Venice, Louisiana

B

Bess-C

New member
We usually take off the first two weeks of September and cruise somewhere along the B.C. coast. That's probably what we'll do again this year, but after a couple of trips to the Keys, we've become intrigued by the Gulf Coast.

I like to fish and Venice, LA looks like an amazing spot to visit and fish. We're looking there because we like end of the road areas, and are intrigued with the mouth of the River. We can't tow our C-Dory there for a two week vacation, so we'd probably stay on land and rent a boat to fish and explore the area.

I have questions for those of you who live on the Gulf. I don't know how well things have recovered from Katrina. Lodging looks like it could still be rebuilding for a long while. Is this area of Louisiana pretty much back in action? Shelley likes to fish too, but she won't be up for a two week fishing trip. Are there other things to do there besides fish? We want to be out on a boat a lot. Are there places to rent boats?

I know that there are wonderful places all along the Gulf. What other areas would you recommend other than Southern Louisiana, given our desire to fish and explore by boat and car?
Lyle
 
Lyle,
While in lower Louisiana, you may want to travel inland up through Houma, Morgan City, Jeanerette, New Iberia, and Lafayette, to look at the Cajun way of life. A number of the small towns usually have Cajun festivals during Sept. and that provides good food and Cajun dancing. Airboating through the swamps such as the Atchafalya Basin would be quite different from your normal boating. Sorry, I can't help with the Gulf coast questions but feel that a couple or three days up in this area would add spice to the vacation. In fact I know good Cajun food will add spice to the trip (ha).
Ron
 
I live right on Sabine lake, in between Louisiana and Texas, and from what my friends have told me about New Orleans, its still a mess, and they are not sure what they spent the recovery money on...but it wasn't cleaning that city up.

So I'm not sure what the surrounding area is going to be like, but don't expect it to be too clean if you pass through that city.
 
Lyle: Neat area. Be sure to hook up with Brent and Dixie. They have made several visits to the area. They fished too. Some of the boats from the Mobile area run over for Tuna runs (Dec-Feb) and that is a nice ride too if you wish to travel the intracoastal between the two towns. Much to do by just punching up inland here and there. Take a look at the intracoastal along the gulf from TX to Mobile,,,....then on over for Perdido Bay area.... That should be plenty for two weeks.

Keep me posted on your travels.

Byrdman
 
Thanks for the information guys. We love to eat and roam around back country areas, so the info on the towns along I-90 is of great interest. We're not really interested in New Orleans at this point, just some of the more remote areas. We'd probably just fly into New Orleans, rent a car and head out. I'd still like to hear from someone with specific info on the boat rental, lodging, etc. along the lower reaches of the Mississippi.
Lyle
 
Went out of Hopedale/ Brenton Sound with Barry (below). An outstanding guide, really hustled (see below, description of our day in Jan 08. I'm the Bob from Calif).

Be warned, the area is still quite devastated and dumpy. Trash everywhere, and endless palates of oysters on the side of the road waiting for trucks for New Orleans (I won't eat them there anymore, many palates sat out for a day.

Fishing in that area, or Venice is quite expensive. We "only" paid about $250 ea for the guided marsh fishing. Way too easy to get lost, so have to go with a local.

Venice sounds great, but I spoke with Elton (below) who fishes there alot. He loves it, despite the price of over $600 ea per day!!! Venice is where I'd love to take a boat, can use charts, etc. BUT, Elton made it clear that non-locals with their own boats are not very welcome.

That's why I'm off to Astoria and Sturgeon fishing in 2 weeks (thanks, CW!!!!), seems way better value, 82 year old dad (other Bob) flying out from New Orleans. A chartered 6 pack is $650 (5 of us = $130 ea, cool), Oly @ Tiki Charters.

But here's the info, if you want an experience, great fishing, go with Barry, the best around New Orleans. He'll even set you up with a FEMA trailer (aka fishing lodge)!!


1/9/08

BIGFISH/HOPEDALE/ BRETON SOUND

Class Act and Great Day!

Elton Foster has booked us before and his Son Evan was ready for some REDS and TROUT. I got a late call from another regular Clint asking if I could take his friends Bob and Bob...some guide in Delacroix "stiffed" them saying the conditions were not right for Sat. or Sun...perfect, NO, but for a guide easily doable and the guys were from CALIFORNIA!

I called ELTON FOSTER(my scheduled guest) and told him the problem...he said by all means have them join us on the HYDRA-SPORTS...plenty room!
We started off FAST with a REDFISH on our first cast...25 inch...6lbs...I was still getting reel handles turned around and Bob Park had a RED to the boat...we got everybody in the water but only managed another handful of REDS...and a few TROUT...WATER WAS BOTTOMED OUT ALREADY...hmm...change of scenery and headed to STUMP AREA!

We got on a good bite behind Stump...boated 20 NICE TROUT and then a boat just did the unthinkable between us and the FISH...I think he had followed us there and...brutal!

So we made another move working up near EUGENIE...more FISH but only OK...few more TROUT...then REDZILLA hits BOB(80 YEARS OLD or so)...in 18 inches the MARSHMASTER ROD was doubled over and the MITCHELL AVOCET PRO was screaming...FUN and BIG! It was in the 35lb range and a blast for Bob!

Made one more move for a request to catch some HEADS...Elton and Evan like HEADS...we boxed 7 or so...released some and got a few more TROUT too!

Great crews that worked together...Thanks guys!

We fished hard for:

46 TROUT(curly gulps best bait)...add 20 REDS/HEADS/DRUM...dead and Live Boogies best on "MEATS"...nice day...nicer people...PERFECT!

CALL 504-610-6914 or WWW.THEBIGFISH.NET w/ACCOMODATIONS!

CAPT. BARRY
 
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