Redfishing Louisiana - Venice

The Mississippi River Delta

The Mississippi River Delta is a historical term for the confluence of the Mississippi with the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. The Delta stretches from Vermillion Bay on the west to the Chandeleur Islands in the east, a three-million-acre area.
Sportsman's Lodge, a floating lodge, is in the Venice Marina. Each day, your guide will come and pick you up from the backdoor of the Lodge.

See our other Redfishing Liveaboard package Dogwood Lodge in the Biloxi Marsh.

Fishing Facts:

Season:  Year-round fishery. Big redfish move into the marsh during the fall and early winter months.
Travel Time:  From the Liveaboard, it takes 10 to 45 minutes, depending on where the fish are. You'll cross the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, then enter the western edge of the marsh.
Guides:  The Lodge works with outstanding and reputable guides for your customized fishing and hunting activities.
Fly/Spin Sightfishing Packages:  Guides use technical poling boats such as Hells Bay and Chittum skiffs. Two anglers per boat and guide.
Inshore Lure/Bait Fishing Packages:  Guides use 24 to 26 ft. bay boats. Three to four anglers per boat and guide.
Offshore Charters:  Use 39 to 44 ft. center consoles, up to six anglers per boat.
Packages Include:  Fuel, ice, flies or tackle, and fish cleaning. If you plan to take fish home, you'll need to bring Ziplok bags and coolers.
Equipment:  The guides supply all rods, reels, and tackle.
Licenses:  You will need to purchase a 5-day non-resident fishing license online for about $30.00. The Lodge will advise on the hunting licenses pending your activity.

Inshore Fishing

Inshore Fishing:  Six hours of guided fishing from departure to return. The Venice area is close to marshes and several barrier islands, offering the best spring, summer, and fall coastal fishing for redfish and speckled trout. Other species include alligator gar, jacks, black drum, and sheepshead.

Offshore Fishing Charters

Offshore Fishing:  Eight to 10 hour fishing days from departure to return. This location offers easy access to the finest offshore fishing just off the mouth of the Mississippi River, as the continental shelf is closer to the mouth than anywhere else in the continental United States. Depths of over 1,000 feet are as close as 15 miles offshore. In addition, the offshore and coastal waters are dotted by hundreds of natural gas platforms and dozens of tethered semi-submersible platforms. The offshore fishery is one of the most diverse in the world, with opportunities to catch blue and white marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, grouper, cobia, amberjack, and snapper.

Sample Fishing Day:
Early hot breakfast – usually served an hour before you leave with your guide.
At 6:30 a.m., the conventional fishing guides pick you up at the Liveaboard's doorstep. At 8:00 a.m. if you’re fly fishing for the day.
Midday: The Lodge provides a packed lunch, bottled water, and soft drinks for you on the boats.
Between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., depending on your package, the guides will return you to the Liveaboard. Enjoy appetizers and an open bar, followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Duck Hunting Charters

Venice is surrounded by vast marshes. Guided and unguided duck hunting charters are available from the Lodge. Duck Hunting is exceptional in the winter. Arranged duck hunting charters – two options: 1) $300.00 per person, you will be put in a blind, decoys put out, and birds and decoys picked up for you. If you are a duck hunter, a guide in the blind is not a necessity.
2) $400.00 per person; you'll hunt from a boat or blind with a guide. Bird cleaning is included. Bring your own shotgun and shells. Teal season is usually the last two weeks of September, and all duck season usually runs mid-November through late January with a two-week split in between. Dates are set annually.

Sportsman's Lodge

Sportsman's Lodge, a 110-ft. houseboat in the Venice Marina, has operated since 2013.

Great Room Area

The Lodge is fully air-conditioned. The great room has a flatscreen television and a dining area.
Communications:  The Liveaboard has free Wi-Fi access. Most cell phones work in the Lodge.

Eight bedrooms are upstairs, five full bathrooms, and one suite room with a full bath. Each room has a flatscreen TV with Direct TV. The Lodge has a washer and dryer that guests can use.

Meals:  Hot breakfast. Packed lunch and soda/bottled water for the boat. Back at the Lodge, you'll enjoy appetizers, memorable southern and Cajun cuisine, and great hospitality. To add a crawfish or shrimp boil to the menu, add $100.00 per person.
Alcohol:  The Lodge has a self-service open bar with beer, wine, and liquor for non-fishing hours. By law, the Lodge cannot provide alcohol for your fishing day, but you can purchase it at the marina store.