Southern Access Charters - 

4.9
(84 reviews)
 
State licensed
 237 Sports Marina Road, Venice, LA 70091, United States–

Southern Access Charters - 

Venice, LA, United States
–
24 ft
4
4.9
(84 reviews)

Southern Access Charters offers some of the best inshore fishing trips on the fascinating waters of Venice, Louisiana. Here, the Mississippi River spills out into the Gulf of Mexico, producing diverse and twisting bayous, ponds and rivers that are home to a large number of exciting fish species, and you'll have the chance to explore it all.

Step aboard the 24' Key West bay boat, built specifically to peruse these waters. Built in 2011, she's a modern vessel and comes powered by a 300 HP Suzuki outboard motor to get you to the fishing grounds in no time. Featuring a GPS, fishfinder, VHF radio and radar, you'll head to the most productive spots with ease. Once you get there, the wireless trolling motor will kick in, keeping you afloat in the skinniest of waters.

Up to 4 anglers are welcome to make yourselves comfortable aboard, taking advantage of the comfortable seating and the T-top that provides shade throughout the day. You'll be handed the latest rods and reels along with plenty of lures, while you can also fish with live bait at an additional cost (usually ranging from $80 to $130 based on the number of people).

Try a range of methods as you look to attract the bite of a range of exciting and delicious fish. Try bottom fishing and jigging for the best results, as you target Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, Tripletail, Sheepshead and many more, on what promises to be a fun-filled trip to sea.

Everything you need for a productive day out awaits you on board. All you need to do is bring some drinks and snacks, and settle in for a thrilling fishing experience with Southern Access Charters. Come and discover the bays and bayous in true Louisiana style!

Southern Access Charters offers some of the best inshore fishing trips on the fascinating waters of Venice, Louisiana. Here, the Mississippi River spills out into the Gulf of Mexico, producing diverse and twisting bayous, ponds and rivers that are home to a large number of exciting fish species, and you'll have the chance to explore it all.

Step aboard the 24' Key West bay boat, built specifically to peruse these waters. Built in 2011, she's a modern vessel and comes powered by a 300 HP Suzuki outboard motor to get you to the fishing grounds in no time. Featuring a GPS, fishfinder, VHF radio and radar, you'll head to the most productive spots with ease. Once you get there, the wireless trolling motor will kick in, keeping you afloat in the skinniest of waters.

Up to 4 anglers are welcome to make yourselves comfortable aboard, taking advantage of the comfortable seating and the T-top that provides shade throughout the day. You'll be handed the latest rods and reels along with plenty of lures, while you can also fish with live bait at an additional cost (usually ranging from $80 to $130 based on the number of people).

Try a range of methods as you look to attract the bite of a range of exciting and delicious fish. Try bottom fishing and jigging for the best results, as you target Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, Tripletail, Sheepshead and many more, on what promises to be a fun-filled trip to sea.

Everything you need for a productive day out awaits you on board. All you need to do is bring some drinks and snacks, and settle in for a thrilling fishing experience with Southern Access Charters. Come and discover the bays and bayous in true Louisiana style!

Chad Rudolph
Captain
Chad Rudolph
22 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
US $800
Entire boat: 2 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.9
84 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (229)

What anglers say

100%
Great experience
93%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
100%
Recommended
100%
Caught fish

All reviews (84)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 1 – 5 of 84 reviews
Doug Patterson
Doug Patterson
Repeat angler
us
Texas, US
Member since 2025
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Five star fishing guide
Full Day Trip on February 24, 2026 • 2 adults

Chaptain Chad is a top tier guide working hard to finding the fish even with the weather conditions being far from perfect. Fished with him over three consecutive days with constant changing weather patterns, he always found fish enabling us with lots of meat for the freezer. One day in particular will be a trip my son and I will treasure for the rest of our lives catching sheepshead, redfish, black drum, speckled and sand trout, pompano along with bull redfish and black drum. My many thanks to him and look forward to future trips.

Reported catch:
Redfish
Black Drum
Speckled Trout
Sheepshead
+1
Jayden Gurney
Jayden Gurney
us
North Carolina, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Incredible fishing!
Full Day Trip on July 15, 2026 • 1 adult • 2 children

Chad is a super nice guy, communicated really well before the trip and was really good with my 12 and 9yr old kids. We caught piles of fish, limited out on Red Snapper and Redfish and he made sure there was never a lull in the action.

Reported catch:
Red Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Black Drum
Redfish
+2
Albert Woolford
Albert Woolford
Repeat angler
us
Maryland, US
Member since 2025
2 trips
5.0
Verified
New
Captain Chad was spot on!
Full Day Trip on October 30, 2026 • 4 adults

Can’t wait to book again next year!

Chad Rudolph
Response from Captain

Thank you! Had a lot of fun with you guys and yes looking forward to it again.👍

Jb Davis
Jb Davis
Repeat angler
us
Tennessee, US
Member since 2024
4 trips
5.0
Verified
great trip dispite the weather
Full Day Trip on July 12, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child

Chad work hard to keep us on the fish while dodging rain all day. Thank you Sir !!!

James Berreth
James Berreth
Repeat angler
us
North Dakota, US
Member since 2025
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Gave this trip all fives
Full Day Trip on February 11, 2026 • 3 adults

Would have given much higher but five was the highest possible boat was spotless and very fast captain moved when ever fishing was a tiny bit slow. Cleaned very fast by captain many beautiful white boneless filets to enjoy

Reported catch:
Black Drum
Redfish
Flounder
Sheepshead
Chad Rudolph
Response from Captain

Thanks, enjoyed fishing with you and very glad to put you on fish and bags of fillets. 👍

FAQs about Southern Access Charters -

Southern Access Charters - offers the following trip to customers:
  • US $800 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Southern Access Charters -, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Wireless trolling motor
  • Sonar
  • Radar
Trips booked with Southern Access Charters - include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano, Penn, Ugly Stik)
  • Lures (Live bait can be prepared at an extra cost.)
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
Southern Access Charters - offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Reef fishing
  • Wreck fishing
  • Flats fishing
Southern Access Charters - offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with Southern Access Charters - include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Speckled Trout
  • Tripletail

Your captain

Chad Rudolph
Chad Rudolph
Venice, Louisiana, United States
292 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
84 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since August 2015
Born into and raised by a family of fishermen in Venice, LA, Captain Chad has always been on the water growing up. Despite this, he claims that every trip is like his first day on the water. He wants you to experience why he's a fishing guide – that is, to put you on fish and to enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf of Mexico.
Chad Rudolph
Chad Rudolph
Fully verified
292
reports
84
reviews
2015
member since
~1h
response
Born into and raised by a family of fishermen in Venice, LA, Captain Chad has always been on the water growing up. Despite this, he claims that every trip is like his first day on the water. He wants you to experience why he's a fishing guide – that is, to put you on fish and to enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf of Mexico.

The fish you can target

Black Drum
Black Drum
Flounder
Flounder
Redfish
Redfish
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Red Snapper
Red Snapper
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Tripletail
Tripletail
Black Drum
Black Drum
Flounder
Flounder
Redfish
Redfish
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper

Real catches by this captain

  • Large assortment of striped sheepshead and other fish arranged across a wooden dock, with an angler standing behind the catch.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Sheepshead
    Albert W.
    Albert W.
    Can’t wait to book again next year!
  • A family poses proudly with their catch of various fish, including Snapper, displayed on the boat after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Jayden G.
    Jayden G.
    Chad is a super nice guy, communicated really well before the trip and was really good with my 12 and 9yr old kids. We caught piles of fish, limited out on Red Snapper and Redfish and he made sure there was never a lull in the action.
  • Group with a young angler poses behind a large boat-deck display of red snapper and assorted reef fish at a marina.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Snapper
    Jb D.
    Jb D.
    Chad work hard to keep us on the fish while dodging rain all day. Thank you Sir !!!
  • Two adult anglers pose behind a large mixed reef-fish catch, including snapper, grunts, and other coastal species, arranged across the boat's cleaning table at the dock.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Sheepshead
    Doug P.
    Doug P.
    Chaptain Chad is a top tier guide working hard to finding the fish even with the weather conditions being far from perfect. Fished with him over three consecutive days with constant changing weather patterns, he always found fish enabling us with lots of meat for the freezer. One day in particular will be a trip my son and I will treasure for the rest of our lives catching sheepshead, redfish, black drum, speckled and sand trout, pompano along with bull redfish and black drum. My many thanks to him and look forward to future trips.
  • A large variety of fish, including striped bass and black drum, displayed on a dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Black Drum
    james b.
    james b.
    Would have given much higher but five was the highest possible boat was spotless and very fast captain moved when ever fishing was a tiny bit slow. Cleaned very fast by captain many beautiful white boneless filets to enjoy
  • Two anglers kneeling beside a bountiful catch of various fish, including Snapper and Trout, displayed on the deck of a boat at the marina.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Tina L.
    Tina L.
  • Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of large Red Snapper on the dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Tina L.
    Tina L.
  • Angler proudly displaying two large Red Snapper after a successful fishing trip at the dock.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Brad, his son and friend were overly excited about just fishing red snapper most of the morning. They did. They couldn’t believe how fast and easy it is to catch red snapper. Tossed in some biguns but they were so satisfied no matter the size. Limits of nice slot reds inland and they were some very satisfied customers. Gonna do it again in the morning with my new friends.
  • An angler proudly displaying a large Speckled Trout while fishing on a boat during sunset.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Larry and “E” ordered up a big trout, reds, and snapper day. Tripled up with two of the best anglers for all three limits of these species. “E” topped us all on the artificial for the trout. All trout were 18”-19” without having to toss one back 20 or over. Reds were eating the 4 horseman and the snapper piece of cake. I have a few days open this week then I’ll be back in full action for a while. Hard to believe Ethan is graduating this year. Seems like yesterday he was a little guy taking his baseball buddies on my boat taking on bull reds! Go big “E”!! Another great day and thankful to fish with them again.
  • Angler proudly displaying a large Speckled Trout while fishing on a sunny day.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Redfish
    Two fun Californians Father and son flew in just to catch and release. After an incredible time in New Orleans they drove on down to the fishing capitol of the world Venice La. For an experience they will never forget!

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
24 ft
Year built
2011
Boat manufacturer
Key West
Boat type
Bay boat
Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 300HP
Max cruising speed
50 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Popping
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Wireless trolling motor
Sonar
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano, Penn, Ugly Stik
Lures
Live bait can be prepared at an extra cost.
Catch cleaning & filleting

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
You keep catch
Crew keeps catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 PayPal
 Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Venice right now

Black DrumBlack Drum
FlounderFlounder
RedfishRedfish
SheepsheadSheepshead
Snapper (Mangrove)Snapper (Mangrove)
Snapper (Red)Snapper (Red)
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout
TripletailTripletail

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Southern Access Charters -
Southern Access Charters -
State licensed
4.9
(84)
24 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
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+6
8 hour trip • 4 persons
US $800