When kings are around the Venice lumps
King mackerel fishing out of Venice centers on the winter lumps, where kings are among the species found around the structure. The Venice, Louisiana port page has launch, fuel and conditions. This page is a planning reference for anglers running their own boat: where the structure sits, how far the run is and how deep the water is.
The only other stated window belongs to the floaters along the Mississippi Canyon, fished late spring through summer. Locals call the fish kingfish, and the same fish are the target on both grounds. The species guide covers king mackerel biology and timing in general.
Where boats run from Venice
Boats go to the lumps first, with Midnight Lump (also called Sackett Bank) the named example. The Cognac platform sits about 40 miles southeast of Venice. The floating rigs (floaters) along the Mississippi Canyon are about 40 to 65 miles out.
Two canyons have their own reference points. Mississippi Canyon is about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker); that figure is measured from the river mouth, not from the dock. De Soto Canyon is about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan. Green Canyon is also named among the deepwater areas near Venice. For the wider picture, see king mackerel across the Gulf (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).
Whether to make the run depends on wind, wave height and period. The Venice port page has the forecast numbers for the day.
| Structure | Depth (ft) | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) | about 190 (FishingBooker); 200 to 250 (Salt Water Sportsman); within 200 of the surface (Paradise Outfitters) | – | Winter lump |
| East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) | – | – | Winter lump |
| Cognac platform | more than 1,000 | about 40 miles southeast of Venice | – |
| Floating rigs (floaters) | – | about 40 to 65 miles out | Along the Mississippi Canyon; late spring through summer |
| Mississippi Canyon | 1,000+ (Super Strike) | about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker) | Distance measured from the river mouth |
| De Soto Canyon | – | about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan | – |
Grounds and structure near Venice
Each spot below lists only the figures that are known. Where a depth or distance is missing, it is left blank rather than guessed.
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Midnight Lump is the named lump boats run to out of Venice. Reported crest depths range from about 190 to 250 ft depending on the source:
- About 190 ft (FishingBooker)
- 200 to 250 ft (Salt Water Sportsman)
- Within 200 ft of the surface (Paradise Outfitters)
East Lump (Horseshoe Lump)
East Lump, also called Horseshoe Lump, is another of the winter lumps.
Cognac platform
The Cognac platform stands in more than 1,000 ft of water, about 40 miles southeast of Venice.
Floating rigs (floaters)
The floaters lie along the Mississippi Canyon, about 40 to 65 miles out, and are fished late spring through summer.
Mississippi Canyon
Mississippi Canyon is 1,000+ ft deep (Super Strike) and sits about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker).
Green Canyon
Green Canyon is named among the deepwater areas near Venice.
De Soto Canyon
De Soto Canyon lies about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan.
Mark the named structure on Chart Contours before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How kings are fished out of Venice and who fishes them
Winter lump fishing is the core pattern, with kings among the species around the winter lumps. The floaters are the late-spring-through-summer option. The offshore gamefish guides cover the other species that share this water.
Charter and private boats both work these grounds.
FAQ about king mackerel fishing out of Venice
How far is the Cognac platform from Venice?
The Cognac platform is about 40 miles southeast of Venice. It sits in more than 1,000 ft of water, so plan for a run to deepwater structure rather than a lump.
How deep is Midnight Lump?
Reported crest depths vary by source. FishingBooker puts it at about 190 ft. Salt Water Sportsman gives 200 to 250 ft. Paradise Outfitters says within 200 ft of the surface.
What is Sackett Bank?
Sackett Bank is another name for Midnight Lump. It is one of the winter lumps boats run to out of Venice.
When are the floaters fished?
The floaters are fished late spring through summer. They sit along the Mississippi Canyon, about 40 to 65 miles out from Venice. The winter lumps are the other ground in the rotation.
How far is Mississippi Canyon from Venice?
Mississippi Canyon is about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker), not from the dock. The canyon is 1,000+ ft deep (Super Strike).
Where do I find the king mackerel rules for a Venice trip?
Use the LDWF and NOAA Fisheries pages linked in the Regulations section above. A Venice run crosses from state into federal waters, so check both sets of rules before you fish.
