When sailfish show up off Venice
Sailfish are an occasional lump catch at Venice, and there is no defined season. For biology and general seasonality, see our sailfish guide. For the Gulf as a whole, see the Gulf-wide picture (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).
Where boats run: lumps, rigs and canyons around Venice
Boats run around the lumps, and that is where the occasional sailfish turns up. The table below lists the named grounds and structure near Venice.
| Ground | Depth | Distance from Venice |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) | crest about 190 to 250 ft, by source | |
| East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) | ||
| Cognac platform | more than 1,000 ft | about 40 miles southeast |
| Floating rigs along the Mississippi Canyon | about 40 to 65 miles out | |
| Mississippi Canyon | 1,000+ ft | about 12 miles from the river mouth |
| Green Canyon | ||
| De Soto Canyon | about 12 miles east |
Our chart layers are not for navigation.
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Sources disagree on the depth of the crest. FishingBooker puts it at about 190 ft, Salt Water Sportsman gives 200 to 250 ft, and Paradise Outfitters says it comes within 200 ft of the surface.
East Lump (Horseshoe Lump)
East Lump is a second lump off Venice where boats run.
Cognac platform
The Cognac platform stands in more than 1,000 ft of water, about 40 miles southeast of Venice.
Floating rigs along the Mississippi Canyon
Locals call these rigs floaters. They sit about 40 to 65 miles out and are fished from late spring through summer. That timing belongs to the rigs, not to sailfish.
Mississippi Canyon
The canyon drops to 1,000+ ft, per Super Strike. It lies about 12 miles from the Mississippi River mouth, per FishingBooker.
Green Canyon
Green Canyon is another deepwater area within Venice run range.
De Soto Canyon
De Soto Canyon lies about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan.
How sailfish are fished out of Venice
Sailfish come on days spent around the lumps. They are an occasional catch and not a targeted one, so the plan is the lump day itself, and the useful knowledge is which structure the occasional fish turn up around. For marlin and general billfish tactics, see our billfish guides.
- Plan the day around the lumps.
- Treat a sailfish as a bonus rather than the goal.
- Use the table above to pick your run.
Who fishes for sailfish out of Venice
Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. (MGFC) lists sailfish as a Venice species. MGFC runs Freeman Boatworks catamarans, including the 42 ft Wild Bill.
FAQ: sailfish out of Venice
Is there a sailfish season at Venice?
No. There is no defined season. Sailfish are described as an occasional lump catch, and MGFC lists them as a Venice species.
Where do sailfish turn up out of Venice?
Around the lumps, such as Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) and East Lump (Horseshoe Lump).
How deep is Midnight Lump?
Sources differ. FishingBooker gives about 190 ft, Salt Water Sportsman gives 200 to 250 ft, and Paradise Outfitters says within 200 ft of the surface.
How far is Mississippi Canyon from the river mouth?
About 12 miles from the Mississippi River mouth, per FishingBooker. The canyon drops to 1,000+ ft, per Super Strike.
Which Venice charter lists sailfish?
Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. (MGFC), which runs Freeman Boatworks catamarans, including the 42 ft Wild Bill.
