Full Day Kid-Friendly Fishing in Venice
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Kid-friendly 8-hour private fishing trip for families of fourTarget Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead in Louisiana marshesDeparts 6 AM from Venice Marina aboard 23-foot Fish Master
Looking to get your kids hooked on fishing? Venice, Louisiana is hands-down one of the best places to introduce youngsters to the sport, and Captain Mark Wagner knows exactly how to make it happen. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a full-day adventure designed specifically with families in mind. We're talking 8 hours of non-stop action on the legendary marshes that put Venice on the map as America's fishing capital. Your crew of up to 4 will climb aboard a 23-foot Fish Master at 6:00 AM sharp, ready to chase redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, and whatever else is biting in these world-class inshore waters.
Captain Mark has been running kid-friendly charters for years, and he's got the patience of a saint when it comes to little anglers. The morning starts early – 6:00 AM departure from Venice Marina – but trust me, once those kids see their first redfish blow up on a topwater lure, they'll forget all about being sleepy. We'll cruise through the maze of canals and marshes that make this area so special, looking for structure, baitfish, and those telltale signs that fish are feeding. The 23-foot Fish Master is perfect for families – stable enough for kids to move around safely, but nimble enough to get into those skinny-water honey holes where the big fish hide. Captain Mark keeps the mood light and educational, teaching kids how to read the water, spot birds working, and understand why certain areas hold fish. This isn't a babysitting service – it's a real fishing education that'll turn your kids into serious anglers.
Venice's inshore waters are all about variety, and that's perfect for keeping kids engaged. We'll start with live bait fishing – nothing beats a frisky shrimp or finger mullet for triggering strikes from redfish and sea trout. Captain Mark riigs everything up with circle hooks to make it easier for young anglers to hook up without losing fish. As the day progresses, we might switch to artificial lures – soft plastics bounced along the bottom for flounder, or topwater plugs that create explosive surface strikes. The marshes around Venice offer endless structure – oyster bars, grass flats, canal drop-offs, and shallow ponds that hold surprising numbers of fish. We're targeting areas with 2-8 feet of water, perfect depths for sight fishing when conditions allow. Kids love watching redfish cruise the shallows with their backs out of the water, and Captain Mark has an eagle eye for spotting these opportunities.
Redfish are the stars of the show down here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains and rarely disappoint. In Venice waters, reds typically run 20-35 inches, with some bull reds pushing the 40-inch mark during fall runs. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, making them perfect for kids who want fast action. Peak season runs from April through November, but honestly, you can catch quality redfish here year-round. What makes them special is their attitude – they'll blow up on baits in 2 feet of water, creating memories that last forever.
Sea Trout might not have the brute strength of redfish, but they make up for it with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. Venice's grass flats are loaded with specks ranging from 12-20 inches, with occasional gator trout exceeding 25 inches. They're most active during spring and fall months, but summer fishing can be fantastic if you hit the right spots early morning or late evening. Kids love sea trout because they bite often and fight with spectacular jumps and head shakes. They're also excellent table fare, making them perfect for families wanting to take dinner home.
Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge for young anglers wanting to test their skills. These black-and-white striped convict fish have human-like teeth and a reputation for being bait thieves, but once kids figure out the technique, they're addictive to catch. Venice's abundant oyster bars and structure provide perfect sheepshead habitat. They typically run 12-16 inches with occasional slabs pushing 18+ inches. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead, when they're thick around structure and feeding heavily before spawning season.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the marsh, often reaching impressive sizes that get kids' hearts racing. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars and muddy bottoms, using their downturned mouths to crush shellfish. They're most active during cooler months and can range from 5-pound juveniles to massive 30+ pound adults. What makes them special for kids is their steady, powerful fight – no crazy runs or jumps, just pure bulldogging strength that tests young anglers' patience and technique.
Summer Flounder add an element of mystery to the mix, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish can be tricky to pattern, but when you find them, they often come in multiples. Kids get a kick out of their unusual appearance and the way they change colors to match the bottom. Venice flounder typically run 14-18 inches, with doormat-sized fish possible during peak summer months. They're excellent eating and provide a different fishing technique that keeps the day interesting.
At $800 for your private group of up to 4, this represents serious value for a full day on some of America's best inshore waters. Captain Mark provides all the fishing gear, tackle, and expertise – you just need to bring snacks for the kids and make sure the adults have valid Louisiana fishing licenses. Venice Marina offers easy access and parking, making logistics simple for families. This trip consistently books up during peak seasons, especially weekends and school holidays, so don't wait until the
Our 23-foot Fish Master center console is built for Louisiana's inshore waters and family fishing adventures. With a powerful 300 Mercury engine, this bay boat cuts through the marsh channels around Venice while keeping everyone comfortable. The spacious layout gives up to 4 guests plenty of room to move around, cast lines, and land fish without getting tangled up. Kids love the stable platform that makes reeling in Redfish and Sheepshead feel manageable, while parents appreciate the built-in icebox that keeps drinks cold and holds the day's catch fresh. All fishing gear comes ready to go, so you can focus on teaching the little ones how to set the hook when those Speckled Trout start biting. The center console design means Captain Mark has great visibility to spot fish and navigate safely through Venice's productive backwaters where the action happens.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marsh system, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters reaching 90 pounds. These gray-black bruisers with their powerful crushing jaws love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crunch on crabs and shellfish. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. Kids love the steady, strong pull these fish give, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. My tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and keep your bait right on the bottom - they rarely come up to feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana's marsh, easily recognized by their bronze-red color and signature black spots near the tail. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-35 inches in our shallow waters, preferring 1-4 feet deep around oyster reefs and grass flats. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall and spring. Kids get a kick out of seeing their backs sticking out of super shallow water, and the steady pull they give is perfect for young anglers. The meat is firm and mildly sweet - great on the table. These fish will eat almost anything, from topwater plugs to live shrimp. My go-to trick: look for nervous water and "V" wakes in skinny areas, then cast a gold spoon just ahead of where they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are Venice marsh favorites running 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. These grass flat specialists love shallow water around 2-6 feet deep, especially near drop-offs and channels. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. Families enjoy their aggressive strikes and the way they fight with head-shaking jumps. The soft, white meat is mild and flaky - perfect for kids who don't like "fishy" fish. They school up in winter, making for fast action when you find them. Best advice: work your lure slowly over grass beds with a popping cork and live shrimp, or try soft plastics under a cork during moving tides.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish around structures. These 1-8 pound fighters have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles off pier pilings and bridge supports. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook fast when you feel that telltale nibble. Spring brings the best action when they school up to spawn. Guests love their unique appearance and the challenge they present, plus they're outstanding table fare with sweet, delicate white meat. Pro tip: get your bait as close to structure as possible and use fresh fiddler crab on a small circle hook - they won't chase far from cover.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flat fighters typically run 15-20 inches, though we occasionally hook into 5-6 pound slabs. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to grab passing baitfish. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at these "chameleons of the sea." Families love watching these weird flat fish with both eyes on one side - it's always a hit with kids seeing their first one. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the secret: hook your minnow or mullet through the lips and fish it slow along the bottom with just enough weight to stay down.
Venice Marina, LA