Venice LA Inshore Fishing with Reel Rusty

Full Day Fishing Trip in Venice, Louisiana

There's something special about Venice, Louisiana that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Maybe it's the way the Mississippi River dumps all that nutrient-rich water into the Gulf, creating one of the most productive inshore fisheries on the planet. Or maybe it's the fact that you can catch five different species in a single morning without even moving spots. Whatever draws you here, Captain Mark Wagner and his 23-foot Fish Master are ready to put you on the fish. This 8-hour private charter starts at first light – 6:00 AM sharp from Venice Marina – and gives you and up to three buddies exclusive access to some of the best redfish, trout, and drum fishing in Louisiana. At $800 for the full group, you're getting a dedicated guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand, plus all the local knowledge that separates a good day from a legendary one.

What to Expect on the Water

Mark's approach is simple: find the fish and put you on them. The 23-foot Fish Master gives you plenty of room to spread out and fight fish without getting tangled up, plus it's shallow enough to get into those back-bay honey holes where the big redfish like to feed. You'll start the day running to productive areas based on current conditions – could be working the grass flats for trout, hitting the oyster reefs for sheepshead, or targeting the deeper cuts where black drum stack up. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is you've got time to adapt and move around. If the trout bite dies off mid-morning, no problem – we'll switch gears and chase reds in the shallows. Venice's location at the mouth of the Mississippi gives you access to everything from protected marsh to open Gulf water, so weather rarely keeps you off the fish completely. Just remember to grab your Louisiana fishing license before you arrive – it's required and easily purchased online.

Techniques & Prime Spots

The fishing here is as diverse as it gets for inshore action. You'll be working everything from live shrimp under popping corks in the grass beds to throwing soft plastics at structure for sheepshead. When the redfish are tailing in skinny water, sight-casting with spoons or soft baits gets your heart pumping in a hurry. The black drum fishing often involves bottom rigs with cut bait around the deeper passes, while summer flounder respond well to bouncing jigs along drop-offs and channel edges. Captain Mark provides all the tackle and knows when to switch techniques based on tides, weather, and fish behavior. The Mississippi Delta creates this maze of productive water – oyster bars that hold sheepshead, grass flats loaded with trout, and muddy shorelines where redfish cruise looking for crabs. Most trips involve hitting multiple spots and adjusting tactics throughout the day, which keeps things interesting and maximizes your chances of a mixed bag.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the stars of the show down here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 5-15 pounds in Venice waters, with plenty of bulls pushing 25+ pounds mixed in. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer brings sight-fishing opportunities in ultra-shallow water that'll spoil you for life. Redfish fight hard, make long runs, and taste fantastic on the table – everything you want in a target species. They're most active during moving tides and love to feed around dawn and dusk.

Sea trout might not have the glamour of redfish, but they make up for it in numbers and eating quality. Venice trout run bigger than most places, with 2-4 pound fish common and occasional 6+ pound "gator trout" mixed in. They school up heavily in spring and fall, creating fast action that keeps rods bent all morning. Look for the best bite during cooler months when trout stack up in deeper holes, though summer nights can produce incredible topwater action.

Black drum are the underrated heavyweights of the marsh. These bottom-dwellers can reach 30-40 pounds and fight like freight trains, making slow, powerful runs that test your drag and patience. Spring is prime time when big drum move into the shallows to spawn, but they're catchable year-round in the deeper passes. They're not flashy fighters, but landing a 20-pound drum on medium tackle is something you'll remember for years.

Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait stealers, but that's what makes them so satisfying to catch. These convict-striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, which means you need perfect timing and sharp hooks to connect. Venice's abundant oyster bars create ideal sheepshead habitat, especially during cooler months when they school up tight. A 3-4 pound sheepshead might not sound impressive, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the marsh.

Summer flounder add another dimension to Venice fishing, particularly during warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. They're excellent table fare and provide a different style of fishing that involves working jigs slowly along the bottom. Most Venice flounder run 1-3 pounds, but 4-5 pound "doormat" fluke show up often enough to keep things interesting.

Time to Book Your Spot

Venice fishing stays productive year-round, but each season brings its own advantages. The variety of species means you're never limited to just one type of fishing, and Captain Mark's experience ensures you'll be targeting whatever's biting best during your visit. This is seasonal fishing at its finest – book early since the best guides fill up fast, especially during peak spring and fall periods. Whether you're after a limit of eating fish or hoping to tangle with a trophy redfish, this 8-hour adventure gives you the time and local expertise to make it happen. The $800