Catch More Fish with Science

Presented by The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]our evening seminars featuring scientists, professional fishing guides, and local experts. Hosted by Sam Clardy and Ben Weldon from GCRL’s Marine Education Center
Winter red drum, caught and released in the Gulf in December.

Marine scientists from GCRL and local professional fishing guides and experts are teaming up to offer a series of four evening seminars that will help you catch more fish. You’ll learn about the habits and movements of local game fish and discover how to recognize where fish are lurking and why they’re there. Marine scientists will share no-nonsense scientific facts about what fish eat and when they eat, and explain how time of day, tide state, water temperature and salinity, and moon phase affect the movements and appetites of popular game fish.
The seminars will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on four Thursday evenings during March through June. The fee is $25 per session. You may register online.

March 20 – Use Science to Put More Fish in Your Cooler
Harriet Perry, Senior Research Scientist in GCRL’s Center for Fisheries Research and Development, will share the scientific facts about where and how to find and catch the Mississippi Grand Slam – speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. Captain Sonny Schindler of Shore Things Charters will talk about fishing techniques and tackle and share some of his secrets to having a successful fishing day. You’ll discover what “The Bite” actually is and how to predict when it’s going to be “on.”

April 17 – The Secrets to Catching More Cobia
The session will begin with a scientific description of the migratory patterns of cobia and where you’ll be most likely to find them during the year, followed by information on their diet and habits. Then local fishing experts will tell you about bait, lures, tackle, and techniques to use to land these big fish.

May 22 – Catch More Specks
Speckled trout are the most popular game fish on the Gulf Coast and one of the very best fish for the table. The techniques for catching them are as varied as the habitats where you’ll find them. You’ll learn where to look for specks at various times of the year and how to catch them.

June 19 – Add Tripletail to Your List of Targeted Species
Tripletail, or blackfish, show up in our waters every year, usually in May, and remain until the early fall. They are unlike any other game fish and it takes a little knowledge and a few tricks to find and catch them. Learn the secrets of tripletail fishing and you’ll be on your way to landing these unusual fish.

Have Questions? Call a marine education specialist at 228.818.8890 or email us at marine.education@usm.edu