Family Inshore Fishing Charter in Venice, LA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Familyfriendly inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and sheepsheadAll equipment, fuel, and comfortable seating provided aboardEducational experience with Captain Louis in Venice backwaters
Looking for the perfect way to get the whole family hooked on fishing? Captain Louis Thornton's family-friendly inshore charter in Venice, Louisiana is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical hardcore fishing trip—it's designed specifically for families who want to experience the magic of Louisiana's backwaters without any pressure or stress. Whether you're dealing with first-time anglers or seasoned kids who already love casting a line, Captain Louis creates that sweet spot where everyone feels comfortable and excited to be on the water.
Venice's inshore waters are like a natural playground for families, and Captain Louis knows every productive spot in these scenic backwaters. You'll be fishing the calm, protected areas where the water stays comfortable and the action stays consistent. The boat comes equipped with shade and plenty of seating, so parents can relax while kids get their hands dirty with some real Louisiana fishing. All your tackle and equipment is provided, which means you just show up ready to have fun. Captain Louis takes pride in creating that educational atmosphere where everyone learns something new, whether it's how to properly set the hook or why these fish love hanging around certain structures. The best part? Fuel costs are already rolled into your trip price, so there are no surprise expenses when you get back to the dock.
Inshore fishing in Venice is all about reading the water and understanding fish behavior, but don't worry—Captain Louis handles the technical stuff while teaching you the basics. You'll be using light tackle that's perfect for family fishing, making it easy for smaller hands to manage while still providing enough backbone to handle those feisty redfish. Most of your fishing will involve bottom fishing and sight casting around grass beds, oyster reefs, and shallow flats where these fish love to feed. The captain will show you how to feel for that telltale tap of a black drum or the aggressive strike of a hungry redfish. Live bait and cut bait both work well in these waters, and Captain Louis adjusts his approach based on what the fish are wanting that particular day. Kids especially love learning how to read their rod tip and understand when something's happening down below.
Black Drum are the perfect starter fish for family trips because they're plentiful, fight hard, and aren't too picky about what they eat. These drum hang around oyster beds and shallow flats year-round in Venice, with the bigger ones showing up during cooler months. They've got that distinctive drumming sound they make when you reel them in, which always gets kids excited. Black drum are great teachers too—they'll let you know when you've got a bite, but they won't rip the rod out of your hands.
Redfish are Louisiana's poster child for inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, beautiful, and put up a memorable fight that gets everyone pumped up. In Venice's backwaters, you'll find them cruising the grass beds and ambushing bait around structure. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, though they bite year-round. What makes reds special for families is their willingness to eat just about anything you put in front of them, plus that distinctive black spot near their tail makes for great photos.
Sea Trout add some finesse to your family fishing adventure. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and drop-offs around Venice, especially during warmer months. They're known for their delicate mouths, so Captain Louis will teach everyone the importance of a gentle hook set. Sea trout make excellent eating too, which means your successful fishing trip can extend into a family fish fry back home.
Sheepshead are the masters of structure fishing, hanging around pilings, reefs, and any hard bottom they can find. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait stealers, which makes them perfect for teaching kids about patience and timing. They're most active during cooler months and provide some of the best table fare you'll find in Louisiana waters. Their human-like teeth always get a reaction from first-time anglers.
Tripletail are the bonus fish that can turn a good day into an amazing day. These unique-looking fish love floating around debris and structure, often looking like floating leaves until they decide to strike. They're not as common as the other species, but when you hook into one, their acrobatic fight creates memories that last forever. Captain Louis keeps his eyes peeled for tripletail opportunities throughout the year.
Captain Louis Thornton's family inshore charter offers everything you need for that perfect introduction to Louisiana fishing. With comfortable seating, all equipment provided, and a captain who genuinely enjoys teaching families about fishing, this trip delivers real value for families looking to create lasting memories on the water. The calm backwaters around Venice provide the ideal setting for first-time anglers to build confidence while experienced family members can enjoy the consistent action and beautiful scenery. Your base price covers up to two people with options to add more family members, and with fuel included, you'll know exactly what you're paying upfront. Don't wait for the perfect time—Louisiana's inshore fishing is productive year-round, and Captain Louis is ready to show your family why Venice is considered one of the top family fishing destinations in the Gulf South.
Captain Louis runs a sweet 30-foot custom center console that's built for Venice's inshore waters. Twin 300 HP Yamahas give you plenty of power to reach those productive fishing spots quickly, while the spacious layout keeps everyone comfortable during the day. The boat comes equipped with GPS to navigate the maze of Louisiana's coastal marshes and a VHF radio for safety. A quality bait tank keeps your live shrimp and crabs fresh, which is key when targeting those hungry redfish and black drums lurking in the shallows. The center console design offers great visibility for spotting fish and birds working, plus there's plenty of room to move around when fighting fish. Perfect setup for families wanting to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our Louisiana marshes, ranging from eating-size 5-10 pounders up to bruisers pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, barrel-shaped fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their powerful jaws - you'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season in spring. They hang around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat when other fish won't bite. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom - they're not coming up to chase anything.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the ultimate offshore prize, typically running 2-8 pounds with some genuine trophy fish over 20 pounds. These bright red beauties live around hard bottom, wrecks, and rigs in 60-200 feet of water. Federal season runs just a few days each year, making every trip count when it opens in June. What anglers love is their hard-fighting nature and premium table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's restaurant quality. They'll test your tackle with powerful runs back to structure. The secret is getting fresh bait like cigar minnows or squid down fast to the bottom before the sharks find it. Use heavy tackle and be ready to muscle them away from the wreck once hooked, or they'll cut you off in the structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water game, averaging 20-28 inches with that signature copper color and black spot near the tail. These bronze beauties cruise 1-4 foot flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges where they'll eat just about anything - shrimp, crabs, mullet, you name it. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. Families love reds because they fight hard, stay hooked well, and the slot-size fish make fantastic eating with mild, firm meat. They're also perfect for sight fishing when you can see their backs cruising the shallows. My go-to trick is working a gold spoon along marsh grass lines where the water drops from 2 to 4 feet - that's where they ambush baitfish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, typically running 14-18 inches with occasional 3-4 pound beauties. These spotted silver fish cruise grass flats and shallow bayous, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they school up in deeper holes during winter cold snaps. What families love about specks is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps - plus they're hands down one of the best eating fish in these waters with delicate, flaky meat. The key is working soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. Just remember not to overcook them - their tender meat gets mushy fast.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our coolest catches - they look like floating leaves until you get close to these chunky, mottled brown fish. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we see some pushing 15+ pounds around crab traps and channel markers. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're cruising near the surface around structure and debris lines. What makes them special is their unique looks and surprising fight for such a chunky fish - they'll jump and run when hooked. The meat rivals red snapper with firm, white fillets that are hard to beat. They're sight fishing at its finest since you can see them floating near the surface. Key tip: cast well past them and work your bait slowly back - they spook easily but can't resist a well-presented shrimp or crab.
Venice