I know this topic has been discussed here before, but I'd appreciate any personal recommendations for Venice, Louisiana. Inshore fishing for reds and trout. I'd also be curious if anyone has heard of any fish kills there following the last big cold front.

Billy Nicholas at 512-738-0335. Or Ryan Lambert at Cajun Adventures. We use both for our company clients and our events. Both are top notch

There is an Aggie in Buras that was a guide down there for over 30 years, with camp houses. He and his wife are excellent cooks and he was great to fish with. Unfortunately he just retired in the last couple of years. We've fished with him many times and it was always great. He said he would still take us out, but no new clients. Sorry.

I don't recall ever hearing of a major fish kill in La. They have a much more complex system of deep canals,
cuts, lakes, etc. Very little of it is far from deep water. The Texas coast is more flat with less places for the fish to hide. Always assumed that made a difference.

CS78 said:

---

I don't recall ever hearing of a major fish kill in La. They have a much more complex system of deep canals,
cuts, lakes, etc. Very little of it is far from deep water. The Texas coast is more flat with less places for the fish to hide. Always assumed that made a difference.

---

I'm always assumed those coonies just scooped up the fresh dead trout and kept their mouths shut.

There have been some small, isolated instances of fish kills but nothing of significance or enough to impact the fishing. Just a few singles and pairs in isolated back lakes.

As usual, the Outdoor board delivers. That's good to know about the freeze.

Gunny456 - We were thinking about going in the spring. You think that's a good time to go ?

Just returning from Fourchon, LA (west of Venice) saw a small amount of dead fish. Still plenty of big bulls.

I don't know. I have just gone in the fall. Maybe some other guys can chime in and give their thoughts.

Is it mostly artificial or will the guides use live bait if they think that's what it takes to catch fish that day ? I've been to Hackberry 3-4 times and the number of small trout was slightly disappointing.

Most guides use livebait there. My opinion, I wouldn't go to La just for trout. Go for the combination of trout, reds, and flounder. That's where it really shines. My favorite fishing over there is to work the deep water drain intersections with a gulp. Whatever jighead is heavy enough to barely but consistently be able to reach the bottom. Or trolling motor a bank like you're bass fishing. Pretty normal to catch 5-6 species in the same area.

Just back last month we used Billy with Venice fishing lodge, super good dude from new braunfels. Fishing was good and their food was amazing. Highly recommend

John Cole
Southern Catch
(601) 540-5528
https://www.instagram.com/southerncatchoutfitters?igsh=MWQxbHppdHU5N2Z3Nw==

They both will use live bait.