1 month ago · Updated 6 days ago
Venice, Florida sits on the Gulf Coast and is renowned for its accessible fishing opportunities, especially from the iconic Venice Fishing Pier and nearby inshore waters. Anglers flock here for a variety of species and scenic sunsets, making it a prime destination for both locals and visitors.
Weekly Catches
The catches below cover the last 7 days.
Sheepshead
The sheepshead bite has been described as "insane" this week in Venice, Florida, with anglers reporting high catch rates. These fish are typically found around structure, such as the Venice Fishing Pier and jetties, where their affinity for crustaceans makes them susceptible to baits like shrimp and fiddler crabs.
- Best action near pier pilings and rocky jetty areas.
- Effective baits: live shrimp, fiddler crabs.
Pompano
Pompano are coming in strong, with catches reported along the beaches and near the pier. These migratory fish are most active during the fall, and anglers have found success using pompano jigs in pink and white, sometimes tipped with shrimp for added attraction.
- Hotspots: sandbars and troughs paralleling the shoreline.
- Effective baits/lures: pink and white pompano jigs, shrimp-tipped jigs.
Redfish
Redfish are available and can be kept within slot sizes. Schools have been active, especially around mangroves and oyster bars. Anglers are using a mix of artificial baits (such as Johnson Silver Minnow and Berkley J-Walker) and live bait like sardines and pinfish to locate and chum up schools.
- Hotspots: mangroves, oyster bars, sandbars near Venice.
- Effective baits/lures: Johnson Silver Minnow, Berkley J-Walker, live sardines, pinfish.
Snook
Snook are being caught in shallow water near the pier and beaches. These prized game fish respond well to lures such as bucktails and swimbaits, and are often targeted during twilight hours for the best bite.
- Hotspots: shallow flats, pier structure.
- Effective baits/lures: bucktails, swimbaits.
Trout
Trout are also available for harvest within slot sizes. The action is picking up in shallow water, with anglers reporting good catches on soft plastics and live bait.
- Hotspots: shallow flats, grassy areas near the pier.
- Effective baits/lures: soft plastics, live shrimp.
King Mackerel & Spanish Mackerel
King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel have begun to show up along the beaches north towards Venice, with nearshore fishing improving as cooler temperatures settle in. Slow trolling with live threadfin herring and silver mullet is productive for kings, while Spanish mackerel respond well to live sardines and trolling small Clark spoons.
- Hotspots: nearshore structure, passes, beaches north of Venice.
- Effective baits/lures: live threadfin herring, silver mullet, live sardines, Clark spoons.
Weather & Marine Conditions
Recent cooler temperatures have brought excellent fishing conditions to Venice, Florida. The Gulf waters are clear, and the absence of major hurricanes this season has kept marine environments stable and productive for anglers.
- Best fishing times: late afternoon to sunset, especially from the Venice Fishing Pier.
- Water clarity: high, with minimal debris or turbidity.
Tides & Solunar Activity
Twilight hours and periods when major or minor bite times coincide with rising or falling tides have produced the best results, especially for beach and pier anglers. Checking local tide charts is recommended for optimizing catch rates.
- Peak activity: dawn and dusk, aligning with tidal movement.
- Tip: Target sandbanks and holes indicated by irregular wave patterns for increased success.
Fishing Conditions & Tips
The Venice Fishing Pier remains a top spot for accessible fishing, offering free entry and no license requirement. Anglers can rent rods and reels, and purchase bait on site, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned fishers. Techniques such as soaking bait for larger species and casting lures like bucktails and swimbaits are popular and effective.
- Rod & reel rentals and bait available at the pier (check for amenity hours).
- Common catches: snook, tarpon, redfish, mackerel, sheepshead, sharks.
- Photography tip: sunset views from the pier are spectacular, with frequent dolphin sightings.
Regulations & Notices
No fishing license is required for fishing from the Venice Fishing Pier, making it accessible for all. However, anglers should be aware that parts of the pier may be temporarily closed due to hurricane repairs, and amenities like bait shops may have limited hours. Always check for updates before planning your trip.
- Redfish slot limit: 18″–27″, 2 fish per boat.
- Pompano bag limit: 6 per person, 11″ minimum fork length.
- King Mackerel: 3 per person per day, 24″ minimum fork length.
- Spanish Mackerel: 15 per person per day, 12″ minimum fork length.
Fishing Dashboard 🎣
Your one-stop hub for tides, catches, and weather — tailored to your favorite fishing spots
Venice, Florida
Loading...
--°F
Loading...
Temperature
--°F
Feels like
Range: --°F / --°F
Wind
-- mph
Direction: --
Quality: --
Precipitation
-- in
Chance: --%
Status: --
Humidity
--%
Relative humidity
Comfort: --
Pressure
-- inHg
Trend: --
Level: --
UV Index
--
Level: --
Protection: --
Visibility
-- mi
Distance visible
Quality: --
Water Conditions
--°F
Water temperature
Waves: -- ft
24-Hour Forecast
Venice
Fishing Spots Map
Unable to load map
There was an error loading the map. Please try refreshing the page.
Leave a Reply