grumpy

Im relocateing to south west florida and will be keeping boat near venice inlet.I have 23 foot cc ,any info on fishing and boating in this area would be appreciated,Thanks Doug

First Light

Information about inshore or offshore?

grumpy

inshore to about 20 miles out.thanks,Doug

First Light

Inshore around Venice is not the best as the bays are narrow with a lot of boat traffic. You can go north to Sarasota Bay or further north to Tampa Bay (all day trip) and the inshore fishing improved. Same thing south - Lemon bay is not too bad, and Gasparilla Sound/Charlotte Harbor are both very fishy areas.

Off the beach there has been a pretty good run of spanish mackerel the past few weeks and king mackerel have also just arrived. Grouper fishing has been good, but most of the good grouper fishing in the spring summer and fall months is beyond 20 miles. We get a run of blackfin tuna this time of year and they are here now, but are not the easiest to find and will probably be gone within the next 2 weeks - most are found beyond 20 miles. Hope this helps.

alleydc

I'll take exception to First Light and say that the inshore fishing around Venice can be excellent. Roberts bay is great, but you'll have trouble fishing it properly in your boat (shallow with oyster bars). Do yourself a favor and pick up a little jon boat or a kayak for days when you want to fish shallow. With your big boat, learn to work the docks in the ICW. They hold some large snook. Offshore, there are numerous rockpiles, ledges, and artificial reefs. Do yourself a favor. Go to WWW.FLORIDASPORTSMAN.COM and click on the Forums link. Look for the Southwest forum. That is where the Venice crowd will hang out.
If you are willing to spend a little money to learn, there are some excellent guides working that area.

In Too Deep

I agree with alleydc's information a will add that while you set a limit of 20 miles I think that you soon find that you'll expand that distance. Many summer days you'll find that the water will be very flat and will allow smooth runs out as far as you desire. We often plan trips out around 15-20 miles and find near perfect conditions on our way out so we continue on to deeper water 30+ miles out. You'll be surprised at how many other boats you see 35 miles offshore, including smaller boats and bayboats.

Chris

grumpy

guys thank for info on venice area.I have to learn a new area ,should be intresting .Thanks Doug

TeamXFT

If you can venture out to 30 miles you can get into some decent depth. 100 ft. and get some decent grouper and occassional pelagic action.

Dan
http://www.kingfishconnection.com -- Your online SKA super site!

chalkguy

hey Grumpy......lots of good fishing right off the jetties of venice inlet...reds, snook and trout........just gotta know where to look....lots of coastline fishin too....I'm just concerned is how you are going to get that 23ftr into some of the skinny water here...let me know when you move...I'm down on the port charlotte harbor.....some nice fishin here......but I've been finding good spots to fish on the coast from pine island to sarasota........SO MANY FISH.....SO LITTLE TIME!!!........retirement does have it advantages!!