December in Venice, Louisiana is where winter fishing stops being a slow season and starts being a strategy season. Cold fronts thin out the crowds, water levels swing hard, and both inshore and offshore fish tighten up into patterns you can actually plan around. When the Gulf gives you a weather window, it is prime time for tuna and wahoo. When the wind does what it usually does in December, the marsh bite can still be strong in protected water.
If you want the bigger seasonal picture beyond just December, start with our full guide to winter fishing in Venice, Louisiana. And if you want a what the captain is seeing right now snapshot to compare against your trip dates, read the latest December Venice fishing report for inshore and offshore.
Why December is such a strong month in Venice
Venice sits at the end of the Mississippi River, and that geography is the whole advantage. As winter fronts start pushing through, the marsh drains, the river stage often drops, and water clarity can improve in the lower delta. That combination makes bait easier to pin down and makes game fish easier to pattern.
- Winter fronts can create very low water, even negative lows, which pulls fish off scattered flats and stacks them into what depth remains.
- Sunny afternoons can be better than early mornings because the sun warms shallow mud and dark bottom, and redfish slide up to feed.
- The most productive spot in December is often a type of spot: drains, pipelines, protected ponds, deeper bayou bends, and current breaks.
That is exactly why so many December trips are decided by conditions. We build the plan around wind, river influence, tide movement, and the safest option to keep you on fish.
The December pattern in one sentence
Inshore fish concentrate when the marsh drains and then move shallow when the sun warms it up, while offshore fish stack around structure and current edges whenever the Gulf lets you get there.
Choosing the right December trip out of Venice
Here is a simple way to think about December trip selection, especially for groups traveling in and trying to maximize odds.
| Trip focus | Typical December targets | Best when | Why it shines in December |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore marsh | Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead | Windy days, low water, sunny afternoons | Protected water stays fishable when the Gulf is not, and low water concentrates fish into predictable depth and drains |
| Nearshore and rigs | Tripletail, cobia, seasonal snapper opportunities when open | Light to moderate wind, decent visibility | Shorter runs than true offshore, lots of structure, and excellent sight casting potential around rig habitat |
| Offshore bluewater | Yellowfin tuna and wahoo | Stable forecast, manageable seas, moving current | December is a peak window for trophy tuna, and cold water plus current puts wahoo on the bite around rig lines and lumps |
If you already know what style you want, you can jump straight to Venice inshore fishing charters, nearshore and rig fishing charters, or our offshore deep sea fishing charters out of Venice.
December inshore fishing in Venice
Redfish
December redfish in Venice are about two things: where they go when it is cold, and where they go when it warms up.
Cold mornings commonly push fish toward deeper bayou bends, dead ends, and any spot with a softer bottom that holds heat. After the sun gets up and starts warming the skinniest water, redfish will slide shallow to feed, especially where mud, shell, and bait meet.
A productive December approach is usually slower and more deliberate than summer. In clear water, leaders and presentations can matter more. In dirtier water, noise, vibration, and getting the bait in front of them matters more.
If your goal is a true trophy, our captain has also been calling out opportunities for targeting 40 inch plus bull redfish inshore with artificials or fly techniques in the latest December Venice inshore and offshore fishing report.
Speckled trout
Winter trout like stability. In December, we commonly focus on deeper edges and shell, especially where a drain dumps into a larger bayou or where current funnels bait into a defined lane. When the river is low and the water cleans up in the lower delta, the trout bite can surprise people who assume winter means slow.
The biggest difference for a lot of anglers is cadence. December trout often want something they can track and commit to, which is why suspending style presentations and slower soft plastic work are common winter producers.
Black drum and sheepshead
When December wind makes open water miserable, structure and current can save the day. Black drum and sheepshead are classic winter insurance policies because they relate to hard structure and feed steadily even when temperatures drop.
Around dock lines, rock edges, and rig legs, the bite can be subtle. The general rule is to give sheepshead a second to chew and then lift with intention. Black drum are happy to eat the same groceries and fight like a car door in moving water.
The captain’s latest update also points to sheepshead showing up strong as winter progresses, especially if the river stays low, with expectations of serious volume as we move toward the new year. That is straight out of the current December fishing report from Venice.
December nearshore fishing around rigs and structure
December nearshore is a sweet spot for anglers who want something beyond the marsh, but do not want to gamble everything on a long offshore run. You are still fishing structure, still hunting quality fish, and still in a zone where conditions can be manageable more often than the open Gulf.
Tripletail
Tripletail fishing has been excellent around nearshore oil rigs recently, and it is a perfect December target because it pairs well with clearer water and good visibility. The captain specifically calls out live or artificial shrimp as the most effective approach in the current December Venice fishing report. That is also why polarized glasses and a willingness to slow down and look are such a big deal for nearshore days.
Cobia
Cobia will show up around the same nearshore structure, and they have a habit of making one sighting feel like ten seconds of panic and then a full on brawl. The report notes cobia being caught on bucktails with large paddle tail grubs, with the best results on two ounce bucktail jigs in the current Venice December nearshore report.
About snapper in December
Nearshore snapper opportunities depend heavily on the open season and your trip plan. The captain noted they were catching red snapper consistently nearshore, but that the season has closed and they are giving them a rest after a strong run. That is exactly why December planning should include flexibility and why we always fish the conditions and the legal season in front of us.
If your group wants a nearshore structure trip that can pivot between species depending on the day, start with our nearshore and rig fishing trips out of Venice.
December offshore fishing out of Venice
If the Gulf cooperates, December is one of the most exciting offshore months Venice has to offer.
Yellowfin tuna
The captain’s current outlook is simple: it is big yellowfin tuna season. December is the time of year when yellowfin can push into shallower areas and the lumps to feed on mullet and pogey schools, and it is common to see fish in the 150 pound class showing up during this stretch. That is straight from the latest December Venice offshore fishing report.
Tactically, offshore tuna days are built around current, structure, and what the water is giving you. Depending on conditions, a December tuna plan can include live bait, chunk lines, casting, or trolling. The consistent theme is being ready to adapt and being on the right piece of water when the bite turns on.
For the full offshore trip overview, species, and what a deep sea day looks like, see our offshore fishing charters from Venice, Louisiana.
Wahoo
Wahoo are one of the signature winter bonuses in Venice, and the pattern is straightforward: cold water and moving current turn rig lines into wahoo highways through the heart of winter. December through February is a classic window for targeting them around the up current side of structure and along edges that stack bait.
If one blistering run that melts your brain a little is on your bucket list, December belongs on your calendar.
Tides, river stage, and timing in December
If you only remember one planning concept for December, make it this: winter fronts can dump water out of the marsh, and fish will pile into what depth remains.
That is why so much December success comes from reading the water level and then choosing the best version of depth available that day. After that, timing becomes the lever. Sunny afternoons can be better than early mornings because the sun shifts fish shallow as banks and flats warm.
Lower river stages often mean cleaner water in the lower delta, and cleaner water can warm faster and fish better when the wind lays down. That is also when sight fishing becomes a real option.
What to expect on a December charter with FishNLA
FishNLA runs trips based out of 237 Sports Marina Rd., Venice, Louisiana, and the winter approach is built around flexibility. Inshore days focus on protected water when the wind is up, then sliding shallow when the sun warms the mud. Offshore days are built around weather windows and current, targeting tuna and wahoo around rigs, drillships, and the lumps when conditions allow.
If you want to compare December strategies to the rest of the cold season, our winter fishing guide for Venice, LA lays out the full seasonal approach.
Licenses, permits, and keeping your trip simple
Rules change, and we always fish within current regulations. In general, anglers 18 and up need Louisiana Basic and Saltwater licensing unless covered by the Charter Passenger Saltwater License on a guided trip. Offshore species like tuna and swordfish require a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit, and clients on a paid charter are typically covered under the charter’s permit.
If you want the most straightforward explanation in one place, our Venice winter fishing page also breaks down how we keep your trip legal and stress free.
Where to stay for a December fishing trip in Venice
December trips are often better when you can get to the dock rested, early, and without a long morning scramble. If you want to stay close to the boats, check out our Venice Louisiana fishing lodge lodging option, which is set up for anglers with a full kitchen and fish friendly storage so you can prep, sleep, and roll.
What to bring for December fishing
Dress for the boat ride, not just the afternoon. December can start cold, warm up fast, and then cool off again when you run back in.
- Layered clothing plus a waterproof outer shell
- Non marking deck shoes with good grip on wet surfaces
- Polarized sunglasses for reading flats, color changes, and nearshore structure
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Snacks and drinks you actually like for a full day on the water
- A small dry bag for phone, wallet, and a portable charger
For a quick overview of trip basics, timing options, and common questions, the FishNLA charter FAQ is also worth a skim before you travel.
Booking a December fishing charter in Venice
December fills up fast once consistent fronts start cleaning up the marsh and lining up those crisp weather windows. The best move is to pick your ideal days and then lock them in early so we can match the right trip to the right conditions.
You can reserve your dates through our online charter reservations page, or reach out directly through our contact page if you want help choosing between inshore, nearshore, or offshore based on your group and your goals.