Weekend Fishing Trip in Venice, Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing trip targeting Redfish and Flounder speciesChildfriendly adventure with expert instruction from Captain Jay WintersIntimate experience for two guests exploring Louisiana marshes and flats
Looking for a solid weekend fishing adventure that won't break the bank? Captain Jay Winters has you covered with his full-day inshore trips out of Venice, Louisiana. This isn't some crowded party boat situation – you're looking at a max of two anglers, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and room to work. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing experience or you're an experienced angler wanting to explore Louisiana's legendary marshes, Jay knows how to put you on fish. The calm inshore waters around Venice are perfect for families, and the fishing here is some of the most consistent on the Gulf Coast. You'll spend the day working the flats and marshes where redfish, flounder, and other popular species call home.
Venice sits right at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and that means nutrient-rich water that draws baitfish – and the predators that follow them. Captain Jay runs his trips through the protected marshes and shallow flats where you can sight-fish in gin-clear water or work structure when the fish are holding deeper. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you might be casting topwater plugs at tailing redfish, the next you're bouncing jigs along oyster bars for black drum. Jay provides all the instruction you need, so don't worry if you're rusty with your casting or new to reading water. The scenery alone is worth the trip, with endless miles of marsh grass, winding bayous, and wildlife that includes everything from pelicans to the occasional dolphin. Since this is a full-day trip, you'll have time to really dial in on what's working and move spots if the bite slows down.
Inshore fishing in Louisiana is all about reading the conditions and adapting your approach. Captain Jay typically starts the day with live bait – shrimp and mullet are local favorites that rarely fail to produce. You'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods that can handle anything from 12-inch flounder to bull redfish pushing 30 inches. The tackle setup is simple but effective: circle hooks to protect the fish, enough weight to keep your bait in the strike zone, and leaders that can handle oyster shells and other structure. When the fish are active, Jay loves to switch to artificials – soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that let you cover water quickly and trigger reaction strikes. The shallow water means you'll often see the fish before you cast to them, which adds a whole different element to the experience. Jay keeps his boat positioned perfectly with the trolling motor, so you can focus on making good presentations without fighting wind or current.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are available year-round, with the best action typically from spring through fall. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, plus they put up a serious fight that'll test your drag system. You'll find them tailing in skinny water during high tides, or stacked up around oyster reefs and marsh edges when the water drops. Most of the reds you'll catch run 20-27 inches – perfect eating size – but don't be surprised if you hook into a bull that goes over the slot limit.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim overhead. Fall is prime time for flounder around Venice, when they're staging for their offshore spawn and feeding heavily. These fish require a bit more finesse than redfish – you need to work your bait slowly along the bottom and pay attention to subtle strikes that might just feel like a slight weight on your line. Flounder are excellent table fare, which makes them a customer favorite for families wanting to bring dinner home. The bigger females, called "doormat" flounder, can push 5-6 pounds and provide some surprisingly strong runs.
Black drum often get overlooked, but they're one of the most underrated fighters in these waters. These fish school up around structure like bridge pilings and oyster reefs, where they use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. You'll typically catch them on bottom rigs with cut bait, and when a big drum takes off, it's like hooking a freight train. They're most active during cooler months, making them a great target for winter trips when other species might be scattered. The smaller "puppy" drum under 10 pounds are excellent eating, while the bigger fish are usually released to continue the breeding cycle.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the inshore world – they'll steal your bait so cleanly you might not even know they were there. These black-and-white striped fish hang around any kind of structure, especially during their spring spawning run around jetties and bridges. They require small hooks and light tackle, plus the patience to feel for their subtle nibbles. Sheepshead have human-like teeth that they use to scrape barnacles and other crustaceans off pilings, so you need to use fiddler crabs or shrimp and keep your bait tight to the structure. When you do connect with a good sheepshead, they're surprisingly strong fighters that will try to wrap you around the nearest piling.
Captain Jay's weekend trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and families are looking for quality time on the water. With only two spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of room to fish without feeling crowded. The full-day format gives you the best chance to experience different techniques and locations, plus you'll have time to really learn something about reading water and understanding fish behavior. Venice is consistently ranked as one of the top fishing destinations in Louisiana, and for good reason – the combination of structure, current, and bait makes it a fish magnet year-round. Whether you're targeting dinner or just
Your fishing platform for this Venice adventure is a well-equipped 2015 Blue Wave Bay boat that knows these Louisiana waters like the back of your hand. At 24 feet with a reliable 300HP Yamaha 4-stroke, she'll get you to the prime redfish and flounder spots without burning through fuel. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow flats where the fish hang out, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools. GPS keeps you on track through the maze of marshes and channels that make Venice fishing so productive. The icebox handles your catch and cold drinks throughout the long day on the water. Built for serious inshore fishing, this bay boat handles the choppy runs and shallow draft work that Venice demands, giving you and your fishing partner a stable platform to work from whether you're sight casting or bottom fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they'll test your gear when you hook into a big one. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, but we've landed some pushing 50+ pounds that'll make your arms burn. They love muddy bottoms around oyster beds and shallow flats, using those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish all day long. Spring is when they really turn on, especially during their spawning runs in March and April. You'll actually hear them drumming underwater - it's wild. What guests love most is the raw power these fish pack. They don't jump or run far, but they'll bulldoze you straight down and test every knot you tied. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating too. Best tip I can give: use fresh blue crab on a fish finder rig and be patient. When they pick it up, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature fish, and for good reason - they're aggressive, hard fighting, and absolutely beautiful with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches in our waters, though the big bulls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-3 feet around grass beds, oyster reefs, and muddy flats. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime time when they school up thick. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of the water - it's pure sight fishing excitement. They eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, and that first run will surprise you every time. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and birds working, then approach quietly. Cast past the fish and work your bait back through them. These fish spook easy in shallow water, so keep the boat noise down.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, and they're hands down the best thieves in the water. These guys run 1-8 pounds typically, with those human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and crabs off structure. You'll find them around any hard bottom - docks, bridges, oil rigs, oyster reefs. They stick tight to cover and rarely venture far from it. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up heavy before spawning. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead will steal your bait cleaner than a pickpocket if you're not paying attention. They're also some of the finest eating fish we catch - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. The key is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and getting your bait right against the structure. When you feel that subtle nibble, don't wait - set the hook immediately and hold on tight.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud, changing colors to match the bottom perfectly. Both eyes sit on their left side, which looks strange but helps them hunt from below. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow coastal waters, especially around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms throughout our marshes. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. Guests love the challenge - they're sneaky biters and fight harder than you'd expect for a flatfish. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch. My tip: use live mud minnows on a Carolina rig and fish slow. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to mouth the bait first, and if you rush it, you'll just pull dinner away from them.
Venice