World Class Half Day Fishing Adventures in Venice LA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sheepsheadProfessional captain and gear provided for groups up to fourDeparting from Venice Marina aboard 23foot Fish Master vessel
Venice, Louisiana sits right at the mouth of the Mississippi River where it dumps into the Gulf of Mexico, creating some of the richest inshore fishing waters you'll find anywhere along the coast. Captain Mark Wagner knows these marshes and passes like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during a 6-hour private charter that'll have you talking about it for years. Loading up at Venice Marina, you and up to three buddies will climb aboard a solid 23-foot Fish Master that's built for these waters. For $800 all-inclusive, you get the captain's expertise, all the gear you need, and access to some of the best redfish, sea trout, black drum, sheepshead, and flounder fishing on the planet. Just make sure you've got your Louisiana fishing license sorted before you show up – that's the one thing we can't help you with at the dock.
Captain Mark runs a no-nonsense operation where the focus stays on putting fish in the boat. The 23-foot Fish Master gives you plenty of room to work without feeling cramped, and it's rigged specifically for inshore work with all the electronics and tackle storage you need. Venice's location means you're fishing where fresh river water meets salt water, creating an ecosystem that supports incredible numbers of fish year-round. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself working shallow flats for tailing redfish, casting around oil rigs for sheepshead, or drifting deeper channels where the big black drum like to hang out. The captain reads the water and adjusts the game plan based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity. This isn't a cookie-cutter trip where you hit the same spots every time – it's custom fishing based on what's happening right now.
All your gear comes included, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait. Captain Mark sets you up with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from 14-inch sea trout to 30-pound redfish without breaking a sweat. Live bait plays a big role here – shrimp, crabs, and whatever baitfish are running – but don't be surprised if artificial lures get mixed into the program when fish are aggressive. The beauty of Venice fishing lies in its variety. One minute you might be sight-casting to redfish cruising a shallow flat, the next you're bottom fishing around structure for black drum and sheepshead. The captain handles boat positioning and gives guidance on technique, but you're doing the fishing. Whether you're comfortable with spinning gear or need a quick refresher on how to work a soft plastic, Captain Mark adjusts his coaching style to match your experience level. The 6-hour window gives you time to really settle into different techniques and locations without feeling rushed.
Redfish are the stars of Venice's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20 to 30 inches in these waters and fight like fish twice their size. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with summer producing some spectacular sight-fishing opportunities on shallow flats. Redfish feed aggressively on crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for both live bait and artificial lures. When you hook one, expect multiple runs and that distinctive head-shaking that makes redfish so addictive to catch.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are another year-round favorite that really turns on during cooler months. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 18 inches in Venice waters, with occasional fish pushing over 20 inches. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish congregate. Sea trout hit soft plastics and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm, and their initial strike often catches anglers off guard. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for guests planning a fish dinner.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldog fighters that test your tackle and your arms. Venice's black drum range from smaller 2-pound fish up to monsters exceeding 30 pounds. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer when these bottom-dwellers move into shallower water to spawn. They're crab-eating machines, so fresh blue crab or fiddler crabs work best. When a big drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they pull steady and hard, using their broad sides to fight the current and your drag system.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of Venice fishing, known for their light bites and incredible ability to steal bait. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they congregate around any hard structure they can find. Oil rigs, bridge pilings, and rock piles all hold sheepshead, particularly during winter months when they school up in large numbers. Fresh shrimp fished on light tackle gives you the best shot, but you need to stay alert – sheepshead can grab your bait and spit it out before you realize anything happened.
Summer Flounder add another dimension to Venice fishing, especially during warmer months when they move into shallower areas to feed. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush passing prey. Flounder typically range from 14 to 20 inches in local waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish exceeding 5 pounds. They're excellent eating and provide a different kind of fishing challenge since they often require patient bottom fishing techniques. Live bait works well, but bouncing a soft plastic along the bottom can trigger aggressive strikes from hungry flounder.
Venice's reputation as a world-class fishing destination isn't going anywhere, and Captain Mark Wagner's experience in these waters gives you the best shot at a successful trip. The
Step aboard our 23-foot Fish Master center console, your ticket to Venice's legendary inshore waters. This bay boat's built for serious fishing with a 300 Mercury engine that'll get you to the hotspots fast and keep you steady when the action heats up. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. We've got the cooler stocked with ice to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need to target redfish cruising the shallows, sheepshead around the structure, and speckled trout in the grass beds. The center console design means easy movement around the boat and clear sight lines to spot tailing reds or working birds. Captain Mark knows these marshes like the back of his hand, and this Fish Master handles the shallow Louisiana waters perfectly.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around structure. You'll find them in brackish waters, muddy flats, and oyster beds throughout the year, but spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What makes them special is that distinctive drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools of them underwater. They put up a solid fight and smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom near oyster beds. They're notorious for light bites, so watch your rod tip closely and set the hook at the first sign of movement.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of Louisiana's shallow waters, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers run 20-35 inches on average and love cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love most is watching them crash topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline when a 25-pound red explodes on your plug. They're also fantastic on the table with firm, slightly sweet meat. The key here in Venice is sight fishing the flats during rising tides. Look for their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs. Cast ahead of cruising fish, not directly at them, and use gold or copper spoons that match their natural color - it triggers aggressive strikes from even spooky fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Venice's bread-and-butter fish, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides that give them their nickname. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool months from fall through early spring offer consistent action, though they bite year-round in our Louisiana waters. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons all work well. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Here's a tip that works consistently: during winter months, look for them schooled up in deeper channels and bayous. Slow-troll a soft plastic jig along these drop-offs, and you'll often find big concentrations holding in 8-15 feet of water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Venice waters, sporting black and gray stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles off pilings. These 1-8 pound fighters love structure - docks, bridges, and oil rigs where they feed on crabs and shellfish. Spring months from February through April are peak season when they spawn in large schools. What guests really enjoy is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that require quick reflexes and sharp hook sets. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean around those tough scales. My go-to technique is getting as close to structure as possible with fresh crab bait, keeping it pinned firmly on the hook. When you feel that subtle nibbling, don't wait - set the hook hard because they'll strip your bait clean otherwise.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the chameleons of the Gulf, lying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators average 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 26 pounds. They're masters of camouflage, changing color to match the bottom where they hide. You'll find them on sandy flats and near structure in depths from shallow water to about 30 feet. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're most active. Guests love targeting them because they're excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also fun fighters that test your skills with their sideways runs. Here's a local trick: hook live bait through the eyes for smaller fish, through the lips for larger ones, and use just enough weight to keep your bait near the bottom where they're waiting.
Venice Marina, LA