Family Fishing Fun in Venice, Louisiana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private inshore fishing trip for families of fourTargets Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead in Venice watersProfessional guide provides safe environment for young anglers
Looking to get your kids hooked on fishing? Captain Mark Wagner knows exactly how to make that happen. This half-day trip out of Venice Marina is built from the ground up for families with young anglers who want to experience the magic of Louisiana's inshore waters. We're talking about a genuine fishing adventure where your little ones can actually catch fish – not just sit around waiting for something to happen. Mark's been running these family trips long enough to know what works, and his approach keeps kids engaged from the moment we leave the dock until we're cleaning fish at the end of the day.
We kick off at 6:00 AM from Venice Marina, which might sound early, but trust me – the fish bite best in the morning, and your kids will be so pumped they won't mind the wake-up call. Mark runs a stable 23-foot Fish Master that's perfect for families of four. This boat handles Venice's shallow waters like a dream, and there's plenty of room for everyone to fish without getting tangled up in each other's lines. The six-hour window gives us real time to work different spots and put your kids on fish without rushing. We're targeting high-action species like Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead because these fish bite regularly and fight hard enough to get kids excited. Mark keeps extra rods rigged and ready, so when one kid is fighting a fish, the others can keep their lines wet. The whole setup is designed around keeping young hands busy and creating those moments where your kid's face lights up with their first solid hookup.
Mark sets everyone up with light tackle that kids can actually handle – no heavy rigs that wear out little arms before lunch. We're using spinning reels with smooth drags, so when a redfish makes its run, your child can feel the power without getting overwhelmed. Most of our fishing happens in 3-8 feet of water around grass beds, oyster reefs, and structure where these inshore species love to hang out. We'll work live shrimp under popping corks, which is perfect for kids because they can see the cork disappear when a fish hits. Mark also brings soft plastics and spoons for when the fish want something different. The beauty of this style of fishing is that it's active – we're constantly moving, trying new spots, and adjusting our approach based on what the fish are telling us. Your kids learn real fishing skills while actually catching fish, not just theory. Adults need to bring their Louisiana fishing license, but kids under 16 fish free, which is just another reason Louisiana treats families right.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-25 inches in Venice waters and fight like fish twice their size. They're most active during spring and fall months when water temperatures sit in that sweet 70-75 degree range. Kids love reds because they hit hard, run strong, and that distinctive black spot near their tail makes every fish feel like a trophy. What really gets young anglers fired up is watching a redfish wake as it cruises the shallows – Mark has a good eye for spotting these fish, and there's nothing quite like watching your child's excitement when they see their target before making the cast.
Sea Trout might not have the raw power of a redfish, but they make up for it with their willingness to bite and their beautiful colors. These speckled fighters typically run 14-18 inches and absolutely love live shrimp presented near grass beds. Summer mornings are prime time for trout, especially when we're working areas where fresh and salt water mix. Kids get a kick out of trout because they're aggressive feeders and often travel in schools – catch one, and there's usually more in the area. The light tackle we use really lets you feel every head shake and run these fish make.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that keeps things interesting. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and a reputation for stealing bait, but Mark knows how to put kids on them around Venice's abundant structure. They typically weigh 2-4 pounds and require a bit more finesse, which makes them perfect for teaching young anglers about feeling subtle bites and setting hooks with authority. Fall and winter are peak sheepshead season, and these fish are excellent table fare, so your family dinner is taken care of.
Black Drum show up as bonus fish throughout the year, especially around oyster reefs where they root around for shellfish. These bronze-colored fighters can surprise you with their size – juveniles make great action for kids, while the occasional larger drum provides that heart-stopping moment when something big grabs your child's line. Summer Flounder round out our target list, and while they require a bit more patience, their unique flat-fish appearance and excellent eating quality make them worth the effort. These bottom-dwellers love sandy areas near structure and provide a different fishing experience that teaches kids about varying their retrieve.
At $800 for your family of four, this trip delivers serious value for a full day of professional guide service, boat, tackle, and fish cleaning. Mark's experience with young anglers shows in every detail, from keeping extra snacks on board to having a camera ready for those hero shots. Venice's location at the mouth of the Mississippi River creates some of the most productive inshore fishing in the Gulf, and this trip puts your family right in the middle of it all. The memories your kids make hauling in their first redfish or figuring out how to feel a sheepshead bite will stick with them long after the sunburn fades. Book early, especially during peak spring and fall seasons when the fishing is hot and family trips fill up fast. Your kids are ready for this – the question is whether you're ready to be the parent who introduced them to the magic of Louisiana fishing.
Our 23-foot Fish Master center console is built for Venice's inshore waters and designed with families in mind. The 300 Mercury engine gets you to the fishing spots quickly while the spacious deck gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines. Kids love the stable platform - no worrying about little ones losing their footing when that redfish starts pulling. The built-in icebox keeps drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus we've got all the rods, tackle, and bait ready to go. This boat handles the shallow flats where sheepshead hang around the structure and cruises comfortably to those productive redfish holes. With seating for 4, there's plenty of space for the whole family to fish together. The center console design means Captain Mark can keep an eye on everyone while working the trolling motor in skinny water. Whether we're sight-fishing for reds or bottom fishing for black drum, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some giants hitting 90 pounds. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" - making croaking sounds that give them their name. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. Kids love the steady, bulldogging fight these fish put up - no fancy jumps, just pure pulling power. They're excellent table fare under 15 pounds with firm, white meat. My tip: use fresh crab or clam on a circle hook and fish right on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook hard because they'll steal your bait faster than you think.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Louisiana inshore waters, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most fish run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of "bull reds" over 40 inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action. Kids absolutely love watching these fish cruise the shallows and that powerful fight when hooked. They're protected as gamefish for good reason - great table fare with mild, sweet meat. Use live shrimp, crab, or cut bait on the bottom. My secret: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, averaging 14-24 inches with those beautiful spotted sides. These grass flat specialists love shallow water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are peak seasons, though we catch them year-round. What kids love is their willingness to hit topwater plugs - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent table fare with tender, white meat that's perfect for families. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. They school up in winter in deeper channels, but summer finds them scattered across the flats. Use live shrimp under a popping cork or throw soft plastic jigs over grass beds. Local tip: fish the tide changes when baitfish get pushed around - that's when the trout really turn on.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and those creepy human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around Venice, but we see 20-pounders near the oil rigs and bridge pilings. These structure huggers feed on barnacles, crabs, and oysters, so we target them around any hard bottom. Winter months are best when they school up for spawning. Families love them because they're notorious bait thieves - keeps everyone alert and laughing when the kids get their bait stolen. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the Gulf, though those scales are tough to clean. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and get your bait tight to structure. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle nibbling, set the hook immediately - they're trying to steal your bait, not eat it properly.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of camouflage on our sandy bottoms, typically running 15-20 inches but capable of reaching 26 pounds. These flatfish lie buried in sand with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush passing baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. They're most active September through November when water temps start cooling. What makes them special is that sideways bite - they grab prey from left to right, which can feel strange on your line. The meat is absolutely fantastic - sweet, white, and flaky. Kids get a kick out of their weird appearance and that "chameleon of the sea" color-changing ability. Fish sandy bottoms near structure with live minnows or sea worms on circle hooks. Here's the key: when you feel a flounder pick up your bait, give them time to turn it and swallow before setting the hook.
Venice Marina, LA