’d spend most of my time paddling around to a decent spot. Just seems like a lot of work.

I could’ve started this same thread as I have all the same questions. Debating between Gheenoe and flats boat. I’m leaning flats boat because I’d like to be able to carry up to 3 people if it comes down to it. Been watching videos of Gheenoes in chop and they take on a good bit of water if it’s rough. I’ll be a first time boat owner and like the idea of something that small because I figure it’ll be easier to launch and trailer, but I’d hate to drop 7-9k and then have a boat that’s uncomfortable for what I want to do, or has severe limitations. Boat shopping is hard af. I want something I can fish the MS coast with but also small enough to handle panhandle rivers as I’m anticipating a Florida move in the next 2-3 years

Kayak is out of the question for me. Love them and owned one for years, but you need a honey hole and it needs to be near a launch. All of my spots like that are in Florida. For fishing in Alabama and MS I need to cover some water to find them. TA, you can ride with me when I get one. Hows the old saying go, why get a boat if you know a guy with a boat

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Think I may buy a kayak and go from there. While I know there is another thread, I welcome comments re: best kayak for Mississippi inshore fishing. Ease of getting the kayak into the water is nice, but I really question how much fish I’d Actually catch.

The reefs just offshore out front could produce some trout and reds I imagine. Those wouldn’t be terrible to get to. I bet I’d spend most of my time paddling around to a decent spot. Just seems like a lot of work.

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Kayak fishing is definitely harder. I'm more satisfied when I catch 6-8 solid trout in my kayak vs a limit in the boat. It's more work on getting to the spot, staying on the spot, trying not to get run over by some dumbass drunk, etc. BUT, it makes you learn a lot more about certain spots, since you are pretty much committed to the spot you pick that day.

Those reefs out front are great (at the right time) and if you pick the right spot, you can fish more than one from the same launch spot. I've also caught my largest trout ever, out front in a kayak, during a time when there "shouldn't" have been any big trout hanging around there.

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Still think you need a microskiff like what I pictired or a delta craft, Reno... You can run crab traps, throw a cast net...and you can leave all of your crap in there when trailering/storing. Kayaks are a PITA to unload and portage. Coolest Campagna I've seen was loaded for bear in a guy's garage. You can get those boats really dialed in, where everything is functional and straight to the point. No frills at it's finest, and super skinny.

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This can be true, but you also don't have to screw with gas/oil, motor, trailer maintenance, registration, trailer tag, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love fishing my little lite boat, but when it comes to ease of use and time, the kayak wins for me. I can be back at the house and have gear and fish cleaned up by 10am.

Check out a panga skiff. It might not be enough to battle a bad day in the sound, but would be great for marsh, bays and backwaters.

And it gets the Somali pirates’ seal of approval.

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Every single year several people die in the MS Sound due to being there in a poor choice of watercraft.

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Boston Whalers don't sink. I think its a pretty safe craft. However, uncomfortable in a chop.

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but people who nail their head and aren't wearing a life jacket will surely sink.

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would happen regardless of what vessel they are on.

Ms. sound can be dangerous but it isn't the North Sea.