Louisiana boasts some of the best sport fishing in the United States. The Gulf of Mexico, which flows onto Louisiana's shores, is rife with many species of fish year-round. Popular expeditions include fishing around offshore oil rigs, artificial reefs and shipwrecks. Sport fishing in this area is fun and exciting, especially when you book a charter trip.
Booking a charter is a great way to experience sport fishing off the Louisiana coast. It requires no experience on your part; everything is handled by the boat's captain and first mate (or crew), although seasoned fishers are welcome, too. Most charters are independently owned and operated, and strive to provide the best experience for all fishers onboard. The charter provides rods (although fishers are welcome to bring their own), bait, additional equipment, and the boat on which you will fish.
There are three main types of sport fishing excursions in which most Louisiana charters specialize: rig, reef and wreck trips.
There are nearly 4,000 oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana. Schools of fish congregate around these rigs, making for great fishing. On rig trips, guests are taken out to an offshore rig for fishing around the structure. The action is fast and furious; large amounts of fish mean frequent catches.
Reef trips are similar to rig fishing. In 1986, Louisiana established the Artificial Reef Program to protect and enrich abandoned oil and natural gas platforms in the waters off the state's southern coast. Fish heavily populate offshore rigs, and if the abandoned structures were destroyed, thousands of fish would be lost. The effort was enacted to conserve the homes of the fish, and to enrich the coastal environment.
On reef expeditions, a charter sails out to an artificial reef (abandoned oil rig) to fish the surrounding waters. Fishing here is similar to rig fishing: lots of bites yield many catches. Sport fishing in these areas is action-packed.
Shipwrecks are a source of abundant fish populations. Fish gather around remnants and inside nooks and crevices of ships on the gulf's floor. Captains know where shipwrecks are located, and will navigate the boat out to the wreck. Once you drop anchor, you can expect a steady stream of bites.
What type of fish you may catch depends on what is in season in the Gulf of Mexico. Yellowfin and blackfin tuna are plentiful year-found. So are wahoo fish, a white-fleshed fish, and amberjacks, a white-meat, extra-lean fish.
From January to March, the most abundant types of fish in the area waters, in addition those mentioned above, are grouper and mako sharks. Throughout April to August, the waters are swimming with blue and white marlin, red snappers, mangrove snappers, king mackerels and mako sharks. For the remainder of the year, grouper, cobia, and mangrove snappers fill to the water. Autumn also brings a migration of mullet fish, which draws in large tuna that feed on the fish.
Although charters provide most of the essentials for an enjoyable experience, fishers need to bring a few items to ensure that they have a comfortable day on the water. Wear comfortable clothing that can get wet; although it most likely won't get soaked, waves do occasionally splash onboard. Suggested items to carry with you are sunscreen, zip-seal storage bags and a cooler packed with ice to take home your catches, and dramamine pills to combat motion sickness. Depending on the weather forecast, you may also want to bring sunglasses and/or rain gear. It is a good idea to pack snacks and drinks, since you will be out on the water for hours. Most charters do not provide food or beverages.
Although most coastal towns in Louisiana provide sport fishing, there are a few towns out of which many charters operate. Venice, Louisiana is located on a narrow peninsula jutting off the mainland into the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 80 miles southeast of New Orleans. Venice is in a prime location for offshore sport fishing. Many fishing charters operate out of the town. If you are seeking seasoned professionals who specialize in day trips and overnight tuna trips, this is a great location to start your search.
