Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Venice, Louisiana runs year-round, with a winter peak. Runs are measured from South Pass. This page covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, which grounds hold them, how they are fished locally, and who fishes for them. Biology and general habits are in the yellowfin tuna guide, and the regional picture is in Gulf of Mexico yellowfin (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
When yellowfin are off Venice
Yellowfin are fished year-round, and the season splits three ways.
| Period | Where boats go |
|---|---|
| Winter peak | Bait balls and birds, Midnight Lump and East Lump |
| Late spring through summer | Floating rigs along the Mississippi Canyon |
| Fall | Fish move back inshore |
Winter peak and the lump season
Winter is the peak, and the lump season ends about the third week of March. Winter boats work two kinds of ground: bait balls with birds over them, and Midnight Lump and East Lump.
Floating rigs, late spring and summer
Floating rigs, called floaters, are fished from late spring through summer along the Mississippi Canyon. Distances are in the next section.
Fall
Fish move back inshore in fall.
Where boats run from South Pass
The table gives each ground with the depth and distance that apply to it. A blank cell means no figure is given.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance | When fished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter bait balls | 200 to 400, sometimes past 1,000, occasionally 60 | 12 to 30 miles out of South Pass (where captains start looking) | Winter |
| Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) | Crest about 190 to 250, within about 200 of the surface | Lump season, ends about third week of March | |
| East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) | Lump season | ||
| Cognac platform | More than 1,000 | About 40 miles southeast of Venice | |
| Floating rigs (floaters), Mississippi Canyon | About 40 to 65 miles out | Late spring through summer | |
| Mississippi Canyon | 1,000+ | About 12 miles from the river mouth | |
| De Soto Canyon | About 12 miles east (Capt. David Morgan) |
Winter bait balls
Bait balls sit in 200 to 400 ft. Some sit out past 1,000 ft, and occasionally one sets up in 60 ft. Captains start looking 12 to 30 miles out of South Pass. Boats search for birds over bait, and where the birds are, there are fish to cast to.
Midnight Lump and East Lump
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) has a crest about 190 to 250 ft down, within about 200 ft of the surface. East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) is the second lump on the circuit. Both are lump-season grounds, and the season ends about the third week of March.
Cognac and the floaters
The Cognac platform sits in more than 1,000 ft, about 40 miles southeast of Venice. The floaters along the Mississippi Canyon are about 40 to 65 miles out and are fished from late spring through summer.
The canyons: Mississippi, Green, De Soto
The Mississippi Canyon holds 1,000+ ft of water about 12 miles from the river mouth. Green Canyon is another named ground fished from Venice. Capt. David Morgan puts De Soto Canyon about 12 miles east.
How yellowfin are fished out of Venice
General popping and chunking tackle is covered across the tuna fishing guides. Out of Venice, three methods carry the winter.
Poppers to birds and bait balls
In winter, topwater poppers are cast to birds and bait balls. The cast goes at the edge of the bait, where fish are working it.
Chumming
Chum with pogies, squid or shrimp-boat bycatch. This is a winter method, and it keeps fish behind the boat while you drift.
The chunk drift
The drift rig is built from three parts:
- Main line: 80 lb braid
- Leader: fluorocarbon
- Hook: 11/0 circle hook buried in chunk bait
Who fishes for yellowfin out of Venice
These Venice tuna charters list yellowfin, and four tournaments run out of the port.
Charters
- Paradise Outfitters Venice charters: 42 ft catamaran, Blue 41 ft FinCat, Black 41 ft FinCat, and a 36 ft Yellowfin.
- Super Strike Charters fleet: 37 ft Freeman and 36 ft Yellowfin options.
- Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. yellowfin: Freeman Boatworks catamarans, including the 42 ft Wild Bill.
- FishN La Venice charters: FishNLA, FishN La Venice Fishing Charters and Lodging.
- Captain Morgan Charters: Capt. David Morgan.
- Fish Venice Charters and Lodging: Capt. Eddie Brown, Down and Dirty, a 39ST Contender with triple 350 hp Honda outboards.
Tournaments
Four tournaments run out of Venice:
- Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic: usually May
- Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic: usually May
- Faux Pas Lodge Invitational: usually July
- New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament: usually August
FAQ about yellowfin tuna fishing out of Venice
When is the best time for yellowfin out of Venice?
Yellowfin are fished year-round, with a winter peak. The floaters are fished late spring through summer, and fish move back inshore in fall.
When does the lump season end?
About the third week of March.
How far out of South Pass do boats look for yellowfin?
Captains start looking 12 to 30 miles out. Bait balls sit in 200 to 400 ft, sometimes past 1,000 ft, and occasionally in 60 ft.
How deep is Midnight Lump?
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) has a crest of about 190 to 250 ft, within about 200 ft of the surface.
Where are the floaters?
Along the Mississippi Canyon, about 40 to 65 miles out. They are fished late spring through summer.
What rig is used for the chunk drift?
80 lb braid, a fluorocarbon leader, and an 11/0 circle hook buried in chunk bait.
