Full Day Weekend Fishing In Venice, Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting Redfish and Flounder speciesChild-friendly trip with expert instruction from Captain JaySmall group experience limited to 2 guests maximum
Captain Jay Winters knows Venice's waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why this Louisiana fishing hotspot draws anglers from across the Gulf Coast. This full-day weekend trip targets some of the most sought-after inshore species in the region – Redfish, Southern Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead. With just two spots available, you'll get personalized attention whether you're casting your first line or you've been chasing fish for decades. The marshes and flats around Venice offer prime habitat for these species, and Captain Jay's local knowledge puts you right where the action is. Pack your patience and get ready for a day that could easily turn into your new favorite fishing story.
This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. With only two anglers on board, Captain Jay can tailor the entire day to match your skill level and preferences. The calm inshore waters around Venice provide the perfect setting for both beginners learning to read the water and seasoned anglers looking to dial in their technique. You'll spend the day exploring grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges where these Gulf Coast favorites like to hang out. Captain Jay brings all the gear you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so you can focus on what matters most – getting your line wet and having a great time. The scenery alone is worth the trip, with Louisiana's coastal marshes stretching as far as you can see.
Inshore fishing in Venice means adapting your approach based on what you're targeting and where you find them. Captain Jay will have you working with light tackle that lets you feel every bump and run – typically spinning reels spooled with braided line for sensitivity and strength. You might be pitching soft plastics around structure for Redfish, bouncing jigs along the bottom for Black Drum, or working live bait near pilings for Sheepshead. The water depth rarely exceeds 10 feet, so you're sight fishing much of the time, watching for redfish tails, nervous water, or birds working bait. Captain Jay reads the tides, wind, and weather to put you in the right spots at the right time, then coaches you through the presentation that gets results.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Venice inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like they mean it, making blistering runs and testing your drag. Fall through early spring offers the best action when they school up in the shallows. You'll spot them cruising grass beds or tailing in skinny water, and the visual aspect makes every hookup that much more satisfying. Redfish aren't particularly picky eaters, but they spook easily in shallow water, so stealth and accurate casting pay off.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're masters of disguise and table fare that's hard to beat. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, ambushing prey with lightning-fast strikes. They typically run 14-20 inches around Venice, with doormat-sized fish pushing 4-5 pounds showing up regularly. Late summer and fall are prime time as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run. The strike often feels like you've snagged bottom until suddenly your "snag" starts swimming away.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in Venice waters. These bottom-dwellers use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, so you'll typically find them around hard structure. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallow water to feed. The fight is more bulldogging than acrobatic, but when a big drum decides to run, you'll know you're connected to something special. Younger drum under 10 pounds make excellent eating, while the big breeders are best released to keep the population strong.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from the black bars running down their sides, but anglers know them as the ultimate bait thieves. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and crabs off pilings, making them notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked. They're most active in cooler water, particularly around docks, bridges, and oil platforms. Landing a quality Sheepshead requires sharp hooks, light line, and lightning-fast reflexes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Captain Jay's weekend trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are most active. With only two spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and the flexibility to focus on whatever species are biting best that day. Whether you're planning a father-son trip, a romantic getaway with some fishing mixed in, or just need to escape the daily grind for some quality time on the water, this Venice adventure delivers. The combination of expert local guidance, prime fishing grounds, and Louisiana's stunning coastal scenery makes for a weekend well spent. Don't let this top-rated opportunity slip away – secure your dates with Got To Fish and get ready to see why Venice, Louisiana, is considered one of the Gulf Coast's premier inshore fishing destinations.
Captain Jay's 24-foot Blue Wave bay boat is built for serious inshore fishing in Venice's productive waters. This 2015 vessel runs on a reliable 300HP Yamaha 4-stroke that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and quiet when you need it. The boat handles Louisiana's shallow marshes and flats with ease, perfect for chasing redfish and flounder in those back-country spots where the big ones hide. You'll have everything you need onboard - GPS to navigate the maze of channels, fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long days on the water. With room for up to 2 anglers, there's plenty of space to fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working the drop-offs for flounder, this boat puts you right where you need to be.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters here in Venice. These bottom-dwellers typically range from 5-30 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into one pushing 50+ pounds. They're built like tanks with powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they root around for food. Spring is prime time, especially March through May when they school up for spawning - that's when they make those distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love most is the power - these fish will test your drag and give you a real workout. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating too. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait right on bottom, and when you feel that steady weight, don't horse them - let that drag work and stay patient.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Venice inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-35 inches and put up fights that'll have your arms burning. Look for that signature black spot near their tail - it's nature's way of fooling predators. They love our shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love most is the variety - they'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. Here's my go-to technique: work a gold spoon or soft plastic slowly along grass edges during moving tides. When you see that wake or tail, make your cast count - they spook easy in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Venice waters, easily spotted by their black and white stripes and those crazy human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we occasionally see 15+ pounders around the big structures. They live around docks, bridges, oil rigs, and any barnacle-covered pilings where they use those teeth to crush their favorite meals. Spring months from February through April are peak season when they're most active and aggressive. What makes them fun to target is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves and will test your reflexes. The payoff is worth it though - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. My advice: use fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get your bait tight to structure, and when you feel them picking at it, set the hook hard and fast. They've got strong mouths, so don't be gentle.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of the most unique fish you'll target in these Venice waters. These flat, camouflaged predators typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. What makes them special is how they bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey - both eyes on their left side help them spot dinner from below. You'll find them in our shallow bays, estuaries, and around structure where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge - they're sneaky fighters and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: when drift fishing, keep your bait right on bottom and watch for that subtle tap-tap before they run with it.
Venice