Venice, Louisiana: Sportsman's Paradise

Where else along the Gulf coast can a destination get away with calling itself "A Sportsman's Paradise," "Tuna Town USA," and "The Redfish Capital Of The World? Like the old saying goes, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it."

Just two hours south of the New Orleans airport, fishing the area can be confusing, busy, and booked up. Anglers are wise to contact a fishing guide service and/or search online for "Venice, Louisiana fishing." Guides know the latest on regulations and can arrange everything from lodging, meals, and licenses, to matching the right guide with fishermen. Be sure to ask your lodge if they will cook your catch for you.

Unless you're a very experienced angler, the nature of fishing around Venice lends itself to using guides. The fishery here is a confusing maze of canals, marshes, passes, ever-changing shallow tidal flats, and deep open sea that require a guide's daily knowledge of where the fish are active and how to get there safely and back. If you want to run your own boat, consider hiring a local captain to run it for you the first day or two. You'll shorten the learning curve and enjoy your trip that much more.