Yellowfin Tuna Fishingin Venice, Louisiana

Why Venice Is Called “Tuna Town”

Venice, Louisiana sits at the mouth of the Mississippi River — the last outpost before the Gulf of Mexico opens up into some of the most productive fishing waters on the planet. The Mississippi dumps nutrient-rich freshwater into the Gulf, creating a food chain that attracts massive schools of yellowfin tuna within striking distance of the dock.

Unlike other Gulf ports where you need to run 100+ miles to find blue water, Venice puts you on productive fishing grounds in as little as 20-30 miles. The oil and gas platforms dotting the Gulf create artificial reef ecosystems that concentrate baitfish — and where the bait goes, tuna follow.

This unique combination of geography, oceanography, and infrastructure has earned Venice the nickname “Tuna Town, USA” — and it's why serious tuna anglers from across the country make the trip to this tiny Louisiana town year after year.

Best Season for Yellowfin Tuna

While yellowfin tuna can be caught year-round in Venice, the trophy season runs from November through March. This is when the biggest fish move in — 150-pound, 180-pound, even 200+ pound yellowfin are caught regularly during these months. Captain Blake's personal best is a 222-lb yellowfin, and fish in that class are a realistic possibility during peak season.

Spring and summer bring smaller but still impressive yellowfin in the 40-80 lb range, along with excellent mahi-mahi and wahoo action. The beauty of Venice is that there's always something biting — but if trophy tuna is the goal, plan your trip between November and March.

Typical Sizes & What to Expect

Venice yellowfin tuna commonly range from 30 to 220+ pounds. On a good day during peak season, you might land fish in the 100-180 lb range. These are powerful, deep-diving fighters that will test your gear and your arms.

A typical offshore tuna trip with Captain Blake departs at 5:00 AM and runs approximately 10 hours. After a 1-2 hour run to the fishing grounds, you'll fish around oil rigs and other structure using a combination of live bait, chunking, and trolling techniques. Captain Blake reads the conditions and adapts throughout the day — if one spot isn't producing, you move.

Fishing Techniques

Captain Blake employs multiple techniques depending on conditions and fish behavior. Chunking — cutting baitfish into pieces and creating a chum slick — is the primary method for big yellowfin. When a school is located, the chunk line creates a feeding frenzy that brings fish to the boat.

Live baiting with hardtails and mullet is deadly around the rigs. Trolling with skirted lures covers water quickly when the bite is spread out. And occasionally, popping and jigging with artificials produces explosive topwater strikes that are unforgettable.

All tackle is provided — we run Penn and Shimano reels on heavy-action conventional rods. For anglers who want to bring their own gear, you're welcome to. Captain Blake is happy to discuss what setups work best for our waters.

Your Catch

Yellowfin tuna is among the best-eating fish in the ocean — sashimi-grade meat that rivals anything in a high-end restaurant. We clean and bag your catch at the dock. Many guests eat their tuna that same evening for the freshest sashimi they've ever had.

Devine Sportfishing practices a self-imposed limit of 3 trophy fish per boat — well below the legal allowance. This ensures the fishery stays healthy for future generations while still giving you an incredible harvest to take home.