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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Trip

Water Type

Deep Sea

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Some fish are worth losing sleep over, and Captain Donnie has built a trip around exactly that idea.

This overnight offshore expedition pushes up to 180 miles into the Gulf of Mexico in pursuit of some of the hardest-fighting and finest-eating species the open ocean has to offer. This is big water fishing at its most immersive, the kind of trip that separates a list of target species from the actual experience of going after them properly. If knocking bucket-list fish is the goal, the strategy, the range, and the expertise behind this trip were built with that in mind.

The primary destination is the Midnight Knob, a productive offshore structure sitting roughly 170 miles out that holds Yellowfin Tuna in numbers that draw serious anglers from across the Gulf Coast. Yellowfin are powerful, relentless fish that demand everything an angler has once they're hooked, and fishing for them on a structure like the Midnight Knob means you're working some of the most productive deep-water territory in the region. But the trip doesn't begin and end with Tuna. Depending on conditions and what the offshore is producing, Swordfish, Sailfish, Marlin, and other pelagic species are all part of the picture, and Captain Donnie's ability to read the situation and adapt throughout the trip means your lines are always working the most productive method available rather than grinding through a slow bite hoping for something to change.

The strategy behind this trip is one of its defining strengths. Yellowfin Tuna spend much of their time deep, feeding on squid well below the surface, but they push up and become active in the early morning hours. Captain Donnie times the run to arrive on the grounds right as that window opens, targeting the fish with a focused early troll while conditions are in his favor. Once the Tuna bite winds down, the boat transitions to deep-drop drifting for Swordfish, a technique that requires patience, precise rigging, and the kind of experience that only comes from putting in serious time offshore. Captain Donnie has all of it dialed in, and the ability to move fluidly between techniques throughout the trip keeps you fishing effectively regardless of what the ocean decides to do.

The platform for this adventure is Captain Donnie's 35' Contender, a purpose-built offshore machine rigged and ready for everything this trip demands. Premium rods and reels, electric reels for deep-dropping, and all the terminal tackle and rigging needed for every species on the list are on board and ready to go. You bring the willingness to put in the work and Captain Donnie handles everything else from departure to return.

There is something genuinely difficult to describe about overnight offshore fishing that has nothing to do with the species list or the technique breakdown. It's the experience of running out in the dark with the lights of the coast fading behind you, watching the water change color as the shelf drops away beneath the hull, and arriving on distant grounds just as the sky begins to lighten and the fish start to feed. It's demanding in a way that most fishing simply isn't, and that demand is precisely what makes it so rewarding. The Gulf at 170 miles offshore is a different world entirely, and very few people ever get to see it.

Captain Donnie puts serious anglers in position to experience all of it. The run is long, the fishing is real, and the results speak for themselves.

If you're ready to fish big water and go after the kind of species most anglers spend years talking about, this is where that happens.

Amenities

Water Type

Deep Sea

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 30 days before the trip.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	24 hours
1 Person	$5,500.00
2 People	$5,500.00
3 People	$5,500.00
4 People	$5,500.00
5 People	$5,500.00
6 People	$5,500.00

Pay 25% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

About Your Guide

Donnie J.

Independent Guide 16 years of exp.

About Your Guide

Donnie J.

Independent Guide 16 years of exp.

Captain Donnie offers action-packed Venice fishing charters for Yellowfin Tuna and more. Captain Donnie's spent his entire life fishing the Gulf of Mexico waters of Venice, Louisiana, ever since his father, Captain Donnie Sr.

Captain Donnie Jr. is a USCG 50 Ton licensed captain who takes after his father’s tournament style of fishing, bringing that same excitement and competitiveness to each charter he takes out.

Captain Donnie will host you aboard his prized 35-foot Contender center console. Equipped with state of the art fishing equipment and electronics, as well as the necessary safety gear, this vessel is outfitted for offshore success. The Contender is a serious fishing machine for anglers who want to target big fish while retaining considerable comfort and safety for children.

Donnie will take take you on the fishing trip of a lifetime for Yellowfin Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Swordfish, Red Snapper, Amberjack, Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Mako Shark, Wahoo, and much more.

Back at the Venice docks, Captain Donnie and his crew will clean and fillet your catch, so be sure to bring a cooler with ice to transport home safely.

Please note that FUEL IS NOT INCLUDED in the price of this trip.

Fill in date, party size, trip duration, and start time above to book and get out there with Captain Donnie and Captain Experiences!

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Venice, Louisiana

Areas Fished

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Overnight Trip - 35' Contender

1/2

Boat Type: Center Console
Boat Manufacturer: Contender
Boat Length: 35'
Boat Restroom: Yes

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Center Console
Boat Manufacturer: Contender
Boat Length: 35'
Boat Restroom: Yes
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 900
Number of Engines: 3
Additional Amenities: GPS, Fishfinder, Live Bait Well, Outriggers, Tuna Tubes, Ice Box

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Deep Sea

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 30 days before the trip.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart » View Recent Venice Fishing Reports »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Everything Else to Know

Hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses. Rods, reels, tackle, lures, bait, fuel included.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 30 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 30 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Brad

Verified Review

July 8

Excellent trip with Captain Donnie! An experience every sportsman needs. Tails Up/Sea Cruiser will be my only go to when fishing out of Venice. Donnie is a true professional and will make sure you get on the fish no matter what it takes. His new Contender is a battle wagon and he and his crew are second to none.

Brad

Verified Review

July 8

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.