8 HR Inshore Fishing Trip - Venice, Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, and flounder in Mississippi River Delta watersEighthour inshore fishing adventure departing at daylight from VeniceAccommodates two guests with experienced Last Day Sportfishing guides
When you're talking about world-class inshore fishing, Venice sits right at the top of every angler's bucket list. This 8-hour charter puts you smack in the middle of the Mississippi River Delta's most productive waters, where the river meets the Gulf and creates some of the richest fishing grounds you'll find anywhere. We're launching at first light to make the most of your day, targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead in waters that have been feeding hungry fish for centuries. Just you and one other angler, so there's plenty of room to work and no fighting over the best spots.
Your day starts before the sun comes up, which might sound rough, but trust me – those early morning hours are pure gold for inshore fishing. The water's calm, the fish are active, and you've got the whole marsh to yourselves. We'll be working the maze of channels, grass flats, and oyster reefs that make the Delta famous. The scenery alone is worth the trip – endless marsh grass stretching to the horizon, herons picking through the shallows, and that big Louisiana sky opening up as the sun climbs. But you're not here for sightseeing. These waters are loaded with structure and current breaks that hold fish year-round. We'll be moving between spots throughout the day, reading the water and adjusting tactics based on what the fish are telling us. Keep in mind that fuel costs aren't rolled into the trip price, so we'll settle that separately based on how far we range and current fuel rates.
Inshore fishing down here is all about versatility and reading the conditions. We'll have you set up with medium-action spinning rods that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull redfish. Live bait is king in these waters – we're talking live shrimp, croakers, and pogies that we'll either bring or catch fresh depending on availability. But don't think we're just soaking bait all day. We'll work soft plastics on jigheads around structure, throw topwater plugs over grass flats during the right conditions, and maybe even break out some spoons when the fish are schooled up and feeding aggressively. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what's working. Some days the fish want it slow and steady along the bottom, other days they're crashing bait on the surface. That's what makes inshore fishing so addictive – you're constantly problem-solving and adjusting your approach.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs are built for the shallow marsh environment, with their broad shoulders and powerful tails perfectly designed for fighting in tight quarters. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in schools or hanging around oyster reefs where they ambush crabs and small fish. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some monster fish when you find them. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they eat with authority and fight like they mean it, often making long runs that'll test your drag and your patience.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are the finicky cousins that keep you honest. These spotted beauties are all about timing and presentation. They love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving water when baitfish get pushed around. Peak season runs from April through October, with the biggest fish often showing up in deeper water during summer heat. Specks have a soft mouth, so you've got to play them carefully, but that delicate fight and their excellent table fare make them a customer favorite. They're also one of the best species for light tackle fishing, where every head shake and jump gets amplified.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators of the marsh, lying flat against the bottom waiting for an easy meal to swim by. These flat fish are masters of camouflage and can be tricky to target, but that's what makes them so satisfying to catch. Look for them around structure changes, channel edges, and anywhere current creates an ambush point. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning run, often reaching impressive sizes. They're not flashy fighters like redfish, but they're pure dead weight on the rod and make excellent eating. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about fooling a fish that spends its entire life trying not to be seen.
Sheepshead might just be the most underrated fish in the marsh. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around any structure they can find – pilings, reefs, rocks, you name it. They've got human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, which makes them incredibly selective about bait presentation. But get it right, and you're in for a treat. Sheepshead are strong, stubborn fighters that use every piling and oyster shell to try to break you off. They're most active in cooler months when other species slow down, making them perfect targets for winter fishing. And if you've never eaten fresh sheepshead, you're missing out on some of the best table fare the Gulf has to offer.
Venice's inshore waters don't mess around when it comes to producing fish, and this 8-hour charter gives you the time to really explore what the Delta has to offer. With just two anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to dial in your technique. Whether you're after your first redfish or looking to add some Louisiana specks to your lifetime list, these waters deliver consistently. The combination of structure, current, and baitfish creates a perfect storm for inshore species, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of reading the water correctly and getting rewarded with bent rods. Don't wait too long to lock in your dates – the best fishing seasons fill up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be
Your ride for this 8-hour inshore adventure is a 2016 24' Blue Wave bay boat that's built to handle the Louisiana marsh and coastal waters perfectly. With a strong 250HP Yamaha pushing her along at up to 35 knots, you'll cover plenty of water chasing redfish and speckled trout through the Mississippi Delta. The center console design gives you room to move around while fighting fish, and the GPS keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. This boat's shallow draft lets us get into those skinny waters where the big reds like to hang out, and it's stable enough to fish comfortably all day long. Built for serious inshore fishing, she'll get you to the fish and back home safely.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow marshes and flats, typically running 20-30 inches with that distinctive copper color and black spot near the tail. You'll find them cruising in 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh edges where they hunt crabs and shrimp. They bite year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special is watching them cruise in skinny water - sometimes with their backs out - and the explosive strike when they eat. They're strong fighters that'll peel drag and great table fare when kept within slot limits. The magic happens on incoming tides when baitfish get pushed onto the flats. My advice: use gold spoons or live shrimp, make long casts ahead of cruising fish, and keep your rod tip low when they run.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running anywhere from 12-20 inches with plenty of keepers in that sweet 15-17 inch range. These spotted beauties love our grass flats, especially in 2-6 feet of water around drop-offs and cuts. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, and low-light periods like dawn and dusk are prime time. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and decent fight for their size. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Cold fronts really fire them up, so don't let rough weather scare you off. My go-to tip: work a soft plastic under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is matching your retrieve to their mood - sometimes they want it fast and aggressive, other times slow and subtle.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. They average 2-4 pounds around here, but we catch plenty in the 6-8 pound range around our oil rigs and bridge pilings. These fish live around any hard structure - docks, jetties, barnacle-covered pilings - where they crush crabs and scrape off shellfish. Spring spawning runs in March and April bring the biggest fish, but they bite year-round. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the secret: use fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp, get tight to structure, and when you feel that first nibble, set the hook immediately. Wait too long and they'll clean your hook.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in mud and sand bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some pushing 25+ inches in deeper channels. They're ambush predators with both eyes on their left side, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our passes heading offshore. What makes them special is the challenge - you've got to feel that subtle tap and set quick before they spit the bait. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp and keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom. When you feel weight, don't hesitate - set that hook hard.
Venice