THE BIGGEST TUNA RUN IN THE USA!

Venice, Louisiana is widely regarded as one of the premier sport fishing destinations in the world thanks to its location near the Mississippi River delta and access to the abundant waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This remote outpost on the southernmost tip of Louisiana has built its reputation on trophy catches of tuna, marlin, snapper, grouper and more. But the winter months from February through April offer anglers the chance at a uniquely spectacular fishing adventure targeting monster yellowfin tuna, wahoo, blackfin and other hard-fighting fish on their annual migration pattern. Captain Troy Wetzel, a seasoned Venice fishing guide with over 33 years of experience fishing these fertile waters, leads the charge on this winter offensive.

The Winter Run: a fishing expedition like no other

The “winter run” is a term used to describe the seasonal movement of baitfish and predators from the Gulf of Mexico into the waters around Venice, Louisiana. When temperatures cool down, large schools of pogies and mullet move close to the shore, providing ample food for hungry gamefish.

The Tuna Run big from February through April

During this time, anglers can hook huge gamefish such as yellowfin and blackfin tuna weighing over 200 pounds, African pompano weighing over 40 pounds, cobia weighing over 80 pounds, wahoo weighing over 100 pounds, and even coastal mako sharks.

What exactly can you catch during the run? Well, just about anything that swims in the ocean, including:

Yellowfin Tuna

These are the primary targets for most visiting anglers during winter. With the right conditions, multiple hookups on football-sized tuna over 200 pounds are a realistic daily goal. Their torpedo shape and determined fights test the most experienced fishermen.

One of the big catches from Winter Tuna Run. Spots for this year will fill up quickly, so reserve your day charter now!

Wahoo

Often called “smoked marlin” due to blistering initial runs and scrappy fights. Wahoo over 100 pounds regularly crash bait schools in the area all winter. Their teeth and speed command respect.

Blackfin Tuna

While smaller than yellowfin tuna, these acrobatic battlers routinely reach weights over 40 pounds locally and jump relentlessly when feeding through schools of bait. Great eating as well with meat that’s perfect for searing.

Cobia

Brownish slim predators that can weigh 80+ pounds here in winter. They often swim with sharks or rays but eagerly pounce on both live and artificial baits. Stubborn fights but incredible dive-boat entrees.

African Pompano

Speedy jacks that patrol oil rigs and reefs during winter offshore. Fun catch on light tackle and tasty grilled pompano give you a workout reeling them in from 40-60 feet down.

Sharks

There are various types of sharks such as bull sharks, tiger sharks, spinner sharks, and at times even mako sharks, that can be found in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream located just off the coast of Venice. As these sharks are large and powerful, it is necessary to use heavy tackle to catch them. Engaging in a fight with these predators can be an adrenaline-pumping experience. However, releasing the sharks back into the waters after catching them in Louisiana is necessary, as catch-and-release is almost always mandatory for these species.

This abundance and diversity of trophy species concentrated in the area makes the Venice winter run a bucket list fishing adventure. The variety ensures action is virtually guaranteed year after year during the seasonal feeding frenzy offshore.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE 2024 WINTER TUNA RUN BELOW

Captain Troy Wetzel always hooks the big fish

As a Venice native, Captain Troy literally grew up fishing and exploring these coastal waters, honing his skills and learning the patterns of fish year after year for over three decades. His state and world record catches, both personally and with charter clients, underscore his mastery of the area’s winter run.

Captain Troy loves nothing more than putting anglers on the fish of a lifetime, so his excitement is contagious when the bite is on.

He’ll guide you to the action aboard his state-of-the-art 2022 Razor Cat, powered by four 350 HP Suzuki outboards. This 42-foot fishing machine is equipped with top-of-the-line Garmin marine electronics to scan for fish and safely navigate to and from the hotspots offshore.

The Razor Cat is ready to take you on the deep sea charter fishing adventure of a lifetime

None of them get away when you fish with Captain Troy!

Monster catches don’t come from luck, they come from experience

Captain Troy knows how to hook those Godzilla tunas.

During winter fishing expeditions, Captain Troy utilizes techniques honed over 33 years of charter boat fishing to match the feeding patterns of the day. Troy’s expert chumming method involves cutting up pogies or fish recently caught and spreading them around hook spaced 25 feet apart to establish a scent pattern called a “cookie trial.”

Adding chunks of cut-up bait fish to the mix helps to attract schools of redfish, tuna, shark and jack crevalle boatside for anglers casting live baits for hookups.

Troy also pulls artificial lures behind the boat at different speeds to target species like wahoo, king mackerel, or cobia on light tackle. Jigging heavy lead lures straight down is highly effective on tuna and amberjack holding close to structures. When fish actively chase bait on the surface, the heart-stopping sight of a 200+ pound yellowfin tuna exploding through the menhaden schools chasing popper plugs will get anyone’s adrenaline pumping.

Just be ready for a workout battling a fish ten times your size on spinning gear!

YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO CATCH A MONSTER. BOOK BELOW!

How you need to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure

Winter weather in Venice can be highly variable, so be prepared with layers. Temperatures range from freezing overnight to comfortable shirtsleeve conditions during the day. It’s a good idea to have rain bibs, jackets, hats and gloves until the sun warms the Gulf waters later in the morning.

Bring your camera because once offshore, while the captain and crew are focused on finding the fish, you’ll be able to take a moment and soak in the sights & sounds of your awesome surroundings in Venice, Louisiana.

Breaching sharks, a sky dotted with seabirds, jumping tuna, and the camaraderie of a successful day on the water create a day you will remember for the rest of your life.

Don’t forget to bring your food and drinks. We’ll take care of the rest. ~Captain Troy

Local accommodations and amenities

Since Venice is remote and still a bit rough around the edges, Captain Troy offers a turnkey service for visiting anglers. Several rental homes and fishing lodges are available on the water, featuring comfortable beds for each guest, satellite TVs, laundry facilities and full kitchens. This makes it easy for fishing groups and corporate retreats. The lodging is conveniently located just minutes from Venice Marina, where you can watch captains unload their catch, grab a bite to eat or arrange to have your catch prepared for dinner. Nothing beats the rewarding feeling of providing fish fillets for an evening fish fry after battling those tuna earlier that morning!

The ocean is calling… what are you going to do?

This is bucket list time, folks, and there’s no better place to check off  “Catch a Monster Fish” than Venice, Louisiana, at the height of the winter run.

Do yourself a favor by booking your next fishing adventure with Captain Troy Wetzel, the most experienced guide in the area with over three decades of local expertise. He’ll work hard to ensure you have the best opportunity to catch that fish of a lifetime! Where else can you realistically target multiple 200+ pound yellowfin tuna in a day or 100+ pound wahoo?

This remote angling hotspot is the stuff that fishing dreams are made of. This winter, don’t miss your chance to experience an incredible offshore fishing trip and collect memories that will last a lifetime. 

You may bring up to 6 anglers per guided charter boat. We offer both day charters and overnight charters. Day charters are estimated at about a 12-hour experience. All Charter Boat Captains are licensed and insured.

We now offer ONLINE BOOKING for this fishing adventure of a lifetime.

Charter Price Includes: full day or overnight fishing charters (FUEL [if you pay flat rate], rods, reels, tackle, equipment, bait/lures, fish filleting, & bagging)

Charter Price Excludes: Louisiana Fishing Licenses; tip Captains/Deck Hands; packaging of fish filets for shipping; & food/drinks during a fishing charter

Charter Deposits: We require a $500 security deposit to reserve dates for each offshore charter boat and a $500 security deposit to reserve dates for each inshore charter boat. All deposits are valid for 1 year (365 days) from the time of placement.

Things to Bring: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain gear/slicker suits, ice chest(s), and camera (if desired) Louisiana Fishing License required.

In the event that your charter dates are blown out due to weather, we will work with you to reschedule your trip within one (1) year based on availability. In the event that you cancel, your deposit is forfeited unless we can rebook the date(s).

We accept cash and checks. Checks are to be payable to: “Extreme Fishing, LLC”.

If we accept a credit card payment from you, there will be an additional fee of 4% of your total rate due.

If you have a small group of less than 6, we can attempt to coordinate your group with another small group to get you on the water and out fishing.