Venice,
Louisiana
Pre-trip
& Travel
Planner
WELCOME
ABOARD
We have done the exploring and gathered up all the details
just for you.
The printable version of this planner, along with a detailed gear list, is linked below.
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This unique experience features lodging right ON the water in Louisiana’s Venice marina. Named the “Sportfishing Capitol of the World”, our lodge is about a 90 minute drive south of New Orleans, right on the edge of the Mississippi River delta.
Our airport shuttles will stop on the way in for you to grab booze at our favorite liquor store. Make your selection from the vast offerings and arrive at the lodge, where we will provide everything else you need for your entire stay. Our guides pick you up and drop you off each day right from the lower rear deck! The lodge features comfortable rooms and cozy lounges, perfect spaces to relax after each exciting day of fishing.
Your on-site Creel Chef and Crew will pull out all the stops, providing each meal crafted from the best local ingredients. Our team has been on the ground in this area of the Gulf for years, seeking out and establishing relationships with top-tier sources. Seafood, caught fresh from the waters you are fishing in, make routine appearances each day in Chef’s selections.
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Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) on your arrival date (first day of the trip).
Arrival window: Book your flight to land at MSY between 11 am -1 pm.
We will organize everyone into shuttle groups ahead of the trip, so be sure to fill out our travel details form as soon as you have your flights booked!
The details for your pick-up will be provided in the itinerary you receive ahead of the trip.
Our shuttles will pick you up based on the average arrival time of the group. Arrival before 11 am will potentially require you to wait in the airport for an extended period, and arrivals after 3 pm will require you to pay for separate transportation to the lodge (can be at least $150-300 per person).
Dinner will be served around 6 p.m. on arrival day. Your shuttle will stop at a great liquor store, for anglers who want to purchase booze to have on hand at the lodge.
If folks in your shuttle would like to stop for Po’boy’s on the way out of New Orleans, that can likely be arranged. Just in case the airline food didn’t do it for you….
After your flights are booked, make sure to fill out the Travel Details form that we sent you. We will use the details provided to coordinate the shuttle run times.
Should you choose to kick-off or end your Louisiana adventure with a stay over in New Orleans, we can accommodate the shuttle runs to pick your group(s) up accordingly. Please include these details in your Travel Details form. Email Samantha@travelcreel.com for assistance with booking an added experience in and around New Orleans before or after our Venice trip!
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Our shuttles will leave from the lodge NO LATER THAN 11 a.m. on your departure date (the last day of the trip).
Anglers will enjoy a Grab-&-Go breakfast before loading into our shuttles. We will coordinate the shuttle run times based on the average flight times for the anglers in the group.
Please book your departing flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to take off AT OR AFTER 3 p.m. to ensure you have enough time to check-in and get through security.
Our shuttles can always make a pit stop for a Po’boy or beignet on the trek back to New Orleans.
With advance noticce, we can also accommodate an additional stay in the area. Let us know your needs and preferences and we will make sure you are taken care of, however you choose to start or finish!
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Our guide team will meet you on the lower rear deck after breakfast each morning to head out into the Mississippi River delta on skiffs. The nearby shallow waters are ideal conditions for sight-casting to redfish. We mix up fishing partners and guides each day, be sure to check our board each evening for your next day’s assignment!
Venice offers some of the best fishing along the entire Gulf Coast for our target species. Our guide team will navigate you through the vast marshes and along the barrier islands as they line you up to make each cast.
Make sure to practice your short-range cast ahead of the trip. Oftentimes, you will have a very short window to make a short flip of a cast in shallow water. Hook one of these hard-fighting bull’s and you are in for a battle!
Gear
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We always suggest bringing your own equipment. However, our amazing guides can provide rods/reels if needed. Be sure to note your need for gear to be provided on your Travel Details form, too!
Flies and terminal tackle are included.
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9, 10 or 11wt, 9ft rods rigged with floating lines. Our favorites are SA or Rio Floating Redfish Warm and appropriately sized, sealed drag saltwater reels.
Be sure to inspect your reels and ensure they are properly functioning well before your trip!
Have at least 250 yards of backing attached to the fly-line with a bimini knot.
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We have partnered with George Revel at Lost Coast Outfitters in San Francisco, California to help guide you to the proper gear for your Venice, LA fishing needs.
“A little bit about me and Lost Coast Outfitters, We are California's premiere fly shop outfitting clients to go all over the world from our San Francisco based fly shop. We can build personalized shopping carts and send them on to you and your crew, we ship fast and have excellent inventory and customer service.”
George Revel, Lost Coast Outfitters
Click below to check out and purchase George’s Venice gear suggestions!
Get Your
Fishing License
for Venice
Use the link below to purchase a
“Charter Fishing License”
We are fishing for 4 days -
You will need to get TWO
of the “Charter Passenger
Saltwater 3-Day” licenses.
Create an account and/or login to buy online:
This is what you are looking for on the licensing page
We are happy to assist you with your fishing license purchase to ensure you make the right selection!!
Travel Insurance
Travel Creel Hospitality HIGHLY recommends travel insurance for all your adventures.
We have made controlling every variable we can our business. However, some- we just can’t. As these trips require an investment, we are happy to assist with choosing the right travel insurance for your specific needs, should you choose to make the purchase.
Your Days in
Venice
Included
- 5 nights of accommodations at our amazing lodge on the Venice marina
- 4 days of guided fishing excursions
- All meals provided by your Creel Crew Chefs
- Airport Shuttles
- Terminal Tackle**
**our guides will provide flies, leader and tippet**
If you need our guides to provide rods/reels, please let us know in advance on your Travel Details form so we can make the arrangements for you!
Not Included
- Airfare and travel expenses
- Booze
- New Orleans Fishing Licenses (see above for detailed instructions)
- Gratuity***
***Gratuity amounts are a personal decision, based on the service you feel we provided.
It is customary to tip your guide in cash at the end of each day of fishing and the Creel Crew lodge staff at the end of your stay. On the morning of your departure day, we will send an email with a link to our Cashless Creel Crew page if you prefer an alternative method for tipping the lodge staff*
Typical gratuity
- Guides: $150 cash per day - per boat (split with boat mate)
- Creel Crew lodge staff: $200-$250 per angler for your stay