The Cat Island experience

Mississippi’s barrier islands have long been popular destinations for boaters. Visitors swim, fish and picnic on the sandy beaches, while others camp for days at a time. At Cat Island, however, you can visit with all the comforts of home.

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“We’re going on our sixth year out there,” said Sonny Schindler of Shore Thing Charters, which offers vacation-and-fishing packages at what is known as “the Cat Island house.”

One of few private residences on the island, the house has two master suites, a loft, a large living area and a kitchen. It also offers an open-air first floor with a bar, and a second-floor deck that overlooks an inlet.

“It can fit up to 12 people comfortably,” Schindler said of the home. “Between six and 10 is what we usually recommend.”

While staying on Cat Island, guests are treated to some of the best fishing in the South.

“Of course, they (Shore Thing Charters) are well-known for being the top speckled trout guys on the coast,” said Dr. David Jones of Jackson. “The fishing is world-class.

“We’ve done the Biloxi Marsh, the island, and Chandeleur Sound. They are going to make sure you’re successful and have a good time.”

Cat Island is a prime destination for redfish, speckled trout and flounder. Guests can fish for them whenever and however they want: In addition to Shore Thing’s powerboats, popular methods include wade fishing, kayaking and gigging flounder at night. The island’s unique “T” shape and inland waters provide calm conditions at almost all times.

“We’ve been out there in 30-mile-per-hour winds and done great in the canals,” Schindler said.

On calmer days, anglers can head for the famous Biloxi Marsh in nearby Louisiana waters.

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“It’s some of the best fishing on the planet,” Schindler said. “That area holds an absurd number of speckled trout and redfish. Even though it’s just a few miles from Cat Island, it’s more conducive to making and holding fish.”

In addition to redfish and trout, the area is known for other species such as white trout, black drum, sharks and flounder. In the heat of the summer, anglers target tripletail, which are highly prized for their tender, flaky meat.

“We catch the whole hodge-podge over there consistently,” Schindler said.

When the fishing is done, chef Frank McNeil treats guests to the flavors of the Gulf Coast.

“It is fantastic,” Jones said. “He boils the best shrimp I’ve ever had. He usually does boiled shrimp on Friday night, and on Saturday he cooks the fish we catch. He cooks more food than you can possibly eat, but you want to try because it’s so good.”

In addition to fish and shrimp, McNeil serves up gumbo, étouffée, steaks and, of course, boiled crabs.

“If the customers are up for it, they can run the crab traps,” Schindler said. “He will cook the crabs they caught. That’s been a neat little addition.”

After dinner, Jones said he enjoys the view from the upper deck.

“It’s magnificent,” Jones said. “That’s probably the best part of the day — sitting on the balcony and watching the sunset. You’re just not going to get an experience like that anywhere else in the Gulf.”

While the fishing attracts most guests, others choose different routes to enjoy their stay.

“We have groups that want to explore the island and photograph the island and wildlife,” Schindler said.

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“Coming from Mississippi, you can’t believe how pretty and scenic it is out there. There are tons of live oak trees, pine trees and swamps in the interior. It is beautiful — absolutely beautiful.”

Wildlife of note on the island includes ospreys, bald eagles and the occasional alligator. It is also famous for raccoons.

According to legend, French explorers first named the island “Isle aux Chats,” or Island of Cats, after mistaking the large number of raccoons that inhabited the island for cats. A large population of raccoons is still present, and some are quite bold.

“You can get up close and personal with them,” Schindler said. “They come up to check you out.”

While guests come to relax, fish and get away from it all, others come to mix business with pleasure. Bill Cash of Houston, Texas, finds the Cat Island house an ideal location to have meetings during the day and spend afternoons on the water.

“It’s just more convenient,” Cash said. “It’s just a really nice place. It’s secluded, yet we still have cell service and Internet. And, of course, the fishing. As far as any other place like it? There may be on the coast, but I don’t know of any.”

Schindler said Cash isn’t the only guest who conducts business part of the day and plays during the remainder.

“We actually have groups that come out for two nights, three nights, and they have hours of meetings,” Schindler said. “They bring their laptops and have PowerPoint presentations.

“They love it. Who wouldn’t want to have a meeting out there?”

And getting to the seclusion of Cat Island is also convenient.

“It’s a 20-minute ride (by boat) to the house from Long Beach,” Schindler said. “Even though you can see the skyline of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it’s like you’re in a tropical paradise that’s a hop, skip and a jump from the mainland.”

For more information about Shore Thing Charters and the Cat Island house, visit www.shorethingcharters.com.

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