If it's a clear, still day, the water temperature could be 88 by the time the angler reaches his hole. Still, the lure of big fish may be a pull too strong to resist - especially if the morning turns up cloudy and breezy. For a generation Venice has been a magical name for bass fishers, boasting unique habitat and a prolific fishery. From the exotic, cane-lined passes on its vast delta, to the oil field canals and mud flats in the area around the Wagon Wheel, Venice could produce huge numbers of bass, and decent size as well. Georges' salty storm surge put a hammer blow on much of the bass population, killing many fish, forcing others far away from the delta.
Local fishers say a comeback that seemed to gather steam last spring has fizzled.
That slow fishing has been hampered by a late river. Further, rapidly falling water usually puts fish off on the delta. Venice anglers said Tuesday they saw only one or two Classic contenders practicing in the area. That could be a sign this area has fallen well out of favor - at least for this event. By Bob Marshall 1999, The Times-Picayune.