Offshore Fishing in Louisiana

Louisiana is an earnest angler's dream destination, with crystal-clear lakes, rich marshes, productive brackish estuaries, and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. No two Louisiana fishing vacations will look and feel the same if you’re adventurous enough. Ask any expert angler who regularly casts a line in the Pelican State.

With all its many fishing opportunities, nothing beats Louisiana offshore fishing. The state opens itself up to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, known worldwide as one of the top fishing waters in terms of diversity. This unbeatable access to the Gulf has made fishing on Louisiana offshore charters off the charts.

The Gulf of Mexico is even more attractive to game fish because of the number of oil platforms and underwater structures that have since transformed into perfect artificial habitats.

In this quick guide to offshore fishing in Louisiana, we’ll explore the best deep sea fishing spots in the beloved Sportsman’s Paradise, the top game fish you can expect to catch, and the best techniques to hook and land your target.

Best Louisiana Offshore Fishing Spots

1. Venice

Venice is the ultimate Louisiana fishing hotspot, smack dab where the epic Mississippi River meets the legendary Gulf of Mexico. A 70-mile drive down Highway 23 from Orleans, this city is an angler’s Mecca. It has miles upon miles of shoreline access to the Gulf. Still, most importantly, it is a renowned hub for some of the best offshore fishing charters in Louisiana, launching out of Venice Marina or Cypress Cove Marina.

Charter fishing offshore in Venice is not for the faint of heart or a lonesome beginner, as navigating its waters miles off the marina can be quite confusing. Booking the expert services of a Venice fishing charter or an excellent local guide is the best way to navigate its offshore waters for any visiting angler, novice or not.

2. Grand Isle

Grand Isle offshore fishing is nothing short of grand, indeed. The state’s only inhabited barrier island sits right in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and boasts more than 280 fish species in its midst. Inshore fishing is rich on this barrier island -- you don't need to venture too many miles off the shore to enjoy some excellent Gulf coast fishing. But if you're feeling adventurous, offshore fishing here is top-notch. Aside from its fantastic offshore fishing, it is well-loved as the venue of the oldest fishing tournament in the United States, the International Tarpon Rodeo. This three-day saltwater fishing event brings out the best of the best from all over the country and the world, competing to land the biggest trophy fish species lurking in the Gulf: tarpon, wahoo, blackfin tuna, and blue marlin.

3. Cocodrie

Cocodrie is a small fishing village with ample offshore fishing opportunities. As a fishing hotspot, it is quite an open secret, especially for anglers in the know. Just one look at Cocodrie on the map should tell you why it’s such a great fishing location — its proximity to marshes and barrier islands. The southern part of the village, in particular, offers access to barrier islands that flounder and snapper from the Gulf love.

4. Port Fourchon

Port Fourchon is a unique multi-use coastal port situated at Bayou Lafourche’s mouth, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is primarily a base for many offshore energy companies. However, its direct access to the Gulf has made it one of the area’s top gateways to excellent fishing. Apart from its excellent inshore marshlands and surf fishing, many offshore fishing charters launch here to take anglers to the oil rigs that consistently attract many Gulf fish species. Fishing charters here can also take you to Grand Isle and other Louisiana barrier islands that hold even more fish.

Top Offshore Fish Species in Louisiana

Louisiana offshore fishing means year-round access to classic trophy fish in the deep. Hunting and fighting blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna can happen almost any year on offshore rigs. In the summer, tuna fishing is still hopping, but targeting red snapper is a definite must. If you’re looking for a big fight, the common dolphinfish or mahi mahi should also get you all fired up in the summer. To improve your chances of finding this unusual-looking fish, search for cool water temperature breaks. The same goes for wahoo.

Dropping baits in the depths or bottom fishing will help you land mangrove snapper and other snapper and grouper varieties. Trolling is the way to go if you’re targeting tripletail, kingfish, and wahoo.

Summer is always the go-to season for most anglers going deep sea fishing, but winter can also offer excellent offshore experiences. It is colder and more challenging, but the fish are there. Louisiana’s winters are relatively mild, averaging in the mid-60s, so you shouldn’t be too cold. Winter fishing in Louisiana, while not as uncomfortable, can still be pretty challenging as you’re dealing with fewer daylight hours, so you don’t have time to get pleasantly lost. So if you’re heading into Louisiana deep during the colder months, book a local fishing charter and guide like Serigne's Fishing Charters launching off New Orleans, to help you navigate and maximize your time in the waters.

If you’re still not quite ready for Louisiana’s legendary offshore fishing, there are other fantastic fishing experiences you can still partake in the state. Book Louisiana Livin Adventures LLC in Chauvin and Tapped Out Charters in New Orleans for inshore fishing and duck-hunting trips. Off the Grid Fishing Charters offers inshore and offshore fishing in the waters of St. Bernard. Southern Access Charters makes inshore and nearshore fishing in Venice a memorable experience.