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Travel & Experiences

Venice Harbor in Louisiana

The sun's barely up, but Susan Gros is already out on the water, battling a redfish south of Venice, La. Gros is a world-record angler. When Times staff writer Hugo Martín visited Venice recently, travel agents and fishing guides warned him not to expect the niceties of a traditional vacation spot — the area is still in the process of recovering from Katrina.

The sun’s barely up, but Susan Gros is already out on the water, battling a redfish south of Venice, La. Gros is a world-record angler. When Times staff writer Hugo Martín visited Venice recently, travel agents and fishing guides warned him not to expect the niceties of a traditional vacation spot — the area is still in the process of recovering from Katrina.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, but the sports fishing industry is coming back strong. The marina, south of New Orleans, reopened less than a year after Katrina.

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A full moon illuminates Venice Marina. Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, but the sports fishing industry is coming back strong. The marina, south of New Orleans, reopened less than a year after Katrina.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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A boat leaves the Venice Marina at sunrise for open waters. The early bird gets the worm. Or, in this case, the early-rising sports fisherman gets the best spot and may bring in an impressive haul.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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A smashed fishing vessel and other wreckage litter a swampy area near the marina. Katrina left a mess, and it’s still visible throughout southern Louisiana.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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A pelican is silhouetted against a full moon. The Louisiana wildlife is bouncing back in the wake of Katrina.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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The moon casts an eerie blue glow over a wrecked fishing boat and other debris left by Katrina in a southern Louisiana swamp.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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Dustin Mulé casts his net into the water near Venice in hopes of catching some small fish he can use for bait. For decades, through rain and sun, people have been coming here to participate in the pastime that has made this tiny town legendary among sports fishermen.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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A flock of seagulls? Try a flock of pelicans instead. Several representatives of the state bird roost on the wood piles at Venice Marina as another dawn breaks on southern Louisiana.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

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