Gulf Coast Outpost Business Spotlight
Established in 2003, Shore Thing Charters (STC) is Mississippi’s largest charter service. They have seven 24-26 ft. boats available. Their local, knowledgeable guides take care of everything. Live bait, rods n’ reels, water, snacks, fish cleaning and fuel are all included on every trip. Their guides are licensed to fish in Mississippi and Louisiana waters. They fish the Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay St. Louis, the Biloxi Marsh (LA Marsh) and the barrier islands. Typically, the trips fish for speckled trout, red fish, black drum, triple tail, flounder, sheepshead, sharks and several other species.
Shore Thing also runs all-inclusive overnight trips to a magnificent three-story house on Cat Island. For the past eight years, the “Cat Island Experience” has been all the rave. Fishing, food and fun are the major themes. There is no other operation like this in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The Shore Thing crew has also been taking groups birding. The barrier islands, marshes and shorelines along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are teeming with birds and other wildlife. Photographers and birding enthusiasts have been able to see birds that are not found anywhere else on these excursions.
Recently, Shore Thing Charters was recognized as a Gulf Coast Outpost for being a leader in sustainability for their conservation efforts. STC guides assist with the Gulf of Mexico Marine Fisheries Council, the MDMR Charter for Hire Task Force and the Gear Task Force. Captain Sonny Schindler, an owner of STC, said, “Shore Thing participated in numerous activities to help promote conservation. In the last few years, our guides have assisted in triple tail tagging and collection for aquaculture programs. They have also done work with Cobia, mangrove snapper, flounder and red fish. Just this year, our guides have tagged over 400 fish.”
The Gulf Coast Outpost business recognition program is part of the 2016 Nature-Based Tourism Plan for Coastal Mississippi. It was developed for the Heritage Area by stakeholders in the industry. Business owners and operators are recognized through a checklist that focuses on training, sustainability and stewardship. The program is aimed at those companies whose primary business is dependent on the natural environment in Mississippi’s six coastal counties. This includes eco-tours, locally owned outfitters, charter boat operators, tour guides, eco-lodges and agritourism entities. To become recognized as a GCO, email heritage@dmr.ms.gov.
To book a trip with Shore Thing Charters, visit shorethingcharters.com
