Who do you guys use for Venice guides/lodging or outfitters? We are a bunch of bass fisherman from North Texas looking to do something different. Looking to do a trip with a couple of inshore days for Reds and maybe one day offshore.

What time of year is best and second best?

I can only attest to time of year, as I have only used one guide, one time down there and it didn't go so well (guide's outboard blew up the day before we showed up, so he tried to get a loaner boat... and so on and so forth, but we still caught fish, just only got to fish about half a day).

When I lived in Lafayette, we used to always go down to Venice right around Halloween, I have been down there in mid-May as well. We seemed to do better in the fall, but I do not think there is a bad time to go really, especially if you are going with a guide.

The weather was also always/usually nice in the fall. During April, May, and June, you can almost set your watch to the afternoon thunderstorms, and they aren't just little showers, more like squalls.

We always fished the SW Pass, and you just can't beat catching a largemouth one cast, a blue cat on the next, then a stingray, then redfish, ladyfish, flounder, speckled trout... You just never knew what you were going to pull up next. Way too much fun.

I haven't been offshore, but I watched a show the other day that they were catching 60-100 lb yellowfin in November.

That was probably one of the least helpful posts ever. Sorry.

I'm heading out to Venice tomorrow afternoon for a offshore trip with Eddie Burger. He operates a 36' Contender. I got a party of six together for the trip http://www.fishvenice.com/
I'll report when I return on sunday. Making the long run out to the floaters for the YFT



Here is a trip from Venice on new years... WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Went two years ago this time of year. It was 40 degrees down there. (cold front) We slayed the Reds and Trout. Whoever you guys go with you will have a good time! Contact Billy Nicholas at Venice Fishing Lodge. 512-738-0335 or 504-657-5937. Good Luck!

Definitely go offshore. Inshore is great but offshore is something special. Summer months for consistent weather and good fishing. Either Capt Eddie or Paradise Outfitters are both solid choices.

If you just want inshore I would go to Calcasieu. Lots of fish and it's not at the end of the world. However everyone that fishes should go to Venice at least once in their life.

My suggestion for a first trip is go 1 day inshore and at least 1 day offshore. From now until March you can make the trip out to the Midnight Lump for trophy yft or hit the floaters. The drawback is potentially high seas and bad weather. The seas calm down quite a bit from May-August and the average yft size decreases a little but the fishing is still phenomenal. I prefer the summer over winter because I don't mind the heat and would rather fish in 1-3 ft seas vs. 4-6, anchored. Here is how I rank the offshore guides:
1. Paradise Outfitters - Hunter Cabellero
2. Osprey Charters - James Peters
3. Paradise Outfitters - Scott Leger
4. Eddie Burger

They are all good and will work hard but that is my opinion from fishing Venice 15 times over the past 20 years. Make sure you ask if fuel is included because most of the time it is not. I think Hunter might be including it in his rate now but I'm not sure about that. I would stay at Venice Marina in the elevated cabins. We always drive so we can bring the fish back. I brought my foodsaver last time and we bagged all the fish on the trip which was nice. The options for dining in Venice are very limited. We bring an Old Smokey and our own food. We take my cousin's boat for inshore trips so I don't have a guide to recommend. SW pass is great for big reds but you have to chase the trout a little. I hope that helps.

Neil

DON'T GO....

You'll do like I did..Sell your bass boat and buy a CC boat and be gone every other weekend.

You think a 5-8lb bass pulls..Catch a SMALL 3lb red and see if he doesn't pull drag out..Not to mention the 54" red I caught 20 min later....and the other 60+ reds we caught...

You've been warned!!!

+1000

These guys are top notch !! Went down for 4 days last Oct. It was INSANE !!! My arms and side were sore for days !! Words cant describe it and there's really no way to prepare yourself it. When you hook into a 30lber and the drag is screaming, and that braid is peeling off of your reel, and you think your about to get spooled--do not...and I repeat DO NOT put your thumb on the spool to try and slow it down !!!

If you do go to Venice Fishing Lodge, try and get hooked up with Shawn for your guide. I guarantee you will have the time of your life. Were planning on going back down in the spring !!