Full Day Nearshore Fishing in Venice, Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday nearshore fishing with Captain Jay Winters in VeniceTarget Jack Crevalle, Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead speciesSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximum
Venice, Louisiana sits at the end of the road where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico, creating some of the most productive nearshore fishing waters you'll find anywhere. Captain Jay Winters has been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly where to put you on fish. This full-day trip is perfect for small groups who want a personalized experience without the crowds. You'll target species that put up a real fight - Jack Crevalle, Redfish, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and Flounder - all while enjoying the natural beauty of Louisiana's coastal marshes. Whether you're teaching the kids to fish or looking to add some variety to your fishing resume, Captain Jay's got the knowledge and patience to make it happen.
Your day starts early in Venice, where Captain Jay will have everything rigged and ready to go. The boat accommodates up to two anglers, so you'll get plenty of personalized attention and room to fish comfortably. Venice's unique location means you'll be fishing where freshwater meets saltwater, creating an ecosystem that attracts multiple species throughout the day. The nearshore waters here are protected from big Gulf swells, so even newer anglers can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness. Captain Jay reads these waters like a book - he knows which structures hold fish, how the tides affect the bite, and when to switch up techniques. You'll spend the day moving between productive spots, from shallow marsh edges to deeper channels, always following the fish.
Nearshore fishing in Venice means adapting your approach throughout the day. Captain Jay comes prepared with a variety of tackle to match whatever the fish are doing. You'll be using everything from live bait to artificial lures, depending on conditions and target species. For Jack Crevalle, expect to throw topwater plugs and spoons when they're busting bait on the surface - these fish hit hard and fast. Redfish and Black Drum often require more finesse, using live or cut bait near structure and oyster reefs. Sheepshead are notorious bait thieves, so you'll learn the art of detecting their light bites around pilings and rocks. Captain Jay provides all tackle and bait, but if you've got favorite rods or lures, bring them along. The key to success here is staying mobile and being ready to switch techniques when the bite changes.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of Louisiana's nearshore waters. These fish can range from schoolie-size "puppy drum" to monsters pushing 30-40 pounds. They love oyster reefs and structure, where they use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. Black Drum fight with pure power - no fancy jumps, just steady, head-shaking pulls that test your drag system. Spring and fall offer the best action, but you can find them year-round in Venice's protected waters. What makes them special is their willingness to eat a variety of baits, from live shrimp to cut crab.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world, and Venice has some of the best Sheepshead fishing on the Gulf Coast. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth that they use to scrape barnacles and small crabs off structure. They're notorious for stealing bait, so you need to stay alert and set the hook at the slightest tap. Most Sheepshead here run 2-4 pounds, but the occasional 6-8 pound "convict" will surprise you. Winter months from December through March are prime time, when they school up around oil rigs and bridge pilings. They're excellent table fare - firm, white meat with a mild flavor that's hard to beat.
Redfish, or Red Drum, are Louisiana's signature species and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are perfect for anglers who want consistent action with great eating. In Venice's nearshore waters, you'll typically find Redfish in the 20-30 inch range, though bigger "bull" reds show up regularly. They patrol shallow flats, marsh edges, and oyster reefs, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. What makes Redfish special is their aggressive nature - they'll hit everything from live bait to artificial lures. Fall and spring offer peak fishing, but Venice's year-round mild temperatures mean you can target them in any season.
Crevalle Jack, or just "Jacks" to locals, are the ultimate fun fish. These silver bullets travel in schools and when you find them, you're in for non-stop action. Jacks are built for speed and endurance - they'll make long runs, fight all the way to the boat, and often travel with other species like Redfish and Speckled Trout. They're not the best eating fish, but what they lack in table fare they make up for in pure fighting ability. Summer months bring the best Jack fishing, when they school up to feed on baitfish in Venice's productive waters. Kids especially love catching Jacks because they're aggressive, plentiful, and put up a memorable fight.
Captain Jay's full-day nearshore trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active. Venice's reputation as a world-class fishing destination means the best guides stay busy, and Captain Jay's personalized approach has earned him a loyal following. This trip offers excellent value - you get a full day on productive waters with an experienced local captain who knows how to put you on fish. The small group size means you'll learn techniques that work in these specific waters, knowledge you can use for years to come. Whether you're planning a father-son trip, introducing someone new to saltwater fishing, or just want to experience Louisiana's legendary fishing firsthand, this is your chance to fish with someone who truly knows these waters.
Step aboard the 2015 24' Blue Wave Bay boat and get ready to chase jack crevalle, redfish, and more in Venice's productive nearshore waters. This well-equipped fishing machine features a powerful 300HP Yamaha 4-stroke that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 52 knots. Captain Jay has rigged her with everything serious anglers need - a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, GPS navigation to hit precise coordinates, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and beverages cold during long days on the water. Built for serious Gulf Coast fishing, this bay boat handles Venice's varied conditions with ease, whether you're working shallow flats for redfish or heading to deeper structure for black drum and sheepshead. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want room to fish without crowding each other.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are powerful bottom-feeders that can range from 5-30 pounds, with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 3-20 feet of water around Venice. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to find them then. What makes them special is that crushing power when they grab your bait. Those strong jaws are built for cracking oysters and crabs. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table - they're much better eating. Pro tip: use fresh crab and keep your bait right on the bottom. These fish are notorious for subtle bites, so watch your rod tip closely and set the hook hard when you feel that steady pull.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the Gulf - averaging 3-5 pounds but capable of hitting 60. These brassy-colored fighters hunt in schools around structure, grass beds, and open water from the shallows to 50+ feet. They're warm-water fish, so summer and fall are prime time. What gets people hooked is that raw power and stamina - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. Look for diving birds - that's your sign they're pushing bait to the surface. They'll crush silver spoons, swimbaits, and topwater plugs retrieved fast and aggressive. My go-to trick: cast past the school and burn your lure back through them at high speed. These fish love the chase, so don't slow down - the faster you reel, the more likely they'll hammer it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water target, cruising 1-4 foot flats and grass beds around Venice. Those copper-colored beauties with the distinctive black spots typically run 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight. They're year-round residents but really fire up in fall and spring. What draws folks to them is that explosive topwater action in skinny water - nothing beats watching a red blow up on a surface plug. Plus they're fantastic table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. They'll eat almost anything but love live shrimp and topwater lures. Here's the deal: when you spot them tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead of where they're moving and work your bait slowly back. They spook easy in that shallow water, so stay quiet and keep your distance.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, running 1-8 pounds typically but can hit 20. They're structure junkies - any dock, piling, or barnacle-covered spot holds fish. Spring spawning season from February through April is when they're most active and grouped up. Guests love the challenge because these fish are notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the Gulf. They'll hover at any depth around structure, so work your bait from bottom to top in one-foot increments. Local trick: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and set the hook aggressively the moment you feel nibbling - they're trying to steal your bait without getting hooked.
Venice