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Family Fishing Venice Louisiana Reel Rusty
- Published Date: December 24, 2025
- Fishing
- $800 price range
Summary
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Family Fishing Adventures
Full Day Kid-Friendly Fishing in Venice
Looking to get your kids hooked on fishing? Venice, Louisiana is hands down one of the best spots to introduce little ones to the sport, and Captain Mark Wagner knows exactly how to make it happen. This 8-hour private charter is built from the ground up for families - we're talking patient instruction, kid-sized gear, and fishing spots that practically guarantee action. You'll launch from Venice Marina at 6:00 AM aboard a spacious 23-foot Fish Master, heading into some of Louisiana's most productive inshore waters where Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead are waiting. At $800 for up to 4 guests, this trip delivers serious value for families wanting to create lasting memories on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Mark runs a relaxed operation that puts kids first. The morning starts early, but trust me - once you see those first fish come over the rail and watch your little ones light up, you'll forget all about the wake-up call. The 23-foot Fish Master gives everyone plenty of room to move around safely, with low gunwales that make it easy for kids to see the action. We'll spend the day working the marshes and shallow flats around Venice, areas known for consistent action and forgiving conditions. Mark keeps extra rods rigged and ready because, let's be honest, tangles and lost tackle are part of the learning process. The goal here isn't to break records - it's to put fish in the boat and smiles on faces. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, and make sure the adults have their Louisiana fishing licenses sorted before you head out.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
This isn't about complicated techniques or heavy tackle - we keep things simple and effective for young anglers. Most of the day involves live bait fishing and light tackle that kids can actually handle. We'll use everything from popping corks with shrimp to bottom rigs for drum and sheepshead around structure. The beauty of Venice's inshore fishing is that you don't need to overthink it. The fish are there, and with the right presentation in the right spots, success comes naturally. Mark provides all the gear, but he'll also teach kids the basics - how to hold a rod properly, when to set the hook, and how to fight a fish without losing it at the boat. The shallow water around Venice means you'll often see the fish before they hit, which adds an extra level of excitement for kids who might be used to fishing blind in deeper water.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the stars of the show around Venice, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-30 inches in these waters and provide the perfect mix of action and fightability for young anglers. They're aggressive feeders that hit live shrimp and cut bait hard, and their broad shoulders make for great photos. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, with fish moving into the shallows to feed as water temperatures rise. Kids love reds because they fight hard but don't run far - perfect for building confidence.
Sea Trout might be the most cooperative species you'll encounter on this trip. These spotted beauties are abundant in Venice's grass flats and have a habit of schooling up, which means where you catch one, you'll likely find more. They average 14-20 inches and hit everything from live shrimp to small artificials. Trout are especially active during the cooler morning hours, making them perfect targets for the early part of your trip. Their soft mouths require a gentle touch, teaching kids finesse and patience.
Sheepshead are the tricksters of the marsh - they're notorious bait stealers that require patience and timing to hook consistently. But when your kid finally connects with one of these black-and-white striped fighters, the payoff is huge. Sheepshead average 12-16 inches around Venice and are most active during cooler months. They love structure like docks, pilings, and rocks, using their human-like teeth to crush crabs and shrimp. Landing a sheepshead is like solving a puzzle, and kids get a real sense of accomplishment when they figure it out.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the group, often weighing several pounds and providing a steady, powerful fight that gets kids' attention without overwhelming them. These bronze-colored bottom dwellers are most active in spring and fall around Venice, and they're suckers for fresh shrimp and crab. Drum have a unique habit of thumping the bottom when they feed, which you can actually feel through the rod - kids think it's the coolest thing ever.
Summer Flounder add an element of surprise to any Venice fishing trip. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting bait. When hooked, they make strong initial runs before settling into a bulldogging fight. Flounder fishing teaches kids to pay attention to subtle bites - these fish don't always slam the bait like redfish or trout. Most Venice flounder run 14-18 inches and are excellent table fare, making them a favorite among families looking to take dinner home.
Time to Book Your Spot
Venice's reputation as a world-class fishing destination isn't built on hype - it's earned through consistent action and memorable experiences like this one. Captain Mark Wagner has dialed in the perfect formula for introducing kids to Louisiana's incredible inshore fishery, combining patient instruction with productive fishing spots and child-friendly techniques. At $800 for a private 8-hour charter accommodating up to 4 guests, you're looking at top-tier value for a family fishing adventure. The memories your kids will make pulling their first redfish out of Venice's productive waters are worth every penny. Don't wait - prime family fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot and the weather is right.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the bruisers of our Louisiana marsh, running 5-30 pounds with those distinctive crushing jaws that sound like drums underwater. These grey-black fish love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crunch on crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the real giants. Kids love the heavy pull these fish give, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your crab bait, don't set the hook right away. Let them chew on it for a few seconds, then give it a solid hookset - their bony mouths are tough to penetrate.
Redfish
Redfish are the kings of our shallow marsh, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These fish range from schoolie size around 20 inches up to bull reds over 30 inches that'll test your drag. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they're feeding heavily. Kids love them because they're aggressive biters and strong fighters that make long runs. The smaller ones are excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Watch for nervous water, tailing fish, or even their backs showing in skinny water. My go-to tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of moving fish and let them come to your bait - spook them and the whole school disappears.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them, are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots that love our grass flats and shallow bays. They typically run 14-20 inches and put up a great fight with some nice runs and jumps. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around grassy areas, especially during early morning and evening feeding times. Spring through fall gives us consistent action, though they school up deeper in winter. Families love them because they bite well and the kids can handle them easily. The white, tender meat is delicious but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. These fish have soft mouths, so when you get a bite, set the hook gently but quickly. A productive local trick is to work topwater plugs early in the morning over grass flats - the surface strikes are something to see.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth that crack open barnacles and crabs. They typically run 1-8 pounds around the docks, bridges, and oil rigs where they feed. Spring months bring the best action when they school up around structures, but we catch them year-round. Kids get a kick out of seeing those weird teeth, and they put up a solid fight on light tackle. The white, flaky meat rivals any fish on the table when cooked right. These guys are notorious bait thieves though - they'll nibble your shrimp or crab clean off the hook if you're not paying attention. Here's the key: get your bait tight against the pilings and when you feel them picking at it, set that hook hard and fast before they steal your bait.
Summer Flounder
Summer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged flatfish that can change colors to match their surroundings. These guys typically run 15-20 inches, though we catch some real doormat-sized ones pushing 5+ pounds. They're ambush hunters that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November give us the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Both eyes on one side of their head make them a unique catch that always gets kids excited. They're also some of the best eating fish we target - sweet, flaky white meat. My trick for landing more flounder: use a slow retrieve with your bait right along the bottom, and when you feel that subtle thump, count to three before setting the hook.
About the 23-foot Fish Master
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
