Venice Bull Redfishing

If you’ve always wanted to catch big bull redfish—some exceeding 40 lbs—Venice, Louisiana should be on your bucket list.

On a typical day we leave the dock around 7:00 a.m. and run downriver to fish outer ponds and bays. We look for diving birds or the bait itself; the main forage for big reds in Venice are menhaden (pogies), mullet, shrimp, and other small baitfish. We’ll drift or use the trolling motor to cover water while you cast a high-quality spinning rod and try a variety of lures to see what the fish want that day. Our most effective lures are swimbaits, chatterbaits, spoons, and—when you’re lucky—topwater plugs.

The bites are vicious and powerful; for many anglers this is their favorite part. With a strong hookset and a tight line, these fish stay pinned and your chances of landing one are high. Big bulls make screaming runs, sudden direction changes, and may bulldog you under and around the boat. Fights typically last 6–7 minutes. We take a few great photos and release them to fight another day—bull redfish are protected in Louisiana because they form the breeding population that supports the entire fishery, so quick, careful handling is imperative.

Gulf Expedition Outfitters specializes in targeting bull reds on artificial lures. If catching a trophy bull red is on your bucket list, come see it for yourself.