Venice, LA
Located just north of the mouth of the mighty Mississippi lies the community of Venice. Here you will find a vast estuary consisting of passes and bayous off the river with strong currents pouring sediment rich waters into the Gulf of Mexico which in turn creates some of the most incredible fishing in the world.
The yellowfin tuna population are local and with recent tagging programs they have been found to be non migrational. Each month out of the year holds something special for the offshore big game angler. From January to March the tuna will be keyed in on large rafts of mullet that are pushing offshore to spawn. This triggers a bite for fish up to and over 200lbs. During these months we fish the "lump" area. Strong currents push up the slopes of the ancient salt dome bringing with it bait and following close behind are the yellowfin tuna.
Also, during this period our wahoo run is second to none, including the Bahamas. Fish up to and over 100lbs are very common along with multiple hook-ups. For the serious adventure seeker, mako sharks up to 800lbs can be caught at this time. Caution, these fish are not for the faint of heart!
Starting in the month of April the river is generally high, which makes for the most formed up rips that you will ever see! Bull dolphin up to 50lbs will be there for the taking with 12 fish days very common.
Another highlight for this time of year are the blue marlin.Considered by some as "The King" of the ocean. These fish run the rips picking off bull and chicken dolphin with reckless abandon and make themselves easy targets. The average size being 250lbs to 450lbs. Starting in May the tuna will start feeding on threadfin herring, small hardtails and live menhaden. These baits fished out of riggers and off the kite will produce amazing strikes. Generally, these fish will run 50-100lbs with bigger fish occasionally caught. Another productive way to draw strikes this time of year is with top water poppers. You have not lived until a 80lb tuna crushed a topwater.
For the rig fisherman, the possibilities are endless. Red snapper limits are guaranteed. Fish up to and over 30lbs are very common. The cobia in the summer months can be found on the offshore platforms, shallow water rips and just about anything found floating in less than 200ft. The average size is generally 35-55lbs. If grouper is your game we have a variety of species including the deepwater species such as snowy, yellowedge and the giant warsaw. Gags and scamps can be caught on butterfly style jigs and small live baits. Scamps run up to and over 25lbs and the gags slightly bigger.
For the really deepwater enthusiasts a multiple list of species include tilefish, barrelfish, brotulas and other delicious goodies. Starting in Late September and early October once again, large yellowfin will start showing up behind shrimp boats working in 200-300ft. These fish gorge themselves on by-catch dumped over by the workers. The typical size of these fish will be anywhere from 130-200lbs and will readily take a large chunk and or bartered by-catch from the boats. All of these things along with some of the best duck hunting in the US along with unbelievable inshore action make Venice truly special.
Captain William Wall
Pelagic Charters, L.L.C.
1.225.454.5365