Mississippi Sound

[dnice]

So, I just moved down here and I am quickly realizing that the MS Sound is an ideal place for daysailors.

The MS Sound stretches from the mouth of the MS (LA) all the way to Mobile AL. Its very shallow (ranging from 3' to 10' in most places) and has plenty of sites to see. There are barrier islands just 7 to 10 miles off the coast which have an abundance of incredible fishing, oyster reefs, beautiful beaches, and safe anchorages. The islands incorporate the Gulf Islands National Seashore and remain relatively untouched.

But because of those islands the MS Sound stays as calm as any bay on any day of the year. We get plenty of wind (so far) and its big enough that no matter how many people are out that day, you still get the place to yourself.

So whether you are an avid daysailor or looking for a private weekend trip, this is a great place to be.

That explains all the sailboats here :) I'll have to post some pictures when I get them, but as far as I can tell, sailing is the major hobby for a good portion of the population around here. I am hoping to begin meeting some sailing folks and maybe even get out there a few times this summer.

If anyone has experience sailing around here I would be interested to here about it.
And if anyone is in the area this summer, look me up :)

NOAA Chart

[Captain Smollett]

Yep, some good times there...

One Trip on the Sound

[chris2998]

I'm gonna have to get down there to the coast some this summer been awhile since i've gone down there during the summer. Gonna have to rip the top off the jeep and take a drive

Dnice I can't find Gulfport on that map is it way further west?? from Pascagoula? I assume Pascagoula if like on the border with AL?

[dnice]

Yep, some good times there...

One Trip on the Sound

Excellent! I thought I scoured  this site, I guess there is much more here than I know :)
(Maybe I should use the search function once in a while!)

I'm gonna have to get down there to the coast some this summer been awhile since i've gone down there during the summer. Gonna have to rip the top off the jeep and take a drive

Dnice I can't find Gulfport on that map is it way further west?? from Pascagoula? I assume Pascagoula if like on the border with AL?

Yes its further west. Between Biloxi and Bay St. Louis. here
I live in the Long Beach area. I'd be happy to show you around but keep in mind I'm still new here and don't know much :) Hopefully by summertime I'll be more aquainted and maybe have some sailing friends and that sort of thing....

[chris2998]

Yeah I've seen the exit for Long beach, I have passed it many times when going to the casinos in Biloxi. A friend of mine goes that way alot and says there's tons of stuff to do down there

Looking at the maop that looks like a great area for a sailboat and though not good and protected for a hurricane either

[dnice]

Yeah I've seen the exit for Long beach, I have passed it many times when going to the casinos in Biloxi. A friend of mine goes that way alot and says there's tons of stuff to do down there

Looking at the maop that looks like a great area for a sailboat and though not good and protected for a hurricane either

I would think its not protected too, but the Long Beach Marina is directly on the coast.. no bay. I'm sure any boats there during katrina didn't fare to well, but for normal storms this entire area is pretty well protected by the barrier islands. Just yesterday there was a storm that lasted about 30 minutes but had gusts over 40mph. No problems.  I'm sure when hurricanes show up, people move their boats to Mobile Bay or maybe LA.., just a guess though.

As far as what your friend says... there is nothing to do here :) nothing except fishing and boating. The casino's in Biloxi (and one in gulfport) offer some entertainment if you're into that sort of thing, other than that there is nothing else.
This is a good thing though, I am used to FL where if there is a beach then there is tourists.... This not a tourist  type of place, is very peaceful and you can enjoy the water without any hassles.

The fishing is excellent. This is the first year since Katrina that they opened up fishing piers. And if you have a boat, you have plenty to do. But, there is always the usual lazying on the beach thing :D We currently hold the record for the worlds longest and largest man made beach (I think its around 26 miles or so).

So far, its my kindof place.... I just need some sailing to round things out :D

[chris2998]

yeah my friend is more into the casino's so maybe that is what he's thinking as there's alot to do.

I was thinking the same thing people probally take there boat to like LA for more protection. I would love to go fishing in MS but I don't know why but have heard for years MS and LA are always competeing with fishing licenses so the license there for me being outta state is so freaking high for like a year although I guess I could get it for a few days and maybe cheaper in the long run and have thought about that. I know when I was about 8 or so my dad would take me there fishing in I think it was called Clare Mont Harbor which I loved and remembering catching the biggest dam flounder and still to this day haven't caught one that big. I know now there is the huge Silver Slipper Casino near it and my grandpa had a camp there which thank god he sold because I think Katrina leveled the camp all that was standing was the toilet. Alot of memories around that area.

I think that is what I'll do maybe in the next couiple of weekends depending on whats going on I'll have to take a drive out that way during the day and cruise the beach. Glad you started this thread got me thinking alot of all those memories of when I was a kid. Thanks

[CharlieJ]

We've traversed Mississippi Sound twice now on cruises from here to Florida and return. From behind Rabbit Island at the Rigolets, through Lake Bourne to Lake Yazoo at Passcagoula and on into Florida. Anchored off Horn Island, Ship Island and one other that I'd need the log book for the name.

Edit- Found the name- Pettit Bois Island

Stayed in Biloxi and as a guest in the yacht club in Gulfport. That yacht club was devastated by Katrina, but is being rebuilt.

In Biloxi we stayed one night in the Cadet Point Marina, which at that time was the ONLY remaining marina in Biloxi  -of 5 marinas- after Katrina.

Great sailing, but I would have reservations about the sentence "MS Sound stays as calm as any bay on any day of the year"

We were anchored off Horn one night when the wind went west so we lost our lee and blew stink- like 30 to 40. We took breaking waves over the bow twice during the night. Next day we were totally becalmed ::)

If it all goes per plan, we'll be traversing the Sound again this summer- we'll be visiting friends in Gulfport, Passcagoula and Mobile - We'll perhaps spend a few days on the Pearl River exploring. Maybe we can meet up during the time we are in the Sound.

[chris2998]

Charlie, I've been in Lake Bourne and the been to the rigolets lots, there's some dam good fishing in the rigolets. I work around the rigolets

[CharlieJ]

You should recognize this then ;)

[chris2998]

oh yeah I've fished under that bridge many times actually where this picture is taken I think I have been because it just makes a loop from the main canal and I think one part you can go up the Pearl River. This is a really nice area to fish you don't need a really big boat and are pretty well protected if it were to get ruff amd you're not far at all from the launch

Were you on you're sailboat here?? I could have sworn it was pretty shallow there for a sailboat

[CharlieJ]

Yeah- on the boat. That's our anchorage of choice when leaving NOLA eastbound. It's really the last anchorage you can easily make after spending time negotiating Harvey (or Algiers) and Industrial locks, plus the Florida Ave Bridge. Once you leave there it's several hours before the next good anchorage and we're usually pretty tired by then. We normally have come from Barataria that day.

We anchor in the loop behind Rabbit Island, just in past the big wrecked platform that's ashore on the east bank. We've found 7 to 8 feet of water in there. Don't have a picture of our actual anchorage- sorry. But the tow boats come in to the mouth and drop barges so we knew there was water there. Besides- on our first trip we were shown the place by the editor of a magazine about commercial shipping- She was familiar with it.  Nice, quiet anchorage, EXCEPT when the trains come through ;D

[chris2998]

I was thinking the exact thing, one of these days when I live my dream up I think that would make a great anchorage before heading out to the Gulf.
Dumb question here but is there a certain channel to get ahold of the bridge operators for opening the bridge for you?? I have always been currious of this.
owning a small fishing boat you never need to worry just go under the bridge like it's nothing.

[CharlieJ]

Yep- there is a  specific channel for bridges, and locks. But it varies depending on where you are. For example the hailing frequency east of the Mississippi River and west of Galveston Bay is channel 16. Between Galveston and NOLA, it's channel 13. That's the channels you use to talk to the tow boats passing you and that you are passing. But different bridges also monitor different frequencies. I have all this written down on the boat. Unfortunately I'm not on the boat right now ;D But the charts often have the freqs listed by the bridge info on the chart. Usually 13 or 16 will work

Most of the locks however, operate on chan 14.

Of course for bridges, you can also use the sound signals- one long and one short blast from a horn- make it a LOUD horn ;) Won't work for locks, but they often have phone numbers shown and can be reached by cell phone. I've done that once or twice.

[dnice]

Great sailing, but I would have reservations about the sentence "MS Sound stays as calm as any bay on any day of the year"

You're right, its not ALWAYS bay-like conditions. Actually its quite different than a bay since its only partially protected. The waves roll in, even though they are usually under 1 foot, its a bit different than the light chop that a bay gets. But it is protected pretty well by the islands, I would suspect a really bad rough day would be in the upper 2 foot range wind swells :)

Here is a pic of a pretty rough day... This is after a few days of storms and the previous day had 40+mph winds.


I am sure it can get worse. It certainly is not a bay. I have noticed that conditions can change pretty quickly too. I imagine that out by the islands it could be a completely different story as well... I'll have to go see :)

Some more pics:

Here is a normal days conditions - viewed from the POV fishcam


Long Beach Marina. Probably can't see it, but there is a nice little CD-28 in this picture.


All the yacht clubs are open now, but the Pass Christan and the Long Beach yacht clubs are both just now getting their buildings finished up and their doors open... Just in time for summer, and only 3.5 years after the strom  :-[
The good news is, everything is brand spankin' new and shiny for all those dues paying members to enjoy :)

typical gulfport sunset. too bad its not really over the water.... I miss Florida already! :'(

[mrb]

I learned to sail on Lake Pontchartrain, Nice area :) :) Sailed down by Fort Pike.  Before Katrina you could pull in behind the fort. They had a launch and dock there. Pretty laid back in the 60's and 70's.

All that thin water there can pick up pretty good when you get a consistent wind from one direction.  The sound can be nice and smooth and outside the islands is something diffrent altogether.  The Islands used to do fair job of protecting the coast but Camile and then Katrina showed what can happen when your not prepared.  A lot of boats lost because people forgot what a 20+ surge can do.

One of the great losses among the many are the loss of the great seafood cooks that learned the trade from family and long association with the area.  Some one from Kansas or wherever is never going to learn how to make stuffed crab or crawfish bisque from a cook book.

Still dnice you have indeed landed in a great water world and wish you many years of great exploring the back waters of the Gulf Coast. In the past I would have advised you to visit every ratty hole looking restraint and sandwich shop you could find. The best seafood in the world.  Get out to the Islands and explore all the marshes you can.

melvin

[Guard Bum]

I've been boating/fishing in the MS Sound for 15 years now and it is much less protected now than it has ever been.  This is a great boating area, but you just have to watch the weather closely.  Many days it is flat enough for pirogue  (PEE ROW) and jet ski's to make the barrier islands (jet ski's no longer allowed) and others I've been in 4-6 footers that rolled in with little warning associated with afternoon thunderstorm.  You used to be able to seek safe harbor on the appropriate side if the barriers islands, but they don't provide the protection they used to.

Lots of open space deep enough for coastal cruising and the barrier islands are very nice to anchor off of and spend the day with the family.  Nice beaches and much nicer water than on the coast.  Many new marina's are under construction now and they will hav more slips and services than pre-katrina; several have already re-opened in varied capacities.

I would encourage anyone to come on down and enjoy some South Mississippi hospitality.  Great local restaurants, casino's, nice golf courses and the Big Easy is only a hour or so away.  There is some shallow water so remember, as always, to check your charts.

See you on the water.

[chris2998]

I work about 5-8 miles from Fort Pike which I think it is still closed. I had to take that route through the rigalettes a couple of days ago due to the twinspans being shutdown. It didn't look like the fort was open but all that area is great for fishing and would be nice with a sailboat but thinking alot of it is very shallow

[dnice]

Some more hurricane damage photos...  It really blows me away how large scale Katrina was. I've been in several bad ones before in FLA, but nothing has ever covered this much area and destroyed so much property as katrina.



I find it strange to even be mentioning katrina after 4 years. When I lived in FLA, a bad one would hit, even really bad, and by the next year we would be back in business as usual... And after living in NOLA for Katrina and moving around ever since... The scale of it still doesn't really register in my brain.

But fishing from what used to be a private boat dock, and parking my van in what used to be somebodies house, almost a hundred miles away from the storm I lived through in NOLA, really brings it into perspective.

What really opens my eyes is the lack of rebuilding. Everything west of me (and east of New Orleans) is just gone... and there are only 1 or 2 houses being rebuilt in neighborhoods of what used to be 50+ houses. There is almost no business being rebuilt, and the people that didn't have to rebuild are either gone or suffering, STILL! 4 years later! Its almost impossible to believe if you are not witnessing it yourself.

Anyway, it was terrible, and we should move on right?......................

Here is one more reminder of what katrina left behind, and even more of a reminder of what is still left behind 4 years later.

[chris2998]

nice pictures, I to have the same problem, it happened four years ago and I still find myself sometimes talking about it even though I wasn't here. I was living in Colorado at the time but I think a month after it hit I moved back home to help my dad fix the house and to go back to school. Glad I came back I realised I truely did miss the water. I love it all the fishing and great food. I don't think I will ever go back to the mountains I love the water way to much it has taken me a while to realize this. The entire planet is surrounded by water what better way to see the world then by boat you know?? ok enough of the tree hugger talk sorry. lol