Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Venice, FL (Full Guide)
Venice offers some of the best fishing in Florida which is often very overlooked by anglers and tourists alike. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish these rich waters can really help your success rates.
The best time to fish Venice, Florida is from April through June for amberjack, barracuda, blackfin tuna, black drum, bonito, cobia, gag grouper, mahi-mahi, red grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, permit, sailfish, sheepshead, snook, spotted seatrout, and tarpon.
Venice is known for its productive fishing spots. Anglers interested in freshwater can go fishing in the rivers. You can also go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Brackish estuaries, expansive grass flats, reefs as well as wrecks hide an abundance of fish.
Best Time to Fish Venice, FL
Fishing in Venice is the most productive in the late spring and in the early summer. It’s worth noting that the best time of the year to go fishing in the area largely depends on the fish species you are targeting.
It would be great to study the bite times of your favorite species ahead of time. This will help you find out when fishing for these species is the most active in the local waters. As a result, you’ll be able to make plans for your Venice fishing trips.
The time of the year when anglers go fishing in Venice matters. Different fish species are active at different times of the year. That means that fishermen need to know what they can expect to catch in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Venice (FL) Species Breakdown: Best Times & Months
Amberjack
Amberjack is active in the waters near Venice throughout the year. However, the best times of the year to fish in Venice are between March and May and between October and December.
Amberjack bites well in the early morning and in the evening. Nokomis is the perfect place to target amberjack in the region.
Barracuda
The barracuda fishing season in Venice starts in the early spring and ends in the late fall. Summer is the best time of the year to target barracuda in the region. Barracuda feeds actively in the early morning and in the late evening. Barracuda can be found near Osprey.
Cobia
The cobia fishing season in Venice begins in March and ends in December. The best times of the year to target cobia in the area are between May and June and in October.
It would be better to go fishing for cobia in the middle of the day. Englewood is the right place to fish for cobia.
King Mackerel
The season to catch king mackerel in Venice starts in the early spring and ends in the late fall. King mackerel fishing is the most productive during the spring and fall months.
The best months to target king mackerel in the region are April and October. Oftentimes, king mackerel bites well at dawn and at dusk. Fishing for king mackerel in the region is good near Nokomis.
Mahi-Mahi
Mahi-mahi is the most active in Venice during the summer months. July is the best time of the year to target mahi-mahi in the region. Mahi feed actively during the morning and evening hours. Mahi can be caught near Nokomis.
Gag Grouper
The early fall is the best time of the year to target gag grouper in the waters near Venice. Gag grouper is the most active in the morning. Nokomis is one of the best places to target gag grouper near Venice.
Red Grouper
Red group fishing in Venice is best in January and between November and December. Red grouper feeds actively in the morning. It makes sense to go fishing for red grouper near Nokomis.
Redfish
Redfish is the most active in Venice between March and April and during the fall months. Redfish bite well in the morning. It’s recommended to target redfish in the waters near Nokomis.
Spotted Seatrout
The best times of the year to fish for spotted seatrout are between March and April and between October and November. The late evening is the best time of day to fish for spotted seatrout. It’s a great idea to fish for spotted seatrout near Osprey.
Tarpon
Tarpon fishing is good in Venice year-round. Venice tarpon fishing season is high between April and October. The best time of the year to target tarpon in the region is between the late spring and the late summer. Tarpon bites well in the early morning.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in the Venice, FL
These Venice-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| High-Class Hooker Charters | Venice, FL |
| Fun Day Charters | Venice, FL |
| Angling With Adria Charters | Venice, FL |
| Fire Drill Charters | Nokomis, FL |
| Birds Of Prey Charters | Osprey, FL |
| Cash Money Charters | Nokomis, FL |
| Venice Reef Charters | Nokomis, FL |
| Fast Cast Fishing | Nokomis, FL |
| Untide Charters | Nokomis, FL |
Best Time of Day to Fish Venice, FL
The vast majority of anglers prefer to fish in Venice either in the morning or in the evening. It would be better to check the bite times to make sure that you are going to target your favorite species at the right time.
Angler’s choice also depends on the time of the year when you go fishing. In summer, it’s recommended to fish in Venice in the morning and in the evening. By doing so, you’ll manage to avoid fishing in hot weather. It’s also important to note that water cools down and that’s why fish get active during the morning and evening hours.
On the other hand, it would be better to go fishing in the afternoon during the spring, fall, and winter months. The weather is getting cooler and that’s why water heats up only during afternoon hours. The activity of fish increases when the water is getting warmer. So, fishing is best in the afternoon during the colder months.
Venice Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides have a large impact on fish-feeding activity. So, it’s incredibly important to get an understanding of when tides are high and when tides are low in the region. That’s why anglers need to study the local tide charts when getting ready for a Venice fishing trip.
Anglers should avoid fishing when the tide is at its highest and lowest. Fishing is better when the water is flowing. It would be better to fish Venice during the incoming and outgoing tides.
Flood current increases the activity of fish. Oxygen and nutrients are brought to the area during the rising tides. As a result, fish get active and start searching for food actively.
Storms & Venice Fishing
Storms and rainstorms have an impact on fishing in Venice. That’s why it’s so important for anglers to know how storms affect fishing in the region. Anglers should take advantage of storms to maximize their fishing.
Fishing in the region is productive before and after storms. It’s necessary to go fishing before storms hit or after storms end. Anglers should identify the windows around storms and go fishing at the right time.
On the other hand, fishing during storms should be avoided. It’s worth noting that storms cause stress to fish. So, fish move to deep waters and don’t bite during storms. High waves, strong winds, and heavy rains pose the risk to anglers. That’s why fishing trips are usually canceled if bad weather is expected.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Venice?
Venice is a destination where fishing is possible at any time of the year. However, many fish species are inactive in the region in winter due to colder weather. So, fishing in Venice is less productive during the winter months.
Nevertheless, it’s possible to go fishing and catch something in the region in winter. Anglers can target such species as amberjack, black grouper, bluefish, red grouper, sheepshead as well as tripletail during their winter fishing trips in Venice.
Night Fishing in Venice, FL
Night fishing is popular in Venice. Anglers choose to fish in the bays and canals during nighttime. There are many reasons why anglers choose to fish in Venice at night.
Night fishing is very romantic. Trips start in the evening and end in the morning. That means that anglers have an opportunity to enjoy the sunset and sunrise.
It’s comfortable to fish in Venice at night during the hot summer months. It’s not hot at night in summer. So, night fishing makes it possible for anglers to avoid summer heat as well as sunburns.
But most importantly, night fishing is very productive. Snook is the main target for anglers, who fish Venice at night. When fishing in Venice during nighttime, anglers can also catch such species as bluefish, black drum, snappers, groupers, redfish, spotted seatrout, and tarpon.
It’s important to note that anglers often catch trophy-sized fish in the local waters during night hours. That means that night can put you on the fish of your dreams.
Best Seasons to Book a Venice Charter
Seasonality affects fishing in Venice. Fishing in the region varies throughout the year. So, anglers can catch different species each season. Now, we’ll talk you through each season in the area.
Spring
The early spring is a great time of the year to fish in the inshore and nearshore waters of Venice. Waters heat up in spring and fishing is getting better. April means the beginning of the peak fishing season in the region.
When fishing in inshore waters, anglers can target such species as black drum, sheepshead, snook, spotted seatrout, redfish as well as tarpon. Jack crevalle and kingfish can be found in nearshore waters.
Anglers going further to offshore waters can catch amberjack, barracuda, blackfin tuna, bonito, king mackerel, sailfish, and wahoo. The reefs also attract plenty of fish. Amberjack often bites well near reefs.
Summer
The Venice fishing season is still high in the early summer. Anglers can go fishing in inshore and offshore waters in summer. It also makes a lot of sense to fish near reefs. Red snapper is the main target in the local waters in Venice during the summer months.
Other catches include amberjack, barracuda, blackfin tuna, cobia, grouper, mahi-mahi, jack crevalle, tarpon, redfish, sailfish, snook, permit as well as yellowtail snapper.
Fall
Fall fishing in Venice is good. Anglers can go fishing closer to shore or go further from shore. Fishing near the reefs and wrecks is also very productive in the area during the fall months.
The most popular fish species to target in the local waters in fall include amberjack, black drum, cobia, groupers, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, permit, redfish, and snook.
Winter
Winter fishing is also possible in Venice. In winter, the waters are calm and that’s why anglers find it comfortable to fish in the area. Anglers can catch amberjack, jack crevalle, groupers, snappers, redfish, snook, tarpon, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel during the winter months.
Top Fishing Spots Near Venice, FL
Nokomis
Nokomis gives anglers an opportunity to enjoy fishing in crystal clear waters and relax on beautiful sandy beaches. The fishing destination impresses fishermen with its rich marine life and abundance of fish.
There are many fishing spots to explore in the region. It’s possible to fish on the flats, backwaters, reefs, in shallow bays, and go fishing in deep waters.
Fishing in Nokomis is good between April and December. Anglers can target amberjack, black drum, cobia, mahi-mahi, king mackerel, tuna, red snapper, sailfish, snook, spotted seatrout, redfish, tarpon, tuna and wahoo during their Nokomis fishing trips.
Roberts Bay
Roberts Bay is another popular destination in the region. The bay is located between Nokomis and Venice. Anglers can explore many great fishing spots in the bay. Summer is the best time of the year to go fishing in Roberts Bay.
The top targeted fish species in Roberts Bay include largemouth bass, white bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, crappie, jack crevalle as well as snook and sunfish.
Venice Inlet
Venice Inlet provides anglers with great fishing opportunities. This place has gained huge popularity among shore anglers.
Fishing is good on bridges, on flats, and near docks. Fishing in Venice Inlet is the most productive during the spring and summer months. The main targets in Venice Inlet are bluefish, jack crevalle, tarpon, redfish, sheepshead, and snook.
Venice Waterway Park
Venice Waterway Park provides anglers with easy access to productive waters. The park is well-known for its natural trails and bike paths. When fishing in the park anglers can enjoy spectacular views of nature, rich wildlife, and bird watching. It’s the perfect place for picnics and grills. A lot of fishing charters are available in the park.
Artificial reefs attract plenty of fish to the local waters. The fishing season starts in March and ends in November. Bluefish, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, trout, redfish, speckled snook, redfish, Spanish mackerel, pompano, and sharks can be found in the local waters.
Osprey
Osprey is a fishing location where anglers can enjoy fishing in inshore and nearshore waters. When fishing in the local waters, anglers prefer to use such techniques as spinning, trolling as well as bottom fishing. The Osprey fishing season begins in March and October.
Osprey is the perfect place to target such species as amberjack, barracuda, cobia, jack crevalle, king mackerel, redfish, spotted seatrout, and snook.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Anglers can either book a charter to go fishing in offshore waters or fish from shore in Venice. Surf anglers prefer to fish from beaches, bridges, docks, parks, and piers.
There are many beaches in Venice and its surrounding areas. Surf fishing on the beaches of Venice is always interesting, excellent, and exciting. Venice Fishing Pier is another place that attracts so many anglers, who take an interest in surf fishing in the region.
It also makes a lot of sense to visit Venice if surf fishing is more to your liking. A lot of fish move through Venice Inlet. Fish is constantly migrating from the Gulf of Mexico to the inshore waters of Venice. That’s why fishing is very productive in this place.
Venice offers great surf fishing opportunities. Anglers can target many different species when fishing from shore. These include cobia, flounder, kingfish, mangrove snapper, pompano, sheepshead, snook, sharks, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, and whiting.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Englewood, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Big Pine Key, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Homestead, check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Port Charlotte, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Shalimar, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Niceville, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Nokomis, check out this helpful guide.
