Greater amberjack fishing out of Venice centers on the Midnight Lump and deep wrecks, with the Cognac platform and the Mississippi Canyon floaters farther out. If you run your own boat, this guide gives the names, depths and distances you need to plan the run from the Venice port guide. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
It covers timing, run distance, the structure itself, the local charters and where the rules live. It doesn’t promise fish; it points you to better places to look.
When greater amberjack are around Venice
Greater amberjack are a listed target species out of Venice. Paradise Outfitters names them a winter fish on the Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank), and the floaters along the Mississippi Canyon are fished late spring through summer. Biology and range are covered in our greater amberjack guide.
Two timing windows show up locally:
- Winter: the Midnight Lump, per Paradise Outfitters
- Late spring through summer: the floaters along the Mississippi Canyon
How far boats run from Venice
Most amberjack runs out of Venice go to deep wrecks and the Midnight Lump. Distances range from short hops to long offshore days:
- Mississippi Canyon: about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker)
- De Soto Canyon: about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan
- Cognac platform: about 40 miles southeast of Venice
- Floaters along the Mississippi Canyon: about 40 to 65 miles out
The 40 to 65 mile runs drive your fuel and range math, so plan the round trip before leaving the dock. Check the official NOAA marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before you go.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
The table collects every named ground near Venice with the depth and distance figures published for it.
| Structure | Depth (ft) | Distance | Notes or source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) | about 190 (FishingBooker); 200 to 250 (Salt Water Sportsman); within 200 of the surface (Paradise Outfitters) | winter amberjack per Paradise Outfitters | |
| East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) | |||
| Deep wrecks | named by Super Strike | ||
| Cognac platform | more than 1,000 | about 40 miles southeast of Venice | |
| Floaters along the Mississippi Canyon | about 40 to 65 miles out | fished late spring through summer | |
| Mississippi Canyon | 1,000+ (Super Strike) | about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker) | |
| Green Canyon | |||
| De Soto Canyon | about 12 miles east (Capt. Morgan) |
For wider Gulf context, see our Gulf reef fish guides.
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Three crest depths are published: about 190 ft per FishingBooker, 200 to 250 ft per Salt Water Sportsman, and within 200 ft of the surface per Paradise Outfitters. Because they disagree, read your own sounder and the Chart Contours when you arrive. Paradise Outfitters lists it as a winter amberjack ground, and Super Strike names it as a run.
East Lump (Horseshoe Lump)
East Lump, also called Horseshoe Lump, is the other named lump off Venice.
Deep wrecks
Super Strike names deep wrecks as an amberjack run out of Venice.
Cognac platform
The Cognac platform stands in more than 1,000 ft of water, about 40 miles southeast of Venice.
Floaters along the Mississippi Canyon
Floating rigs, called floaters locally, sit about 40 to 65 miles out along the Mississippi Canyon. They are fished late spring through summer.
Mississippi, Green and De Soto Canyons
These canyons are the reference geography for the deep water off Venice:
- Mississippi Canyon: 1,000+ ft per Super Strike, about 12 miles from the river mouth per FishingBooker
- Green Canyon: a named deepwater area within reach of Venice
- De Soto Canyon: about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan
Every structure named here can be found on the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Who fishes greater amberjack out of Venice
Three Venice charters list greater amberjack: Paradise Outfitters, Super Strike Charters and Mexican Gulf Fishing Co.
- Paradise Outfitters: 42′ Catamaran, Blue 41′ FinCat, Black 41′ FinCat and a 36′ Yellowfin.
- Super Strike Charters: 37 ft Freeman and 36 ft Yellowfin options.
- Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. (MGFC): Freeman Boatworks catamarans, including the 42 ft Wild Bill.
Their boats run 36 to 42 ft, a useful yardstick for a private boat making the same runs. Local captains describe greater amberjack as hard fighters, so plan your tackle and crew accordingly.
FAQ
When are greater amberjack on the Midnight Lump?
They are a winter fish there per Paradise Outfitters. The floaters are fished late spring through summer.
How deep is the Midnight Lump?
The crest sits about 190 ft per FishingBooker and 200 to 250 ft per Salt Water Sportsman, and Paradise Outfitters puts it within 200 ft of the surface. Read your own sounder on arrival.
How far is the Mississippi Canyon from Venice?
It is about 12 miles from the river mouth per FishingBooker, with depths of 1,000+ ft per Super Strike.
Where is the Cognac platform?
It is about 40 miles southeast of Venice, in more than 1,000 ft.
Which charters offer greater amberjack fishing out of Venice?
Paradise Outfitters, Super Strike Charters and Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. all list greater amberjack.
Where do I find the rules?
Check LDWF for state waters and the federal Gulf rules for offshore grounds before you fish.
