MS among top states for 2026 Angler’s Choice Awards. Here are the winning captains
Mississippi was among the top states with 2026 Angler’s Choice Awards from FishingBooker, and nine of those awards were given to Biloxi captains.
The award is given to captains that earn above 4.8-star ratings from 10 or more verified reviews, have a 98% reliability and response rate and have full business verification for passenger safety for four consecutive quarters, according to FishingBooker.
About 791 captains from across the world on the FishingBooker platform received the 2026 Angler’s Choice Award. Biloxi had 75% of the state’s total winners, maintaining a reliability rating of 98% throughout 2025, FishingBooker analysts said.
“Biloxi is the heart of the Gulf Coast fishing scene. To have nine captains in a single city meet these rigorous global standards is an incredible achievement. These guides are the reason Biloxi is a world-class destination for anglers,” Vukan Simic, CEO of FishingBooker, said in an April 9 news release.
Who are the 2026 Biloxi winners?
These are the Biloxi-based Angler’s Choice Award winners for 2026, according to FishingBooker:
- Brandon Morano, Shearwater Charters
- Ryan Rockholt, Biloxi Boy Charters
- Michael Allen, High Times Charters
- Connor Pickich, Backyard Charters
- Andrew Whitman, Blackdot Charters
- Frank Becker, Skipper Charters
- Leonard Dodd, Captain Leo’s Fish’n Charters
- Angela Holland, Happy Fishing Charters
- Let’s Go Fishing Charter And Guide Services
How many MS captains won compared to other states?
Mississippi had the sixth-highest share of captains who earned Angler’s Choice Awards in 2026, according to FishingBooker. These are the top 10 states with award recipients:
1. Colorado, 25% share of annual Angler’s Choice Award winners
2. Wyoming, 20%
3. Tennessee, 18.6%
4. Arizona, 16.6%
5. Virginia, 15.7%
6. Mississippi, 15.3%
7. California, 14.6%
8. Alabama, 14.3%
9. Utah, 14.2%
10. Florida, 13.6%
