Swordfish fishing out of Venice, Louisiana, is a daytime deep-drop fishery, and it fits onto a run many boats are already making for tuna. Boats go after swordfish in the deepest trenches offshore. This guide covers when the fish are reported, how far the named grounds sit, the two local methods, and who fishes them. For the port itself, see fishing out of Venice.
When swordfish are around Venice
Sources disagree on the calendar, so plan around the most specific report. Timing also ties to the tuna run, because that is where the swordfish stop happens.
What local captains report
Three sources give three answers:
- Year-round (Paradise Outfitters).
- Consistent catches in spring, on the way back in from the tuna grounds (FishNLA).
- Seasonal (Super Strike).
These do not line up, and we have not smoothed them over. The most specific report is spring, so plan around that.
Lining up with the tuna grounds
The floating rigs along the Mississippi Canyon are fished late spring through summer. FishNLA reports its spring swordfish on the ride back from the tuna grounds. Since you are already making the run, a spring swordfish stop becomes an add-on to a tuna day rather than a separate trip, which makes it a fuel-and-time decision.
Where Venice boats run for swordfish
Depth drives this fishery. Boats run to the deepest trenches offshore, 1,000+ ft (Super Strike). The table below lists the grounds with the distances and depths reported for each.
| Ground | Distance | Depth (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Canyon | About 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker) | 1,000+ ft (Super Strike) |
| Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) | Crest about 190 ft (FishingBooker); 200 to 250 ft (Salt Water Sportsman); within 200 ft of the surface (Paradise Outfitters) | |
| Cognac platform | About 40 miles southeast of Venice | More than 1,000 ft |
| Floating rigs (floaters) | About 40 to 65 miles out | Along the Mississippi Canyon |
| De Soto Canyon | About 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan |
Mississippi Canyon
Mississippi Canyon sits about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker). Depth runs 1,000+ ft (Super Strike).
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Reported crest depth varies by source:
- About 190 ft (FishingBooker).
- 200 to 250 ft (Salt Water Sportsman).
- Within 200 ft of the surface (Paradise Outfitters).
We have not averaged these. Check the figures against your own sounder when you get there.
East Lump (Horseshoe Lump)
East Lump, also called Horseshoe Lump, is named structure near Venice that appears alongside Midnight Lump on the lumps list.
Cognac platform
The Cognac platform sits about 40 miles southeast of Venice, in more than 1,000 ft of water.
Floating rigs along the canyon
The floaters sit about 40 to 65 miles out along the Mississippi Canyon. They are fished late spring through summer, the same stretch as the tuna run described above.
Green Canyon and De Soto Canyon
Green Canyon is another named canyon ground for boats from this port. De Soto Canyon sits about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan. The canyons beyond these are covered in the wider Gulf swordfish picture (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).
You can mark the lumps and canyon edges against the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How swordfish are fished out of Venice
Once you are on one of the grounds above, there are two local approaches.
Daytime deep-dropping
Daytime deep-dropping is the local method (Super Strike). It suits the depths above, which start at 1,000+ ft on the canyon grounds. For more, see the species page on how daytime deep-dropping works.
A swordfish stop on a yellowfin trip
FishNLA combines a yellowfin trip with a swordfish stop on the ride back from the tuna grounds. For an owner-operator, that stop uses fuel and hours already committed to the tuna run. The grounds in the previous section give you places to look.
Who fishes for swordfish out of Venice
If you want to see the fishery before running your own boat, a Venice swordfish charter is the direct route. These operators list swordfish:
- Paradise Outfitters swordfish charters: 42′ Catamaran, Blue 41′ FinCat, Black 41′ FinCat, and a 36′ Yellowfin.
- Super Strike Charters out of Venice: 37 ft Freeman and 36 ft Yellowfin options.
- Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. charters (MGFC): Freeman Boatworks catamarans, including the 42 ft Wild Bill.
- FishN La Venice Fishing Charters (FishN La Venice Fishing Charters and Lodging).
Faux Pas Lodge Invitational
The Faux Pas Lodge Invitational is a swordfish tournament out of Venice, usually held in July. If you fish other billfish from this port, the same tournament calendar is worth a look.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Venice
When is swordfish season out of Venice?
It depends on the source. Paradise Outfitters says year-round, FishNLA reports consistent catches in spring, and Super Strike calls it seasonal.
How far do you run?
Mississippi Canyon is about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker). The Cognac platform is about 40 miles southeast of Venice. The floating rigs are about 40 to 65 miles out.
How deep is Midnight Lump?
The crest is about 190 ft (FishingBooker), 200 to 250 ft (Salt Water Sportsman), or within 200 ft of the surface (Paradise Outfitters). The figures differ by source.
How do locals fish them?
Daytime deep-dropping is the local method (Super Strike). FishNLA also combines a yellowfin trip with a swordfish stop on the ride back from the tuna grounds.
Who runs swordfish charters here?
Paradise Outfitters, Super Strike Charters, Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. (MGFC) and FishNLA all list swordfish out of Venice.
When is the Faux Pas Lodge Invitational?
The Faux Pas Lodge Invitational is usually held in July.
