Northern Gulf Kayak Adventure

In October, a group of kayak-fishing enthusiasts descended upon Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, for a Hobie/Sport Fishing kayak adventure with Shore Thing Charters. We pedaled our way to shallow-water redfish, trout, bull sharks and more.

With assistance in planning from Mississippi Tourism, six of us met up at the Hollywood Casino and Resort in Bay Saint Louis and after having way too much at a late dinner, caught up with captains Sonny Schindler and Matt Tusa early the next morning at the Long Beach Harbor Yacht Club (marina).

From there it was about a seven-mile run southeast across the Mississippi Sound to Cat Island, the largest westernmost island off Mississippi, to a big private home owned by Dr. Don Gaddy of Gulfport (who, being an enthusiastic angler himself, joined us part of the time). Once there we got to work unpacking a ton of gear pre-shipped: Okuma reels/rods, Yo-Zuri lures, Plano waterproof tackle boxes, Eagle Claw hooks and pliers, then loading up six Hobie kayaks - three Outbacks and three Pro-Anglers - in two bay boats. And then...we went fishing!

(Note: To read more details about this trip, watch for the full feature in SF's kayak-fishing issue, this April)

Photographer
Jason Arnold is an award winning Florida-based photographer who has captivated audiences of all generations. Being a third generation commercial fisherman, he learned to respect marine wildlife at a very young age. His passion for the sea continued as he spent his formative years as a professional surfer. Through his photography, Jason captures the life and essence of the marine world through his one-of-a-kind fish portraits.