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Venice Florida Fishing Charters

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For anglers, Venice, Florida means just one thing: unrivaled inshore and offshore opportunity!

And Venice’s fishing charters are ready to help make your trophy dreams come true. From brackish estuaries full of reds to reefs packed with grouper, you’ll find the fishing you’re looking for. Winter temperatures are mild, and the fishing is good year-round.

On the Gulf shore of Florida, just north of Fort Myers, Venice is easy to reach by plane and just a short drive from Southwest Florida International Airport.

Fishing in Venice Florida

The Gulf Coast of Florida has long been home to an experienced fleet of captains, and the charter fishing in Venice is as plentiful as great spots to visit with rod and reel.

This location offers something for everyone, and whether you prefer to go it alone or hire a charter, the waters around Venice will deliver.

Venice Fishing Pier

Open 24/7, the Venice Fishing Pier is a local hotspot. Served by Papa’s Bait Shop, which opens at 6:30 every morning, you’ll find the right tackle for whatever you're chasing--provided you’re not looking to catch sharks, which are now illegal to fish from the pier.

Venice Inlet and Jetty

A premier spot for snooks, sheepshead, sea bream, and red, this shallow body of water in the heart of Venice is accessible by boat or the Venice Jetty, a walkway paralleling the Intercoastal.

Venice’s Inshore and Offshore Reefs

From inshore reefs like Venice Reef to M9 and D9 offshore, this region promises fantastic fishing for grouper, mahi-mahi, mackerels, and wahoo.

Some of these spots are just minutes from the Inlet, while others might take an hour or two to reach, so the options for short trips and long excursions are excellent, whatever you pick.

Rules & regulations

Most fishing charters provide licenses, but if you want to venture out on your own, you’ll need to purchase a valid license. Regulations on bag and size limits apply, and your captain will keep you informed about those.

Venice Florida Fishing Seasons

  • January

    Snooks, tarpon, and redfish can be found inshore, and mild temperatures and sunny mornings mean the fishing is excellent. Offshore, Venice’s many wrecks and artificial reefs hold grouper and mackerels.

    February

    The snook and red bite stays strong in February, and the sheepshead are biting well, too. Offshore, the amberjack are really turning on over the reefs, low ledges, and other bottom features.

    March

    Kings, Jacks, and Reds are the hand you’ll be dealt inshore, and you won’t hear any complaints! On the reefs, the wahoo are coming to the fore.
  • April

    The water is warming up in April, and this far south, it can feel like summer’s already here. The red bite is still excellent, as is the fishing for black drum, snooks, tarpon, and spotted sea trout. Barracuda, kings, and amberjack are the targets in deeper water, as well as the occasional blackfin tuna.

    May

    Warm waters slow the redfish in May, but the cobia, black grouper, and Jacks are going strong. Other great inshore species this time of year include tarpon and snooks. Over reefs and wrecks, you’ll find pelagic species like blackfin tuna and sailfish looking for an easy meal. In fact, this might be the best time of year to head offshore to some of the more out-of-the-way reefs.

    June

    Inshore, the snook and tarpon fishing isn’t letting up a bit, but the real magic is a short hop from the Inlet. June is a great time in Venice to find a spot on a reef. Red snappers, cobia, yellowtail, and mahi-mahi are at their prime on the reefs, and bonito, mackerels, and barracuda are running strong.
  • July

    Long, hot days find the permit feeding actively inshore, joining the snooks and tarpon. That’s enough to keep most anglers happy, but the offshore fishing is just getting stronger and stronger! Finding a prime location offshore has never been worth more, as the mahi-mahi, grouper, red snappers, and jack crevalle are in their prime. And the prized blackfin and sailfish are at or near their peak.

    August

    August’s angling duplicated July’s, and while permit, snooks, and tarpon are on fire inshore, the real action is in deep water, where you’ll find the year’s best blackfin and sailfishing.

    September

    Cooling water changes the bite considerably in September, with the offshore fishing slowing down. Instead, stay inshore for king and Spanish mackerel, as well as the return of hungry reds. The permit, snooks, tarpons, and black drum are running hot, too.
  • October

    Inshore fishing in October is excellent, and from reds to snooks, you’ll be on fire. Cooler water means it’s time for amberjack and cobia offshore, and every reef is packed with kings and Spanish mackerels.

    November

    Offshore is your best bet in November, and the reefs and wrecks are still holding massive amberjack, cobia, and mackerels. And as an added bonus, both red and black grouper are really turning on!

    December

    Winter is a relative term this far south, and with water temps still balmy by New England standards, the fishing isn’t cooling down offshore. The charter captain of your choice will be more than happy to find a reef loaded with amberjack, jack crevalle, yellowtail snapper, and both species of grouper.

Top Targeted Species in Venice Florida

  • Snook
  • Sheepshead
  • Redfish
  • Mahi-mahi
  • Red Snapper
  • Cobia 
  • Grouper
  • King and Spanish Mackerel
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Triple-Tail
  • Spotted Sea Trout
  • Black Drum
  • Barracuda
  • Bluefish
  • Amberjack
  • Blackfin Tuna
  • Sailfish
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