Venice is one of the most productive and accessible inshore fisheries on Florida’s Gulf Coast. From the rock jetties at the Venice Inlet to the quiet grass flats of Roberts Bay, the creeks off Shakett, and the winding ICW south through Nokomis, Venice-area waters reward kayak anglers who know where to go and when to be there.
At Economy Tackle, our staff fishes these same waters year-round. When you buy kayak gear for Venice from us, you’re getting recommendations from people who’ve run these tides and know which flats hold fish in September.
See our complete guide to kayak fishing in Sarasota Bay for full gear, techniques, and species guides.
Venice sits at the convergence of several distinct water types that create exceptional fishing diversity within a short paddle of each other:
Rocky structure that holds sheepshead, snook, tarpon (summer), Spanish mackerel, and seasonal cobia. The jetties are one of the most productive structures in the region.
Shallow grass flats and mangrove edges south of the Venice Inlet. Excellent trout and redfish year-round; snook in summer.
Winding tidal creek with tight mangrove habitat. Holds large snook on outgoing tides. One of the better backcountry creek fishing spots in the region.
Deep channel edges and dock lines holding sheepshead in winter, snook and snapper in warmer months.
Pompano and Spanish mackerel in the surf zone during spring and fall migrations.
GPS: 27.11308804783126, -82.46878326324611
North Jetty Park sits at the mouth of the Venice Inlet and provides the best kayak access to the jetties. Strong tidal current runs through the inlet; recommended for experienced paddlers. Best on an incoming tide for trout and snook just inside the channel.
Note: The Venice Fishing Pier itself is located in the Gulf of Mexico approximately three miles from the jetties and is not a kayak launch site.
GPS: 27.18091644508494, -82.49525058974032
Blackburn Point Kayak Launch provides excellent access to Little Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, and the mangrove shorelines of Osprey. A paved double-sided launch with less boat traffic than the main Venice area. The Blackburn Point Bridge itself is a productive structure for sheepshead and snook year-round.
GPS: 27.126705396099656, -82.44112024926271
Loreto Court is the best launch point for Shakett Creek access. From here, paddle south into the creek system for some of the most productive backcountry kayak fishing in the region. Ample parking and easy launch conditions.
Spring and fall are the two peak seasons for Venice-area fishing. Water temperatures are moderate, bait becomes more prevalent, and predator fish feed aggressively. Here’s what to target:
September is peak snook season at the Venice Inlet and in the creek systems. Outgoing tides flush bait through Shakett Creek and concentrate fish at the mouths.
Bull redfish begin schooling near the inlet and passes as fall approaches. Some of the largest redfish of the year are caught in September around Venice.
Water temps drop in fall, and bait becomes more prevalent, concentrating trout on the Roberts Bay flats. MirrOlures and DOA shrimp on incoming tides. Spring sees the same pattern as water warms.
Run through the inlet in spring and fall. Fast-retrieved silver spoons and topwater Zara Spooks along the beach and outside the jetties produce explosive strikes.
Starting to appear around bridge pilings and dock structure as water cools. Fiddler crabs or live shrimp.
Economy Tackle stocks everything you need for Venice-area inshore and offshore fishing. Our staff can pull together a targeted selection based on exactly where you’re planning to fish and what time of year:
7-foot medium spinning rod with 2500–3000 size reel; 20 lb braid with 20–25 lb fluoro leader. Top brands including Shimano, Accurate, Century, G. Loomis, St. Croix, Daiwa, Penn, and more are available in-store.
Johnson gold spoon, DOA shrimp (natural and chartreuse), topwater plugs for dawn
MirrOlure 52M, DOA Cal jerkbait, Berkley Gulp! shrimp on 1/8 oz jig
1/2 oz silver casting spoon, Gotcha plug, fast retrieve
We carry top brands including Shimano, Accurate, Century, G. Loomis, St. Croix, Daiwa, Penn, and more.
Shrimp, pinfish, and finger mullet available in-store; call ahead to confirm.
Venice’s mix of open bay, tidal creeks, and occasional inlet fishing calls for a versatile setup. A 10–12 foot sit-on-top kayak handles all of these environments comfortably. For anglers covering the open Roberts Bay flats, a pedal-drive kayak lets you focus on casting rather than paddling against the afternoon breeze.
Economy Tackle carries Native Watercraft, Bonafide, Crescent, Hurricane, Hobie, Wilderness Systems, and Pelican kayaks; many are available to demo before you buy. If you’re considering adding a Bixpy electric motor or a Newport motor kit for longer Venice-area runs, we can walk you through the best pairings for each model.
We’ll set you up with the right gear and the latest fishing report.
See our complete Sarasota Bay kayak fishing guide for full gear, techniques, and species guides.
