Venice Louisiana Nearshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, flounder, and sheepshead in Venice watersEighthour nearshore fishing adventure with experienced local guidesSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
If you're looking for some serious fishing action in Louisiana's fishing capital, this 8-hour nearshore trip out of Venice is exactly what you need. We're talking about getting into those productive waters where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf, creating one of the most fish-rich environments on the entire coast. You'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, and red snapper in waters that have been producing trophy catches for generations. With room for up to 3 anglers, this is the perfect setup for a small group that wants personalized attention and prime fishing spots without the crowds.
Your day starts early at the Venice marina, where you'll meet your captain who knows these waters like the back of their hand. We're heading out to the nearshore structure and inshore marshes that make this area legendary among serious anglers. The boat ride itself is part of the experience – you'll cruise past working shrimp boats, oil rigs that have become artificial reefs, and endless stretches of marsh that hold some of the best fishing on the Gulf Coast. Your guide will be rigging rods and explaining the game plan while you take in the scenery. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that we have time to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics based on what's biting, and really maximize your chances of getting into fish. Whether the bite is hot on the reefs or the marsh edges are producing, we've got the flexibility to chase the action.
We'll be running a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. For the inshore action, expect to throw soft plastics on jig heads, work topwater plugs during the right tides, and maybe some live bait fishing when the conditions call for it. The nearshore fishing involves bottom fishing with circle hooks for snapper and sheepshead, plus some drift fishing when we locate schools of trout. All tackle is provided, but if you have a lucky rod or favorite reel, feel free to bring it along. The boat is equipped with quality spinning and conventional gear that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull reds that'll test your drag system. We'll have a good selection of lures, from paddle tails and spoons to live shrimp and cut bait. Your captain will match the presentation to the conditions – whether that means working structure with heavy jigs or sight-fishing the flats with lighter tackle.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of nearshore fishing here, and Venice sits right in prime snapper country. These fish are aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight even harder, typically running 15-25 pounds with some real monsters pushing 30-plus. Summer months are peak season, but we get good action from late spring through early fall. What makes snapper so special is that explosive strike when they grab your bait – there's no mistaking when you've got one hooked.
Redfish are the backbone of inshore fishing in Louisiana, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can be found year-round, ranging from schooling rats in the 20-inch range to bull reds that'll stretch your measuring tape past 40 inches. Spring and fall see the biggest fish, but summer provides consistent action with good numbers. Reds are known for that initial bulldogging run that'll make your reel sing, and they're excellent table fare in the slot-size range.
Speckled trout, or "specs" as locals call them, are the most popular inshore species for a reason. They're willing biters, fight well on light tackle, and make some of the best eating you'll find. Peak season runs from March through November, with the biggest fish typically showing up in cooler months. A good trout will make multiple jumps and provide steady action throughout the trip. The 2-4 pound fish are most common, but 5-6 pounders are always possible.
Southern flounder might not be the prettiest fish in the water, but they're masters of camouflage and provide a fun change of pace. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms and can grow surprisingly large – a 3-4 pound flounder is a solid fish, and 5-pounders are true trophies. Fall is prime time for big flounder, and they're absolute table fare champions with firm, white meat that's hard to beat.
Sheepshead are the tackle-testing specialists of the nearshore waters. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and a knack for stealing bait, but when you hook one properly, they provide a strong, steady fight. They're most active in cooler months and love hanging around structure. A 3-5 pound sheepshead is typical, but the occasional 8-10 pounder will really test your skills. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters.
This 8-hour nearshore adventure gives you the perfect balance of inshore marsh fishing and deeper water action that Venice is famous for. With experienced guides, top-notch equipment, and access to some of the most productive fishing waters in the Gulf, you're set up for the kind of day that keeps anglers coming back year after year. The small group size means personalized instruction, better fishing spots, and more fish per angler. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, chase a personal best, or just enjoy a day doing what you love, this trip delivers. Venice Charters Unlimited has built their reputation on putting clients on fish, and this trip showcases exactly why. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons.
Hit the productive nearshore waters of Venice aboard our reliable 25' Skeeter bay boat. This 2022 vessel packs serious fishing power with its 300HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the hotspots fast at speeds up to 55 knots. Built specifically for Louisiana's challenging waters, she handles beautifully whether you're working shallow grass flats for redfish or deeper structure for speckled trout. The spacious deck gives your group of up to 3 anglers plenty of room to fight fish and move around comfortably during those active bite periods. Our GPS navigation system keeps you on course to proven fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the big ones hide. Perfect for targeting the area's famous redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead that make Venice a world-class fishing destination.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of deep water fishing here in Venice. These beautiful pink-to-red fish average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, but we regularly see bigger ones pushing 15+ pounds around the oil rigs and structure in 60-200 feet of water. They're bottom dwellers that love hanging around anything with hard structure - platforms, reefs, and wrecks. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps hit that 60-70 degree sweet spot. What makes them special? They fight hard, pulling straight down to cover, and the meat is absolutely top-tier - mild, sweet, and flaky white flesh that's restaurant quality. My tip: use a heavy sinker to get your bait down fast, and the second you feel that thump, set the hook hard. They'll try to cut your line on structure if you give them slack.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing - bronze-backed bruisers with that signature black spot near their tail. Around Venice, they average 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of bulls pushing 40+ inches that'll test your drag. These fish love skinny water from 1-4 feet deep, cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What makes redfish special is their raw power - they'll make long runs and use their broad tail to bulldoze you around structure. Plus they're excellent eating when kept in the slot. The sight fishing is addictive too, watching their backs push water in ankle-deep flats. My go-to technique: work a gold spoon or soft plastic over shallow shell beds on rising tide. When you hook up, keep steady pressure and let them run - trying to muscle them just straightens hooks.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread and butter fish - silver-sided beauties covered in dark spots that cruise grass flats and shallow bays year-round. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them in 2-8 feet over grass beds, around bayou mouths, and near shell banks where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but night fishing in summer can be spectacular when they move shallow to feed. They're aggressive strikers that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. The fight isn't their strong suit, but the meat sure is - mild, flaky white fillets that taste great fried or blackened. Local trick: fish the edges of grass beds where clear water meets murky water, especially on moving tides. That transition zone holds fish all day long, and a slow-sinking soft plastic worked just above the grass will get bit.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're hands down the most finicky biters we target. These 2-8 pounders hang tight around any structure - bridge pilings, oil platforms, oyster reefs, and docks where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Winter and spring are prime time, especially February through April when they spawn around the jetties. What makes them fun is the challenge - they've got human-like teeth and they're notorious bait thieves. You'll feel them nibbling, testing your bait before committing. But once hooked, they pull hard and make great table fare with sweet, white meat. The key is getting your fiddler crab or shrimp right up against the structure, then being ready to set the hook fast and firm when you feel weight on the line. Use the smallest hook you can get away with.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms throughout our inshore waters. These "doormats" typically run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty over 20 inches that'll make your reel sing. What's wild is both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change color to match whatever bottom they're on. You'll find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass beds, bayous, and channel edges. Fall and winter are prime time as they stage near passes before heading offshore. Guests love the challenge - they're sneaky biters that require patience, but when a big one hits your mud minnow or shrimp, it's game on. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: drift slowly and drag your bait right along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Venice, LA