in the country. In spring,

the upper reaches

flower with wild azalea

and mountain laurel.

In winter, migratory

birds make it their

home. Depending

on the season and

location, fishermen

cast for bass, bream,

crappie, redfish and

speckled trout.

For more than a

decade, Capt. Benny

McCoy has been

introducing people

to the Pascagoula,

its bayous and

its swamps. He

and brother

Lynn offer

two-hour tours

(228.219.4583

for reservations), including a popular sunset

tour, from the Pascagoula Audubon Center in Moss Point.

When the azaleas bloom and swallow-tailed kites soar overhead, Capt. Benny offers

three- to five-hour trips up the river. On tours, he describes the difference between a

bayou and a swamp, identifies grasses and trees growing along the riverbank, points

out osprey nests and yellow-bellied spiders in lacy webs, and takes the boat close for

a look at an alligator nest while the mother lurks nearby, her watchful eyes barely

showing above the water. You’ll come back knowing more than you did when you left.

Take a Shrimping Trip

The Sailfish never ventures far from land during its 70-minute shrimping excursions

out of Biloxi. But when Capt. Brandy Moore pulls up the net after a 20-minute trawl,

no one notices that the guests could easily swim to shore. All eyes are on the crabs,

puffer fish, tiny squid, toadfish and other creatures pulled in along with the shrimp.

As each is examined, it goes back into the water, except for the shrimp if there are

enough to keep.

Kids love it. So do adults, who get tips on packing and preparing fresh shrimp. Spiced

with information about commercial shrimping, it’s a fun, educational trip. Capt.

Brandy, with husband Capt. Mike Moore, offers the trips (228.392.8645 for times and

reservations) February through November. They also offer three-hour fishing trips to

catch white trout and ground mullet.

Journey to Ship Island

Ship Island Excursions in Gulfport ferries passengers (228.864.1014 for schedule)

11 miles into the Gulf of Mexico to West Ship Island, part of Gulf Islands National

Seashore. The ferry docks at Civil War-era Fort Massachusetts. After touring the fort

you can fish off the pier or make the one-third–mile trip over the boardwalk to the

Gulf. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent March through October, and

a concession sells cold drinks and snacks. Find your own stretch of pristine beach to

look for shells or simply bask in the sun.

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3

4

5

Pascagoula River 1)

Gulfport beach 2)

Mississippi River, Vicksburg Bridge 3)

The Sailfish, Biloxi 4)

Pascagoula River tour – Capt. Benny McCoy 5)

Mississippi Waterways: They’re a Natural

Feature