Wahoo fishing out of Venice divides into two kinds of water: the winter lumps and rigs, and the floaters along the Mississippi Canyon that are fished later in the year. This page covers when wahoo are around, where boats run, how each ground is fished, and who fishes it.
When wahoo are off Venice
Wahoo are best in winter and spring, per Paradise Outfitters’ Venice fishing page. Salt Water Sportsman describes them as lump fish in winter, which is why Venice boats head for the lumps first. The floaters come into play from late spring through summer.
For how wahoo feed and move, see our wahoo fishing guide.
Where boats run
In winter, boats run to Midnight Lump, the eastern lumps and the rigs. The wider picture of wahoo across the Gulf of Mexico (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide) has its own page.
| Ground | Depth (source) | Distance (source) | When fished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank) | crest about 190 ft (FishingBooker); 200 to 250 ft (Salt Water Sportsman); within 200 ft of the surface (Paradise Outfitters) | winter | |
| Cognac platform | more than 1,000 ft | about 40 miles southeast of Venice | |
| Floaters (floating rigs) | about 40 to 65 miles out, along the Mississippi Canyon | late spring through summer | |
| Mississippi Canyon | 1,000+ ft (Super Strike) | about 12 miles from the river mouth (FishingBooker) | |
| De Soto Canyon | about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan |
East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) and Green Canyon are also fished off Venice.
Chart Contours shows the bottom around the lumps and the canyon edges, which helps when planning the run. Chart layers are not for navigation. Check the official NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before running offshore.
Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Midnight Lump is the main winter lump. Sources disagree on the crest depth: about 190 ft per FishingBooker, 200 to 250 ft per Salt Water Sportsman’s lumps feature, and within 200 ft of the surface per Paradise Outfitters. Given the spread, read the bottom yourself on arrival.
East Lump (Horseshoe Lump) is one of the eastern lumps fished in winter.
Rigs and Cognac
Rigs are a main destination. The Cognac platform sits in more than 1,000 ft of water, about 40 miles southeast of Venice.
Floaters
Floating rigs (floaters) sit about 40 to 65 miles out along the Mississippi Canyon. They are fished from late spring through summer, taking over as the spring season ends.
The canyons
The Mississippi Canyon holds 1,000+ ft of water per Super Strike Charters, and it lies about 12 miles from the river mouth per FishingBooker. De Soto Canyon is about 12 miles east, per Capt. Morgan. Green Canyon is the third canyon name on the list.
How wahoo are fished locally
Two methods match the two kinds of ground.
- Lump fishing: chum and live bait over the structure.
- High-speed trolling: Super Strike trolls heavy lures at high speed.
Lumps suit the slower method, while rigs and open water favor covering ground quickly. Choose the method that fits the ground you reach.
The same grounds hold other species, which our offshore gamefish guides cover.
Who fishes for wahoo out of Venice
These charters list wahoo, which helps if you want to see the grounds fished before running them yourself. They are also the operators behind most wahoo fishing out of Venice.
- Paradise Outfitters: 42′ Catamaran, Blue 41′ FinCat, Black 41′ FinCat, 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
- Captain Morgan Charters: Capt. David Morgan
- Relentless Sportfishing: Capt. Joey Davis
These Venice tournaments include wahoo:
- Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic (usually May)
- Faux Pas Lodge Invitational (usually July)
- New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament (usually August)
FAQ: wahoo fishing out of Venice
When is the best time for wahoo out of Venice?
Wahoo off Venice are best in winter and spring, per Paradise Outfitters. Salt Water Sportsman describes them as lump fish in winter. The floaters along the Mississippi Canyon are fished from late spring through summer.
How deep is Midnight Lump?
Sources give three crest figures: about 190 ft per FishingBooker, 200 to 250 ft per Salt Water Sportsman, and within 200 ft of the surface per Paradise Outfitters. They do not agree, so read the bottom yourself when you arrive on the lump.
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, which puts it in a different class from the lumps.
When are the floaters fished?
Floaters are fished from late spring through summer. They sit about 40 to 65 miles out along the Mississippi Canyon, the longest run of the grounds covered here.
Which Venice charters target wahoo?
Five operators list wahoo out of Venice: Paradise Outfitters, Super Strike Charters, Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. (MGFC), Captain Morgan Charters (Capt. David Morgan) and Relentless Sportfishing (Capt. Joey Davis).
Which Venice tournaments include wahoo?
Three: the Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic (usually May), the Faux Pas Lodge Invitational (usually July) and the New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament (usually August).
