Planning to spend about 3 days in Venice the second week in October. I'm taking my Ranger 23 Bay to do some inshore fishing and would like to do some offshore with a guide as well. I'd love to catch some tuna but have no experience at it and dont even know if the tuna are still around in early Oct. I've searched the sites and understand lodging is limited so I probably need suggested locations so I can make reservations now. I'd also like some suggested guides. The perfect setup would be 1 guide that will guide from my boat for a day of inshore plus another day on his boat offshore. I'm flexible...its more important to be put on the fish than to have a single guide.
Points already addressed by searches:
- Have proof of boat ownership when trying to leave the area
- Limited gas, food and drink...take it with you
- Make all reservations now...which is why I need guide and lodging advice
- Take plenty of coolers to carry fish out

What else do I need to consider?

Thanks

Jeff

Contact Capt. Eddie Burger. eddieburger@charter.net
He does the offshore
thing, but will also go out in your boat .
I have only fished the area a couple of times,
so I am no expert. Which passes are open depend
on the river level and storms. You will want some
good maps and a good gps. I believe Tuna are
available year round, just depends on how much
ga$$ you want to spend.
You may want to talk to Capt Jeff Dauzat, Cell - (504)818-2176. He can put you on trout and reds.
He knows the Venice , Delacroix and Hopedale
areas. Trout fishing in Breton Sound can be World Class. I don't know if he would go on your boat,
but you could check. Nice guy .

This place just finished rebuilding and might be able to field some questions. I've never been but it sure looks like fun.

http://www.venicemarina.com/

Sounds like a fun trip, I can't wait to get back to La. for some tuna fishing. Look up captain eddie or reelpeace charters. October should be fine for the tuna and I wish you the best of luck. Last time down, we landed a ton of blackfin and two 142lb yellowfin and an 82lb yellow. The fishing out of venice and fourchon is awesome!

thanks for the info...

Jeff

Jeff,

Just got back from fishing Venice and we tied up and stayed at the Venice Marina for the night. I can tell this...the area is still trying to come back from the butt kicking that Katrina handed it. The Venice Marina is about one of the only places that has rebounded after the storm. The owner of the Marina is a great guy and he can help out with any info that you need.

The Marina is pretty new and has alot of items but you really want to stock up on any real essentials before you get there. They have beer and basic grocery items, but that is about it. There is a bait shop right there and they can get you what you need to help you land reds, trout, or tuna.

When we were there I asked about local restaurants and places to stay and was told by alot of the boat crews that either there were none or you had to drive a long way to find them.

Speaking of great guys, go to the cleaning stations at the Marina when the local charters come back in and look at the catches of nice size yellow fin and red snapper. ALL of the guides are friendly and usually will give you great advise about which rigs are HOT and where the Tuna are at. Might cost you a beer, but it is worth it. They also clean fish there too. They are really good guys and the beer drinking and fish stories you'll hear in the evening are great times.

I will definitely go back as soon as I get the gas money up.

Good luck on the trip and you will really enjoy the fishing.

Dan