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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Venice, Florida fishing guide
This is Venice, Florida, on the Gulf in south Sarasota County, not Venice, Louisiana at the mouth of the Mississippi. Venice anglers fish the rock jetties at Venice Inlet, the 720-foot city fishing pier at Brohard Park, the groynes along Caspersen Beach, and the Intracoastal and Roberts Bay behind the island. Compared with Siesta Key and Sarasota to the north, which fish the big grass flats of Sarasota Bay, Venice shore fishing centers on the inlet, the beach and the pier, and the town sits right on FWC's line between the Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor regions near the Venice Municipal Airport, where the snook closed season runs a month longer to the south. The pier was battered in 2023 and 2024 and fully reopened Sept. 29, 2025.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Venice, Florida. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Nokomis, Venice Inlet, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Port Manatee, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Venice, Florida. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Coastal Angler Fort Myers Fishing Reports (opens in a new tab) CB's Saltwater Outfitters weekly reports and monthly forecasts (opens in a new tab) Visit Sarasota County monthly fishing reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Venice, Florida. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Slow | Good | Slow | Good | Slow | Peak | Peak | Slow |
| Cobia and tripletail | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow |
| False albacore | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Slow |
Snook
Peak: March, April, May, October, November
The inlet jetty rocks hold snook, and in fall they move off the beach and passes onto docks and bridges in the ICW.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February
Winter sheepshead crowd the Venice jetty rocks; bring extra rigs because the rocks eat tackle.
Redfish
Peak: August, September, October, November
Late summer and fall schools break up in October and work potholes, bars and mangrove shorelines in the bays behind the island.
Spotted seatrout
Peak: June, July, October, November
A live shrimp under a popping cork or a jig drifted over deeper grass is the standby.
Tarpon
Peak: May, June
Migrating fish run the beaches in late spring, and juvenile tarpon stay in creeks, canals and the ICW into early October.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: March, April, October, November
Spring and fall Spanish feed under diving terns in the coastal Gulf off the beach; throw a small jig on wire or heavy fluorocarbon.
Cobia and tripletail
Look around buoys, crab trap floats and channel markers inside and in the coastal Gulf.
False albacore
Peak: October, November
Fall albies blitz bait in the coastal Gulf alongside Spanish mackerel; find the birds.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
Remaining 2026 schedule: Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, every day Oct. 9 to 22, Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit, in state waters only.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
2026 recreational season was Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1, matching the NOAA season in adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
2026 recreational season was Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Sarasota Bay region (north of 27°04.727' N, near the Venice Municipal Airport)
Harvest closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Aug. 31. Keeping one also requires a snook permit with your saltwater license.
FWC, current (standing rule) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Charlotte Harbor region (south of 27°04.727' N)
Harvest closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30. Keeping one also requires a snook permit with your saltwater license.
FWC, current (standing rule) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor regions
Open year-round in both regions. Slot, bag and vessel limits are set by region, check FWC.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor regions
Open year-round in both regions under the regional seatrout rules adopted in 2026.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Jetty
Venice Inlet jetties
Two rock jetties at the inlet that hold snook and sheepshead, and eat plenty of tackle.
- Pier
Venice Fishing Pier (Brohard Park)
A 720-foot city pier with about 16 and a half feet of water at the end, open 24 hours with free admission; one line per angler and no shark fishing gear.
- Beach
Caspersen Beach groynes
South of the pier the rocky seawalls and groynes along Caspersen Beach give shore anglers structure to fish.
- Bay
Roberts Bay and the ICW at Higel Marine Park
Higel Marine Park overlooks the Intracoastal and is a launch for the Dona Bay and Roberts Bay paddling trails.
- Reef
Venice Beach offshore reef
A reef about a quarter mile off Venice Beach, known to divers.
- Offshore
Coastal Gulf off Venice
In fall watch for diving terns over Spanish mackerel and false albacore, and check crab trap floats and markers for tripletail and cobia.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Park and Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 301 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285 |
| Higel Marine Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1300 block of Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, FL 34285 |
| Nokomis Beach bayside boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 100 Casey Key Road, Nokomis, FL 34275 |
| Blackburn Point Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 800 Blackburn Point Road, Osprey, FL 34275 |
| Venice Fishing Pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Free | 1600 S. Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (2)
Showing all 2 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Crow's Nest Marina
Bait: live bait
1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, FL 34285
Full service marina on the Venice Inlet with gas and diesel, live bait and tackle, ice and kayak rentals, open 6:30am to 5pm daily.
- Pier shop
Papa's Bait Shop (Venice Fishing Pier)
1600 S. Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285
Bait shop midway down the Venice Fishing Pier at Brohard Park; the city lists hours of 8am to 8pm daily, weather permitting.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| The Miss Venice (Sarasota Fishing Fleet) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| CB's Saltwater Outfitters fishing charters (Siesta Key) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Abbott's Family Charters (Capt. Greg Abbott) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Venice Police Department Shark Tooth Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually early September, from Crow's Nest Marina; local captains take athletes with special needs from The Haven fishing
2026: held Thursday, Sept. 10 (24th annual)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Venice, Florida, asked and answered
Is the Venice Fishing Pier open?
Yes. WWSB reported the pier fully reopened Sept. 29, 2025 after hurricane damage in 2023 and 2024, with new hardwood decking and railing. Admission is free and the city says no fishing license is needed on the pier.
Which snook rules apply in Venice?
It depends which side of 27°04.727' N you fish, a line near the Venice Municipal Airport. North of it is the Sarasota Bay region, closed May 1 through Aug. 31; south of it is the Charlotte Harbor region, closed May 1 through Sept. 30. Both are also closed Dec. 1 through February.
Where do locals fish from shore in Venice?
The Venice Inlet jetties for snook and sheepshead, the city pier at Brohard Park, and the rock groynes along Caspersen Beach south of the pier.
Where can I launch a boat in Venice?
Marina Park and Boat Ramp at 301 E Venice Avenue, Higel Marine Park on Tarpon Center Drive, the Nokomis Beach bayside ramp on Casey Key Road, and Blackburn Point Park in Osprey.
Where do I get live bait in Venice?
The Crow's Nest Marina on the inlet sells live bait and tackle from 6:30am to 5pm daily, and Papa's Bait Shop sits midway down the city fishing pier.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Venice, Florida
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
- cbsoutfitters.com/capt-rick-grassetts-monthly-forecast-for-november-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- venicegov.com/visiting/fishing-pier (opens in a new tab)
- annamariainshorefishing.com/whats-biting-calendar (opens in a new tab)
- crowsnest-venice.com/marina (opens in a new tab)
- mysuncoast.com/2025/09/30/venice-fishing-pier-fully-reopens-after-several-years-hurricane- (opens in a new tab)
- mysuncoast.com/2026/09/10/venice-polices-annual-shark-tooth-fishing-tournament-bring-smile (opens in a new tab)
- siestakeychamber.com/listing/abbotts-family-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- siestakeychamber.com/listing/cbs-saltwater-outfitters-boat-rentals-fishing-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- siestakeychamber.com/listing/the-miss-venice-deep-sea-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/article/locals-guide-fishing-sarasota-county (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/article/monthly-fishing-reports-sarasota-area (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/higel-marine-park (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/marina-park-and-boat-ramp (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/nokomis-beach (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/venice-beach (opens in a new tab)
- visitsarasota.com/discover-natural-sarasota-county/boat-ramps (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Venice, Florida
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.