ABOUT US
HELLO!
We’re Jeff and Connie Motes, owner-operators of Venice Sportfishing. We created Venice Sportfishing in order to give visiting anglers a choice in the way they experience this beautiful place that we call home.
Captain Jeff used to work for several of the big lodges in Venice, Louisiana. Because they have so many visitors every year, the big lodges keep to a tight schedule — breakfast at 5am, on the boat by 6am, off the water by 2pm. Oftentimes, Jeff knew the bite wasn’t going to start until 10am, so half the fishing day would be wasted waiting for the right conditions.
We want to understand your desires and aspirations for the trip, provide you with the most up-to-date fishing information and then tailor a gameplan to make your trip a memorable occasion for you and your group.
OUR TEAM
Our team is dedicated to ensuring you have the best trip possible, from fishing to lodging and transportation.
JEFF MOTES
Boat Captain
Capt. Jeff is a LOCAL in these parts and has fished these waters his entire life. He attended nearby Port Sulphur High School (proud Broncho!). Although school, football and baseball kept Jeff busy back then, he always found time to chase his passion of catching big redfish! Despite a stint pursuing a professional baseball career, Jeff’s lifelong passion eventually led him back to fishing. He’s been professionally guiding angling clients since 1999.
Being local has its perks! No one has a better network to know where the fish are and what’s working to get a bite. Bottom line, Jeff knows how to find fish and what it takes to get a bite, and will do everything in his power to make your Venice fishing dreams come true.
CONNIE MOTES
Director of Lodging
Connie was born and raised here in Venice, Louisiana, in a small community called The Village. She grew up in the family of a fourth-generation commercial fisherman and trapper, and would often accompany her dad as he worked The Bayou aboard his Lafitte skiff. Those days spent with dad laid a foundation of faith, family and hard work that guides Connie every day. They also fueled a deep love for this place she calls home. Cypress House is her labor of love, and she’s gone above and beyond to make it feel like home for our guests. Let her share her knowledge and passion with you to make your stay here a memorable and comfortable experience.
OUR BOAT
Get to the spot faster
Capt. Jeff drives a purpose-built 25.5-foot Blackjack Bay Series. It was built from the ground up to provide a safe, stable and comfortable fishing platform. It is designed to get you from spot to spot quickly, and keep you in the zone longer to maximize your fishing opportunities. It will comfortably accommodate 3 anglers for a day of fishing.
This boat is a fishing machine!
Every detail was thought out to provide an optimal fishing experience. Some of the key fishing features of Capt. Jeff’s boat are the following:
- Large, stable, elevated bow area perfect for sight casting
- Mercury Verado Evo 3: 400HP motor is light, quiet and fast
- Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor, 72-inch shaft, 36 volts, 112 lbs. of thrust – keeps you in the spot longer
- 1.5-foot draft with motor mounted on a jack plate to allow access to the shallow water where the fish are
- SIMRAD GPS, fish finder and HALO radar
- Two 8-foot Power Poles shallow water anchoring system
- Two bait live wells
- Large in-deck fish hold
Fish in style
You will be comfortable while out fishing with Capt. Jeff. Here are some of the key boat features designed with your comfort in mind:
- T-top shade
- Comfortable seating for 3 anglers
- Aquatraction custom deck material for comfort and non-slip safety
- YETI® cooler with padded seat top to keep food and drinks cold
- 12-speaker, 2-amplifier (1,400 watts) high-end audio system
- Dual USB ports to keep your phones and cameras charged and ready to capture your adventure in pictures and video
Fish your gear or ours
We use Falcon and Castaway Rods (6.5 and 7-foot) and Penn Clash (3000 and 4000 size) series reels. All gear and terminal tackle are included in your trip, but our customers are welcome to bring their own gear.
If you would like to bring your own gear, please make sure it is similar in specs to ours:
- Medium Action
- 10-20 pound line rating
- 3/4 to 1 ounce lure rating (for inshore); up to 6 ounces for offshore red snapper fishing (30 pound line rating)
We welcome fly-fishing anglers. The boat setup works well to fish on the fly, and we have had several successful fly-fishing visitors. You must bring your own gear though, if you want to fly-fish.
Let us know if you would like to ship out your personal gear prior to your arrival.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Cypress House
is our family-owned, luxury townhome located within the Cypress Cove Marina. The house features over 2,000 square feet of waterfront accommodations, situated in one of the top FISHING and HUNTING destinations in the world. This townhome is well equipped to be your home away from home. Cypress Cove Marina is a short 3-minute drive by car or 5-minute boat ride to world-famous Venice Marina. Stay in quiet luxury, without compromising your access to the best that Venice has to offer.
This raised waterfront property boasts an inviting, spacious living room with a large screen TV, an open dining room and fully equipped kitchen. Have us provide your meals, or cook your own. Washer and dryer, including laundry detergent, are available. All towels and linens are provided during your stay. The house has 7 beds, capable of sleeping 12 guests. The plush bedding will greet you after a long day on The Bayou and leave you refreshed to tackle the next day's adventure!
Enjoy the waterfront views from the top deck or relax/dine under the covered, dockside patio!
Along with the top in-shore fishing available with Capt. Jeff, we can recommend and/or arrange side trips for Offshore Fishing, Hunting, Bird-watching, Sightseeing, Kayaking and Airboat Tours.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
Our goal is to provide you with a custom-tailored trip that suits your particular wants and needs. Let us pick you up and take you back to the airport. Let us cook for you. Our All-Inclusive package includes meals of a breakfast sandwich, sack lunch, and dinner. Even for our guests who like to cook their own food, many love to have us provide some classic Southern Louisiana meals like gumbo, or a shrimp and crawfish boil.
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