Venice, Louisiana is a paradise for fishing, especially as the summer draws near and different fish come out. From May through late June, the warming Gulf waters are swimming with game fish ready to be caught. These months are a prime window to target specific species of fish normally unseen in other months. They offer exciting challenges for any fishing enthusiast since each fish requires a different approach for bait. Hiring a professional charter like Tuna Town Fishing can make your experience a unique one, providing local knowledge and an expert crew to guide you. Tuna Town’s experienced captains possess in-depth knowledge of fish migrations and the best spots for each season, giving you the best chance of landing your trophy catch.
The early April and May are peak months for tuna, swordfish and amberjack, while early summer in June brings abundant opportunities for red snapper, cobia, and grouper. As you book your charter, here are some of our seasonal insights and tips to help you win your biggest catch.
How to Catch Large Tuna
From May through late June, you’ll see consistent action around floaters and such. The average size of tuna is solid, with plenty of 30–60 lb fish being landed. While the true giants tend to show more in the fall and winter, this early summer window offers quantity, quality, and great surface activity.
Tuna Bait and Tackle
When it comes to large tuna, including large yellowfin tuna, live bait fishing is the tactic to go with in spring and summer. Tuna are typically closer to shore and more accessible than other species. Warmer temperatures and nutrient-rich outflows from the river delta support a bloom in baitfish populations, attracting schools of tuna to feed aggressively around current breaks.
Here’s how to approach catching tuna:
- Live-Chumming and Free-Lining
Live-chum, such as tossing out live pogies will get the tuna feeding near the surface. Free-lining a live bait on strong tackle is also effective for tuna
- Trolling
Trolling can also produce catches. Trolling is commonly done year-round near rigs for tuna as another effective method
- Tackle Tips
Large tuna are powerful. Use 50–80 lb class gear, spinning setups or conventional rods with high-capacity reels
Our tuna charters cater to all skill levels, with instruction and guidance for beginners and advanced techniques for seasoned fishermen. See the latest catches in our photo gallery and book a tuna fishing charter with us today!
Catching Swordfish
Considered a popular prized fish, swordfish are heading into their high season in late May and June. Known for their signature long, flat “sword” bill and impressive fins, swordfish will push the endurance for all levels. If you’re taking a fishing charter with Tuna Town, you’ll get excellent opportunities to hook one of these prized fish.
Swordfish Tackle and Gear
Because swordfish have long bills and can be huge, heavy tackle is essential for your fishing trip.
You’ll also need a serious rod that can stand up to some pressure. A sensitive rod tip is also key because swordfish bites can be subtle and faint. If you get a dense rod without a soft tip, you might not detect the bite for a while. Intermediate anglers new to swordfishing might find it tricky to detect bites and set the hook at such depths, which is where an experienced charter crew proves invaluable.
During day fishing, our recommended method for swordfish is deep dropping: using an electric reel or stout conventional outfit with hundreds of yards of line, a heavy weight (typically 8–10+ pounds), and long leaders to suspend baits in the 1,000–1,500 ft depth range where swordfish hunt. At night, swordfishing often involves drifting or slow-trolling baits at various depths (from near the surface down to mid-depth) since swordfish move upward to feed after dark.
Swordfish Bait
Some of the best swordfish baits that our captains use include:
- Squid
A classic swordfish bait that is hard to resist. Rigging a large whole squid on a sturdy circle hook is a time-tested tactic.
- Fish Belly Strips
Strips of belly from dolphin or bonito are oily, putting out a scent trail swordfish love.
- Live or Rigged Fish
Small tunas or mackerels (like tinker mackerel or blue runners) can be effective. Rigged bonito or even ladyfish and mullet as whole baits also have proven successful.
- Artificial/Lure Baits
Occasionally, swordfish will strike at neon lighted squid imitations or skirts paired with bait.
How to Catch Grouper
Spring and early summer are generally top-notch for grouper fishing around Venice. Many grouper that spent the winter in shallower, warmer areas begin moving back offshore as it warms up.
Grouper fishing usually involves bottom fishing with heavy tackle because these fish hug the seafloor. This means dropping bait straight down on a weighted rig (like a fish-finder or Carolina rig with a large sinker) where the grouper are hiding. A typical setup might be a 50–80 lb class conventional rod, a high-capacity reel spooled with 80 lb braided line (for sensitivity and strength), and a tough 100–150 lb leader. For intermediate anglers, grouper fishing is also a test of muscling a heavy fish away, requiring both strength and fishing technique.
Grouper Baits & Lures
Some proven choices for grouper include:
- Live baitfish
Live pinfish, croakers, mullet, or small blue runners are like candy to grouper
- Cut & dead bait
Chunky cut baits such as squid, bonito strips, or whole sardines are classic grouper offerings. A juicy piece of cut bait on the bottom sends out plenty of scent.
- Jigs and plugs
While bait fishing is most common, grouper will also hit lures. Heavy vertical jigs worked near the bottom can trigger strikes from grouper hanging just above the structure.
Catching Cobia
Also known locally as “ling” or “lemonfish,” cobia are long, sleek fish often spotted cruising near the surface or hanging around floating structures. For intermediate anglers, cobia are a favorite target in late spring and early summer.
Cobia are migratory. Each year as water temperatures climb into the 70°F range, schools of cobia move westward across the Gulf and push into the waters off Mississippi and Louisiana to spawn.
Cobia Baits & Tackle
Some proven choices for cobia include:
- Sight fishing
A lot of anglers target them by sight fishing, keeping an eye out for the fish and casting to them when spotted.
- Bottom Fishing and Chumming
If you’re not specifically sight casting, you can also catch cobia by bottom fishing or chumming near structure.
- Medium-heavy or conventional rod
Cobia aren’t as gear-demanding as groupers or amberjack, but they’re no lightweights either. A medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod in the 30–50 lb line class is a good all-around choice.
By fishing with Tuna Town Fishing, you can tap into years of cobia experience. Our captains know which rigs or buoys have been holding fish recently and even how water temps and currents affect cobia movement.
Catching Amberjack
Amberjack, are silver-backed, yellow-striped bruisers that are abundant in spring and into early summer. By late May, many schools of amberjacks are in spawning mode hiding around different structures.
The typical way to fish for amberjack is:
- Heavy baits or jigs
These fish are usually holding at mid-depth near underwater structures. Often you’ll mark them on the sonar 50–100 feet off the bottom.
- Live bait
Blue runners (hardtails) are the classic amberjack bait. Other live baits like big pinfish, threadfin herring, or even small vermilion snapper can work too.
- Vertical jigging
Heavy butterfly jigs or knife jigs (usually 5 to 10 ounces, metallic and shiny) can be worked through the water column to trigger an aggressive strike.
The advantages of pursuing amberjack with a professional charter can’t be overstated. First off, the captain’s knowledge is crucial since amberjack tend to congregate at certain structures, and the hotspots can change week to week.
Tuna Town Fishing’s captains spend all spring tracking where the big fish are biting and will take you right to the action.
Book a Charter with Tuna Town Fishing
By fishing with a seasoned Venice charter, you’re essentially shortcutting the learning curve and maximizing your success. The captains and crew bring local expertise and a safety-first mindset that lets you focus on the thrill of the catch. They know when and where to find the big ones: tuna, swordfish, grouper, cobia, and amberjack during this spring and early summer season. This level of service and knowledge can turn a good day into an unforgettable adventure – just see what our previous customers love about us! Whether you opt for an inshore fishing trip or combine it with offshore adventures, you’ll truly discover the outdoor essence of Venice, LA. When you’re ready to make it happen, Tuna Town Fishing will be ready to take you on that ultimate fishing trip!