Shore Thing Fishing Report, 8/16/2023

August 16, 2023

Another week of blistering heat didn’t keep the fish – or the fishermen – away from the docks this week. Getting an early start and staying hydrated are still the elements of success in South Mississippi in August.

- by Sonny Schindler, Shore Thing Fishing Charters

Huge bull red for a lucky gentleman, caught south of Pass Christian.

I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record – or maybe a melted record – but  the heat has been the main focus for our fishing game plan. Wind has been the second hurdle if it is blowing. We have been doing well, but you have to be ready for both.
 

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We are still trying to leave the dock as early as possible. Usually if you haven’t gotten what you need by about 10 am, it’s time to either start moving and looking for a triple tail, or just head in and play it safe.
 

World Champion Turkey caller Preston Pittman and his buddies with a nice tripletail he caught near Cat Island.

 
The Louisiana marsh is still kicking out some trout. We have had a good push of white shrimp come through. The thing about the white shrimp is that they seem to move constantly. Where you caught your fish that morning, they likely will not be there in the afternoon, and especially the next day. Watch for the birds, and when you get near them, watch your depth gauge.
 

Huge bull shark for this lucky young man, caught (and released) in the Louisiana marsh.

 
Almost always, the shallower the water, the better the trout. I’m not saying you can’t catch keeper trout in deeper water, but the catfish factor goes way up the deeper it gets. The white trout have been showing up in the deeper holes. We have been using “Fish Bites” bait strips for the white trout, and they work very well.
 

A happy young lady with a perfect sized “puppy drum” caught under the BSL bridge.

 
The nearshore reefs have had a good many puppy drum and reds, also. Dead or live shrimp have been working well on those tasty critters.
 
The sharks and bull reds have been very thick near the barrier islands and throughout the Louisiana marsh. We are seeing the most action beneath pogies and ladyfish.
 
Please stay safe in this heat. Drink water and don’t take any chances.
 

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