Venice, Louisiana is well known for its world-class offshore opportunities, but the inshore fishery here deserves just as much recognition—especially in spring. As the weather warms and the Mississippi River’s conditions begin to shift, the marshes, bays, and backwaters near the mouth of the river come to life with a wide range of gamefish. Spring inshore fishing in Venice is defined by active fish, clean water pockets, and multiple productive species in the same areas.
Inshore Species Available in Spring
The inshore waters around Venice offer an impressive lineup of species once spring takes hold. These include:
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Redfish (bulls and slots)
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Speckled trout
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Black drum
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Sheepshead
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Flounder
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Tripletail
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Jack crevalle
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Juvenile tarpon (rare)
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Snook (extremely rare)
Of all these species, the most consistent and popular springtime targets are redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead. Each one brings something different to the table in terms of how they fight, where they’re found, and how they’re caught.
Prime Targets in Spring
Redfish remain a staple in the Venice inshore scene year-round, but spring brings more opportunity for sight fishing as water clarity improves. Slot reds push into shallower ponds and grass flats to feed actively during warming trends. Meanwhile, bull reds often stay closer to major passes and deeper points near the river mouths, ambushing baitfish swept by the tide.
Speckled trout begin staging in larger numbers as water temps rise. They’re often found in broken marsh, current edges, and interior bays where bait becomes more active. Early spring can still mean slower bites with bigger fish, but as the season moves forward, numbers improve and topwater strikes become more common.
Black drum are usually present in solid numbers through spring, often in the same areas as redfish but deeper or closer to structure. They aren’t as flashy in terms of fight, but they’re reliable and fun to target when other fish aren’t cooperating.
Sheepshead finish up their winter spawn and remain aggressive around pilings, rocks, and oyster bars. They’re well known for being bait thieves, but they also provide great action with the right presentation. Spring is the tail end of peak season for them, so it’s a good time to take advantage before they thin out in summer.
Flounder are not always thick in spring, but they do show up, especially around sandy cuts and drains. They’re more commonly caught while targeting other fish but are a welcome surprise when they strike.
Tripletail, jack crevalle, juvenile tarpon, and snook are all occasional catches that depend heavily on salinity and water conditions. Tripletail are more likely later in spring near surface structure. Jacks will push into bays chasing bait, offering explosive action when they appear. Tarpon and snook are rare this far north and are not common enough to plan trips around, but they’re not unheard of during a strong warmup and the right flow from the river, when conditions line up just enough to bring them into casting range.
Common Tactics for Spring Inshore Fishing
Spring fishing in Venice requires adapting to shifting water clarity, salinity, and bait movement. While the fish stay consistent, the approach often changes based on tide and location. Below are the core methods used inshore during spring, each with a practical breakdown for effective use.
Sight Fishing
Primary Targets: Redfish
Conditions: Clear, shallow water with calm wind and sun overhead
Gear Setup: Medium-light spinning rod, 10–15 lb braid, 20–30 lb leader, weedless soft plastics or gold spoons
Presentation: Quietly drift or pole across shallow flats. Cast ahead of cruising fish and retrieve slowly with short pauses. Keep movements controlled to avoid spooking fish in tight water.
Fishing Deep Water and Passes
Primary Targets: Bull redfish
Conditions: Moving tide, deeper edges near passes or outlets
Gear Setup: Medium-heavy setup, 30–50 lb braid, heavy jigheads or bait rigs with cut mullet or crab
Presentation: Drift or anchor near current seams. Keep baits on bottom and monitor for slow pickups. Swimbaits can be worked slowly with the current if fish are active.
Drift Fishing
Primary Targets: Speckled trout
Conditions: Open bays and marsh edges with bait and moderate current
Gear Setup: Medium-action rod, 10–15 lb braid, jigheads, topwaters, twitchbaits, or popping corks
Presentation: Maintain a steady drift and work lures at varying depths. Adjust retrieve based on temperature—slower in cooler water, faster as conditions warm.
Bait Fishing Around Structure
Primary Targets: Black drum, sheepshead
Conditions: Rocks, pilings, or shell beds with light to moderate current
Gear Setup: Medium rod, 20 lb braid, small hooks, shrimp or crab on Carolina or dropper rigs
Presentation: Drop baits tight to structure. Let them sit with little movement. Stay alert for soft bites and lift to set the hook.
Dragging Bottom
Primary Targets: Flounder
Conditions: Sandy points, drains, and channel edges on a moving tide
Gear Setup: Medium rod, 10–15 lb braid, jigheads with soft plastics or bucktails
Presentation: Cast and drag along bottom with brief pauses. Flounder usually strike when the bait stops. Maintain tension to feel subtle bites.
A Productive Season in the Marsh
Spring is one of the most reliable and action-filled times to fish the inshore waters around Venice. As the river settles and temperatures climb, a wide range of species become more accessible across the marsh, bays, and passes. From sight fishing redfish in the shallows to drifting grass lines for speckled trout or working bottom edges for flounder, the variety and consistency of the bite stand out this time of year.
Understanding how each method applies to changing conditions is key to staying productive. Some days call for quiet, controlled drifts; others demand heavy rigs and bottom contact in current. When you match the right approach to the right area, the fish are usually there.
If you’re looking to make the most of the spring bite, FishnLA runs inshore trips throughout the season with experienced captains who know how to read the marsh and adapt quickly to conditions. We provide all the gear, handle the planning, and put you on fish from start to finish. Book your trip today and experience spring fishing in Venice the way it should be—steady action, smart tactics, and no wasted time.