Greater amberjack off Venice in winter
Greater amberjack fishing out of Venice is a winter fishery, and the boats that do it run offshore to wrecks and artificial reefs. The first place to look for large fish is the Old Barge wreck, about 17.7 nm at 249.6 deg from the New Pass sea marker. If you run your own boat from Venice, Florida, this page covers the run, the structure, the buoy and the boats that fish it. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
Size, diet and life history are in our greater amberjack guide. This page stays on the water off Venice.
When they are here
Winter is the local season. Whether a winter trip is worth making depends on the numbers at the buoy before you leave, so read the VENF1 section below before you fuel up.
Where boats run
Three departure references anchor the positions on this page:
- New Pass sea marker: the reference for the Old Barge.
- New Pass Gulf marker: the reference for M-9.
- Venice Inlet: the reference for Reef I4/14.
The positions are measured from different starting points, so set your origin before you plot. Bearings and distances are reference figures, and the official chart governs navigation. Plot these positions on Chart Contours; chart layers are not for navigation.
The Old Barge: 17.7 nm at 249.6 deg, about 80 ft
The Old Barge wreck sits about 17.7 nm at 249.6 deg from the New Pass sea marker, in about 80 ft of water. It is described as the first place to look for large amberjack.
The 10 to 15 mile band
Venice Reef Charters puts its offshore fishing at 10 to 15 miles. M-9 (15.5 nm from the New Pass Gulf marker) and the Old Barge (17.7 nm from the New Pass sea marker) sit at or beyond the outer edge of that band.
Reading VENF1 before you leave
NOAA C-MAN station VENF1 (Venice, FL) sits at 27.072 N, 82.453 W. It reports conditions at a fixed point on the coast, not at a wreck 17.7 nm offshore. Read the wind and wave numbers at VENF1, check the NWS marine forecast for the offshore zone, and compare the two before you commit to the run.
Grounds and structure
The named structure off Venice runs from a bridge-and-pier reef 0.8 nm from the inlet out to the wrecks and M-series reefs beyond 15 nm. The table lists them nearshore to offshore.
| Site | Structure | Depth | Distance / bearing / reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Reef I4 / Reef 14 | Venice Bridge and Pier | 25 ft | 0.8 nm at 230 deg from Venice Inlet |
| Venice Reef Sites 1 and 2 | Old bridge materials and concrete rubble | – | – |
| Venice Reef V-1 to V-5 | Limestone boulders | – | – |
| M-9 | Tanks | 60 ft | 15.5 nm at 205 deg from New Pass Gulf marker |
| M-10 | Upside-down barge and sailboat hulls | – | – |
| M-11 | Reef balls | – | – |
| M-13 | Concrete culverts, sites 1 to 5 | – | – |
| M-15a and M-15b | Culverts, rubble | – | – |
| Old Barge wreck | Wreck | About 80 ft | About 17.7 nm at 249.6 deg from New Pass sea marker |
Nearshore reefs
Venice Reef I4 / Reef 14 is the Venice Bridge and Pier, in 25 ft, 0.8 nm at 230 deg from Venice Inlet. Sites 1 and 2 are old bridge materials and concrete rubble. V-1 to V-5 are limestone boulders.
The M-series reefs
M-9 is a field of tanks in 60 ft, 15.5 nm at 205 deg from the New Pass Gulf marker. M-10 is an upside-down barge and sailboat hulls, M-11 is reef balls, M-13 is concrete culverts across sites 1 to 5, and M-15a and M-15b are culverts and rubble. The same structure holds other fish, and our reef fish guides cover them.
How it is fished and who fishes it
Old Barge first
The Old Barge is the first place to look for large amberjack. For how these grounds are fished, ask the captains who work them every day.
Venice charters that list greater amberjack
These Venice charters list greater amberjack:
- Liquid Lifestyle Charters: Captain Eric White.
- Venice Reef Charters: Captain Phil Bloom.
- TNT Fishing Charters (Capt Tom): Captain Tom Bailas and 1st mate Trisha.
- Top Priority Fishing Charters: a 34 ft Yellowfin center console, with Capt. David.
- The Miss Venice Deep Sea Fishing: Captain Joe.
FAQ
When is greater amberjack fishing out of Venice best?
Winter is the local season. The Old Barge is the first place boats look for large fish.
How far offshore do boats run for amberjack off Venice?
Venice Reef Charters gives 10 to 15 miles offshore. The Old Barge sits about 17.7 nm at 249.6 deg from the New Pass sea marker.
What depth is the Old Barge wreck?
About 80 ft. M-9 sits in 60 ft.
Which buoy should I check before leaving Venice?
NOAA C-MAN station VENF1, at 27.072 N, 82.453 W. It is a coastal reading, so pair it with the NWS marine forecast.
Which Venice charters target greater amberjack?
Liquid Lifestyle Charters, Venice Reef Charters, TNT Fishing Charters, Top Priority Fishing Charters and The Miss Venice.
