Expert Local Guides: At Sportsman’s Lodge, you’ll fish alongside seasoned, reputable guides who know the Mississippi River Delta and Gulf waters like the back of their hand. Each trip is tailored to your skill level—whether you prefer fly fishing, spin fishing, or traditional tackle.

Customized Fishing Adventures: Your guide adjusts every outing based on target species, weather conditions, and your personal preferences. Whether you’re stalking trophy bull redfish in shallow marshes or venturing offshore for tuna, mahi‑mahi, snapper, and amberjack, your day is designed for success.

Personalized Attention: Sightfishing trips (fly or light spin) keep groups small—typically two anglers per guide—so you get hands-on instruction and expert guidance on technique and fish location.

Fly Fishing

• Sightfishing Focus: Cast directly to cruising or tailing redfish on shallow marsh flats.

• Target Species: Primarily bull redfish, with occasional black drum, speckled trout, and sheepshead.

• Shallow Flats: Most fishing occurs in waters just a few feet deep, allowing for careful spotting and accurate casts.

• Skill Levels: Perfect for beginners learning to cast or advanced anglers refining fly fishing techniques.

Spin Fishing

• Sightfishing Action: Use light spinning tackle to target visible fish on shallow flats.

• Target Species: Bull redfish, plus black drum, speckled trout, and sheepshead depending on conditions.

• Gear & Lures: Soft plastics and artificial lures that mimic baitfish and crustaceans.

• Shallow Flats: Ideal for precision casting and spotting fish before striking.

• Skill Levels: Accessible for beginners and experienced anglers alike, with guidance on lure selection and technique.

nshore / Sightfishing Species

• Bull Redfish: The marquee species for shallow marsh flats and fly/spin sightfishing.

• Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout): Common in the marsh and bays, great for both fly and light spin fishing.

• Black Drum: Often found alongside redfish in shallow waters.

• Sheepshead: Found around structures and shallow flats.

• Jack Crevalle: Occasionally encountered in the delta flats.

Offshore / Deepwater Species

• Tuna (Yellowfin, Blackfin): Targeted on offshore charters in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Mahi-Mahi (Dorado): Seasonal offshore pelagic species.

• Snapper (Red Snapper): Found around reefs and oil platforms offshore.

• Amberjack: Larger predatory fish found in deeper offshore waters.

• Other Pelagics & Bottomfish: Depending on season and offshore conditions.

• Guest Rooms: The lodge offers multiple staterooms with flexible sleeping arrangements, including twin beds, bunks, and options for private or shared bathrooms.

• Comfort & Connectivity: Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, DirecTV, and complimentary Wi‑Fi, keeping you entertained and connected during your stay.

• Onboard Amenities: A washer and dryer make longer trips convenient, ensuring you can stay comfortable throughout your fishing adventure.

Year‑Round Fishing at Sportsman’s Lodge

Open All Year: Sportsman’s Lodge welcomes anglers year‑round, with access to both marsh flats and offshore waters in every season. There’s no formal “closed season,” so trips can be booked anytime.

Peak Redfish Months: While the Mississippi River Delta fishes well throughout the year, trophy bull redfish often move into the marsh from fall through early winter, particularly mid‑October to early spring, offering prime sightfishing conditions.

Seasonal Highlights

• Fall & Winter (Sept–Mar): Ideal for bull redfish, sightfishing, and cooler-weather trips. October is often considered the peak month for red action.

• Spring & Summer: Still productive for inshore and offshore species such as speckled trout, tuna, and other Gulf fish, depending on water and weather conditions.

Inshore & Offshore Opportunities

Venice’s location on the Gulf continental shelf provides year-round access to both inshore marsh and flats fishing as well as offshore charters. Weather and sea conditions influence offshore trips, but inshore fishing remains consistently productive throughout the year.

Inshore Guided Fly Fishing + Lodging Packages

• Booking: Minimum of two anglers required.

• Price per Person:

  • 7 nights / 6 days guided fishing – $4,950

  • 6 nights / 5 days guided fishing – $4,175

  • 5 nights / 4 days guided fishing – $3,400

  • 4 nights / 3 days guided fishing – $2,625

  • 3 nights / 2 days guided fishing – $1,850

Guided Inshore Conventional Fishing + Lodging Packages

• Booking: Minimum of two anglers required.

• Price per Person:

  • 7 nights / 6 days guided fishing – $5,250

  • 6 nights / 5 days guided fishing – $4,425

  • 5 nights / 4 days guided fishing – $3,600

  • 4 nights / 3 days guided fishing – $2,775

  • 3 nights / 2 days guided fishing – $1,950

• Wade Fishing at the Chandeleur Islands:

  • Available as an add-on for inshore conventional packages.

  • Additional $150 per boat per day for fuel.

Offshore Guided Fishing Packages

• Boat Capacity: Up to six anglers per boat.

• Requirements: Guests must provide their own group and rods/reels.

• Rate: $2,500 per boat per day

• Includes: Guided fishing, ice, tackle, live bait, and fish cleaning.

• Not Included: Daily fuel charge of approximately $1,500 per boat.

Fly Rod

• 8-weight — Best all-around choice for Louisiana redfish.

• 9-weight — Excellent for windier days or when casting larger poppers/streamers.

• (Some anglers bring an 8/9-weight combo for ultimate flexibility.)

Why: Redfish are powerful, often in wind, and cast heavy flies or distance — 8–9 weights handle it cleanly.

Fly Reel

• Saltwater-rated with smooth drag

• Large arbor design to improve line retrieval and reduce backlash.

• Drag capable of handling strong runs from 20–40+ lb fish.

Backing:

• 150–250 yards of 20–30 lb backing (reds run hard and far).

Fly Line / Leaders

• Floating weight-forward line — best for shallow sightcasting.

• Optional intermediate line for deeper water.

• Leaders: 9–12 ft fluorocarbon, 12–20 lb test depending on conditions.

Spin Fishing Gear for Bull Redfish

Spin Rod

• 7’0″ to 7’6″ Medium-Heavy

  • Fast action for accurate casts and quick hook sets.

  • Good backbone for battling bull reds.

Spinning Reel

• Size 4000–5000 saltwater reel

• Sealed drag and bearings to resist corrosion.

• Smooth drag for hard runs.

Lines & Leaders

• Braided line: 20–30 lb (common choice for strength and sensitivity)

• Fluorocarbon leader: 20–30 lb
  (Higher pound test if fishing around structure or heavy cover)

The lodge comfortably accommodates up to 18 anglers or guests at one time.

Guided Fishing Structure

Fishing packages are booked by private group, and parties are not combined with outside guests. Your total number of anglers for the week depends entirely on the size of your group reservation.

A fully booked lodge would host 18 anglers fishing together, which represents the typical maximum weekly capacity.

Weekly Booking Overview

• If your group reserves all available lodging, up to 18 anglers can fish during that week.

• Smaller groups enjoy a fully private experience — trips are not supplemented with unrelated anglers.

Inshore / Sightfishing Boats

Technical Poling Skiffs:
Shallow-draft skiffs built specifically for navigating marsh flats and skinny water. These boats carry two anglers and a guide, allowing for quiet poling and precise positioning when sightfishing redfish in just inches of water.

Inshore Conventional Boats

24–26 ft Bay Boats:
Designed for guided inshore fishing with lures or live bait, these versatile boats comfortably accommodate 3–4 anglers. They offer excellent stability and deck space for working marsh edges, islands, and tidal channels.

Offshore Charter Boats

39–44 ft Center Console Boats:
Large, powerful offshore vessels that can carry up to six anglers for deepwater Gulf trips. These boats target tuna, mahi-mahi, snapper, amberjack, and other pelagic species. Trips typically include tackle, bait, ice, and fish cleaning; fuel costs are additional.

1.) Fly into New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY).

2.) From the airport, it’s approximately a two-hour drive (about 90 miles) south to Venice, situated at the edge of the Mississippi River Delta. Many guests rent a car and enjoy the scenic drive through Louisiana’s coastal wetlands.

Upon arrival at Venice Marina, you’ll board the 110-foot floating Sportsman’s Lodge, your home base for the duration of your adventure.

Departure Day

Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.

If you’re fishing on your departure day, the lodge will securely store your luggage until you return. If a room is available afterward, you’re welcome to shower and change before heading home.

The Custom Fishing Package + Lodging Package Includes:
• Houseboat lodging and Wi-Fi access
• Breakfast and dinner at the Lodge
• A sack lunch, sodas, and water during guided trips
• House alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks at the Lodge
• Guided fishing
• Inshore includes the use of fly or spin outfits
• All tackle
• Dead bait for conventional inshore fishing
• Live & dead bait for offshore fishing only
• Fish cleaning service, if applicable

All Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare to and from New Orleans
• Roundtrip ground transfers between New Orleans and the Lodge
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Fishing or hunting licenses
• Rod and reel for offshore packages
• Live bait for inshore ($25 to $50 per angler per day)
• Packing and shipping of your catch (available at Venice Marina)
• Alcoholic beverages during guided trips
• 10.95% lodging tax
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.
• Guided Conventional Fishing Charters to nearby oil rigs or the Chandeleur Islands do not include a $150 fuel charge.
• Offshore Fishing Charters do not include a daily fuel charge, approximately $1,500 per group.