PO Box 604 Livingston, LA , 70754 USA
Offering world class light tackle fishing for Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder and other inshore species. Come fish where the fish live... Venice, La!
Photos provided by Reel Shot Guide Service
You can contact Reel Shot Guide Service by using this form or by calling 985-969-0810
| Website | Reel Shot Guide Service |
| Phone | 985-969-0810 |
| Address | PO Box 604 |
| Location | Livingston, LA , 70754 USA |
 With a vast network of bayous, canals and coastal bays, the lower Mississippi River Delta is known as one of the most vital estuaries in the world. Coursing through the heart of Sportsman’s Paradise, the Mississippi River pumps prolific nutrients throughout the marshes, laying the foundation for marine life. As a result of this phenomenon, billions of young fish are produced here each year. Within this protective sanctuary, species flourish and ultimately bolster an amazing fishery.In his lifelong search for saltwater fishing paradise, Capt. Brandon Carter has covered thousands of miles of southeast Louisiana marshes. His search was over in the mid-1990s when he came to Venice, Louisiana.  "I grew up fishing in south Louisiana," said Carter, chief owner and operator of Reel Shot Guide Service. "My father and I fished Grand Isle, Port Fourchon, Elmer’s Island and Point a la Hache since I was really young. But since I came here, I’ve never had any reason to go anywhere else."Whatever kind of fish or game you’re looking for, chances are you can find it in Venice. With habitats and marine environs of every kind, it is home for a plethora of fish and wildlife species. From freshwater to the interior brackish marshes, to coastal saltwater to offshore, there’s something for every kind of outdoors enthusiast. One of the most exciting styles of fishing is targeting big speckled trout and redfish on light tackle. And anyone who has ever fished this area knows that there is no other place in the world like it.  "I fish Venice for two main reasons," said Carter. "First of all, it’s a year-round fishery. There’s something big happening every month of the year. The other reason is the size of speckled trout. There are few places that consistently produce trophy fish like the lower Mississippi River Delta."With nearly 20 years of experience, Carter has become known for his ability to target, track and boat monster speckled trout. He has had days on the water that have produced more than 30 trout over six pounds, including several that were in the seven and eight-pound range. One of his most noted days was in the summer of 2001, when he landed a whopping speckled trout that was apparently large enough to win a $30,000 Pathfinder boat, Mercury outboard motor and trailer package in the Coastal Conservation Association’s STAR Tournament. Carter felt that he had the winning fish was in the box. But then his father pulled in another monster trout that looked to be nearly as big. At the tournament scales that afternoon he held both of the trout - his trout in his left hand and his father’s in the right. He extended the fish in his right hand to the weighmaster - his father’s, which weighed 7 pounds, six ounces. He then weighed the fish in his left hand, his – and it weighed exactly the same.  "The rules said that in the event of a tie, the first fish weighed in wins," Carter said. "So he won. If someone was going to beat me like that – I’m glad it was my dad."He has countless stories of monster specks, and likes nothing better than to put customers on big fish. "When you’re talking about big speckled trout and redfish, there’s no place like Venice," he said. "I’m pretty confident that the next state record (speckled trout) is going to come from this area." |
