3. Venice, Louisiana
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana coast in August 2005, it devastated the area surrounding Venice and leveled the two local marinas. It took several months to restore power and many more to return life to normal in this outdoorsman's paradise. But the die-hard fishermen who put Venice on the map had the place back up and running faster than anyone thought possible. Now there's more lodging and a new restaurant, and the fishing seems to get better with each passing year. Venice offers fishermen quick access to some of the Gulf's fishiest offshore oil rigs, blue water and unbelievable rip lines. "We start marlin fishing 10 miles outside the pass in the summer," says Capt. Hunter Caballero, who runs Paradise Outfitters (
www.paradise-outfitters.com). "We caught our first blue this year in January, but it generally starts getting going the end of April. By mid-May to June, it's in full swing."
The white marlin add to the mix later in the year, with the best fishing from June through August. More boats spend time overnighting in the deep water in search of swordfish these days, and crews typically get at least one bite or strike per night. On a good trip, you can catch at least two or three. Venice is best known for its run of big yellowfin at the Midnight Lump, 18 miles off Southwest Pass, that takes place from January to March. These yellowfin go upward of 200 pounds. And don't worry if the wind keeps you inshore. You can always catch monster reds and specks in the delta. Something is always biting down in Venice. For lodging and marina info, visit www.venicemarina.com or www.cypresscovevenice.com. To fish the Cajun Canyons Classic set in Venice in late May, visit www.comefishla.com.
