I was stationed 4 years at Keesler. Fished Ship and Cat islands with a 13' Taylor craft runabout and Scott Atwater 22 hp engine. Best was launching at Gulfport and you head straight out to Cat, about 10 miles, and are heading into the waves. Don't get in a big hurry if the waves are rolling...usual occurrence in the summer. For Ship, leave from E. Biloxi and round Pine Tree Island....which is a good Speckled trout/Flounder fishing in the afternoons, anchored on the south side, couple hundred yards South area.....usually rough however but great fishing. Specs on live shrimp, Flounder on dead shrimp fishing on the bottom).
Coming back in, ride the waves. You will crest a wave and the bow will dig into the next one, shed some water to both sides and ride up and over it just to dive int the nest one. Correct speed is systematic with the roll of the waves.
Or if you are in a hurry going and coming, quarter the waves up on plane running in the 20-25 mph area. Do a zig zag, like ships used to do during the war...only shorter zigs and zags. Make turns at the crest of the wave and make them abruptly.
Great sport, live shrimp on a popping cork, up in the N side of Cat.....which is also out of the wind and waves and smooth water.
Or get out a Hieler Jig Rig, lead head, nylon skirt dual bait, one in front of the other about 6-8" one white, one yellow. get between Cat and Ship and let out a hundred yards of line on a slow troll for Spanish Mackrell.....one of the finest fish you ever put in your mouth. However, the sand sharks are usually there and sometimes you come in with only the first half of the fish....but that fillets out ok too, just less of it.
Squalls are pop up, intense thunder storms that pop up rain like hell and are gone in 10-15 minutes. You can see them develop and either head in as soon as you see one developing (always keeping an eye on the weather) or just motor back up against Cat where they seldom kick up much wind or waves and wait it out....don't want one of them to spoil your day.......usually a good soaking rain really feels good on summer time hot, muggy, afternoons. Lightening usually accompanies them but never knew of a boat or person getting hit directly.
Good luck.
