The Sportsmans Lodge

THE FISHING

Inshore- Venice is surrounded by vast network marshes and is close to several barrier islands offering some of the best spring, summer and fall coastal fishing for redfish, speckled trout and several other species of fish. The coastal wetlands that surround Venice have a number of diverse landscapes that connect a variety of habitats to both the land and water. These wetlands are one of the nation’s most productive and important natural assets. Consisting of natural levees, barrier islands, forests, swamps, and fresh, brackish and saline marshes, the region is home to complex ecosystems and habitats that are necessary for sustaining an exceptionally healthy redfish population.

The level of bait in the water around Venice is nothing short of astonishing. Everywhere you go, from the bays and estuaries you fish, to crossing open water to get to the outer islands, the amount of baitfish you’ll see during the course of a day goes a long way to explaining why there are so many redfish in the area and why they grow to such a large size.

Venice’s inshore fishery is completely dominated by the Mississippi River. The fresh sediment rich waters that pour in to the gulf from the Mississippi color the waters around Venice with a dark tea stain not that different from some of Central America’s best tarpon rivers. Starting in the fall, the Mississippi starts to deposit substantially less sediment in to the gulf, meaning the waters begin to clear up as the air temperatures start to drop. The cooler air brings cooler water temperatures and this in turn brings the large bull reds in from offshore to feed in the shallow waters of Venice’s expansive marshland.

Offshore – This location offers easy access to the finest off shore fishing just off the mouth of the Mississippi River, where the continental shelf is closer off the mouth of the river than anywhere else in the continental United States. Depths of over 1000 ft. are as close as 15 miles offshore. In addition, the off shore and coastal waters are dotted by hundreds of natural gas platforms and dozens of tethered semi-submersible platforms. The off shore fishery near Venice is one of the most diverse in the world with opportunities to catch Blue & White Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper, Cobia, Amberjack and Snapper.

Sportsmen’s Lodge can also be booked for both water fowl hunts and Cast and Blasts.
The Coastal Zone duck season runs from Nov. 12 – Dec. 4 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 22, 2017

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

East Cape Vantage Skiffs, Hells Bay and Dolphin Super skiffs powered by Honda 4 stroke 50-70 HP engines. The boats have plenty of cockpit space to move around and have the coffin box for extra seating. The skiffs are fast and hit and draft beautifully in about 6 inches of water, meaning that guests will be able to access all but the skinniest of water found throughout the islands and marshlands.

GETTING THERE

Guests will normally fly in and out of the New Orleans International Airport. A driver will be waiting for you in the baggage section of the airport holding a sign with your name on it. He will then drive you directly down to the lodge. If you are staying in New Orleans for a night or two before the start of your fishing trip, our driver will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel for the two hour drive down to Venice.

Slipstream is a full service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

RATES FOR 2024

7 Nights / 6 Days $4,745 USD DBL
6 Nights / 5 Days $4,055 USD DBL
5 Nights / 4 Days $3,365 USD DBL
4 Nights / 3 Days $2,675 USD DBL
3 Nights / 2 Days $1,985 USD DBL

A single room supplement is an additonal $75 USD per night per person.