Kid-Friendly Venice Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour private family fishing adventure for up to 4 guestsTarget Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead in Louisiana marsh watersIncludes expert guide and 23foot Fish Master boat from Venice Marina
Venice, Louisiana is hands down one of the best places to introduce kids to fishing, and Captain Mark Wagner knows exactly how to make it happen. This full-day private charter is built around families - we're talking 8 hours of kid-focused fishing action that'll have your little ones hooked for life. Departing bright and early at 6:00 AM from Venice Marina, you'll board a comfortable 23-foot Fish Master that's perfect for up to 4 guests. At $800 for the whole crew, this trip delivers serious bang for your buck in some of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters. Just remember to grab those adult fishing licenses and pack plenty of snacks - trust me, kids work up an appetite when they're reeling in fish all day!
Captain Mark has been running these family trips long enough to know what works. The 23-foot Fish Master gives everyone plenty of room to move around safely, which is crucial when you've got excited kids on board. We'll head out into the marsh where the water's calmer and the fish are hungry. The beauty of Venice's inshore waters is that you don't need to run far to find fish - more time fishing, less time traveling. Mark keeps the atmosphere relaxed and educational, teaching kids how to hold a rod properly, when to set the hook, and most importantly, how to have fun doing it. The boat's equipped with all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for smaller hands to heavier setups for when dad wants to get in on the action. Safety gear is top-notch, and Mark's got that patient teaching style that makes all the difference when you're dealing with first-time anglers.
Venice inshore fishing is all about reading the water and putting baits where the fish are feeding. We'll be working shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges using a mix of live and cut bait. The technique here is pretty straightforward - bottom fishing with circle hooks for the Redfish and Black Drum, while switching to lighter tackle for Sea Trout when they're schooled up. Kids love the simplicity of it - drop your line, feel the bite, and hang on. Mark provides all the rods, reels, and tackle, but he's smart about it - lighter gear that won't wear out small arms, but still strong enough to handle a decent fish. We'll use everything from live shrimp and mud minnows to cut mullet, depending on what the fish are wanting that day. The 23-foot Fish Master draws shallow water, so we can get into those back-lake spots where the big Redfish cruise. Polarized sunglasses are a must - not just for the kids' safety, but so they can spot fish moving in the shallows.
The Redfish around Venice are absolutely world-class, and they're perfect for kids because they fight hard but don't require finesse to catch. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to bull Reds pushing 30-plus pounds. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish feeding aggressively in the shallows. Kids love Redfish because they can see them coming - watching that wake push toward your bait gets everyone's heart pumping. Sea Trout are another kid favorite, especially during summer months when they school up in deeper pockets. They're scrappy fighters and great eating, plus they bite aggressively so kids don't have to worry about subtle bites. Sheepshead are the challenge fish of the bunch - they're notorious bait stealers with incredible bite detection skills, but when kids finally hook one, they're hooked themselves. These black and white striped fish hang around structure and fight like crazy. Black Drum are the gentle giants that make kids feel like they've caught a monster - these big, slow-fighting fish can weigh 20-40 pounds and give kids that arm-burning battle they'll talk about for years. Summer Flounder round out the slam, hiding in sandy bottoms and providing that surprise factor when they crush a bait. They're excellent table fare and teach kids patience since you've got to let them fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Look, there's something special about watching a kid catch their first fish in Louisiana waters. Mark Wagner has built his reputation on creating those moments - the kind where kids can't stop talking about their fishing trip weeks later. At $800 for up to 4 people and 8 hours of guided fishing, you're getting access to some of the most productive inshore waters in the country with a captain who genuinely loves teaching kids to fish. Venice's location at the mouth of the Mississippi River creates this incredible nursery for fish, and the variety means something's always biting. Don't wait too long to book - family-friendly captains like Mark who really know how to handle kids are in high demand, especially during peak season. Grab those adult licenses, pack the snacks and sunscreen, and get ready to create some memories. Your kids will thank you, and who knows - you might just hook the next generation of serious anglers.
Our 23-foot Fish Master center console is your ticket to Venice's legendary fishing grounds. Powered by a reliable 300 Mercury engine, this bay boat cuts through Louisiana's inshore waters with ease while keeping your family comfortable and safe. The spacious layout gives kids plenty of room to move around, and the built-in icebox keeps drinks cold during those hot summer days on the water. We've got all the fishing gear sorted, plus cooler and ice, so you can focus on what matters – watching your little ones light up when they hook their first Redfish or Sheepshead. The shallow draft design lets us sneak into those productive backwater spots where the Speckled Trout and Black Drum like to hang out. With seating for up to 4 guests, there's room for the whole crew to spread out and enjoy the action. The center console setup means everyone gets a clear view of the marsh while staying out of each other's way when it's time to reel in dinner.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers hang around oyster beds, shallow flats, and structure where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning. What makes them special? That deep, drumming sound they make underwater and the serious fight they put up. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut shrimp on the bottom near oyster bars - they can't resist it. Just be ready for that heavy pull when they grab your bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature species with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 16-27 inches, but the big bulls offshore can push 40+ pounds. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with backs exposed - around marsh edges, oyster reefs, and grass flats. Year-round fishing with peak action during fall and spring tides. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're beautiful table fare. The copper bass are perfect for kids since they're aggressive and forgiving. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish, then cast ahead of them with gold spoons or live shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our marsh fishing, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides. These grass bed cruisers love shallow flats, especially around drop-offs and current breaks where they ambush shrimp and small fish. They bite year-round but really turn on during warmer months and low-light periods. Families enjoy them because they're aggressive strikers and make excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat. The key is working topwater plugs or soft plastics slowly over grass beds early morning or late evening. When you find one trout, work that area thoroughly - they usually travel in small schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders show up occasionally. They live around any structure - docks, pilings, oil rigs - where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Spring months during spawning season offer the hottest action. Guests love the challenge since they're notorious bait thieves, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch with delicate white meat. Here's the secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, get tight to structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel them nibbling.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, blending in perfectly with their spotted, flat bodies. These ambush predators typically measure 15-20 inches and provide a fun challenge for families. They hang out on soft bottoms in deeper channels and around structure, waiting to nail unsuspecting baitfish. Fall months from September through November offer the best bite when they're actively feeding. Kids love the weird factor of catching a fish with both eyes on one side, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using live finger mullet hooked through the lips and bouncing it slowly along the bottom.
Venice Marina, LA