Dave and Debbie Ballay: Since opening the Venice Marina back in 1985, Dave and Debbie have been instrumental in developing the Southern Louisiana area as a sport fishing and hunting mecca. Even after selling the marina in 2002, they still maintain a close relationship and continue to provide marketing and promotional assistance. Currently, the Ballays own and operate Venice Outdoors and the Grand Oak Farm (axis & fallow deer).

To insure the continued growth of the Venice area, Dave actively participated in various clubs, organizations, committees and associations that were involved with promoting the area. These were the New Orleans Tarpon Club, Louisiana Tarpon Club, Coastal Zone Management Committee and the Louisiana Travel Promoters Association. Dave also accepted an appointment by the governor to the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries Recreational Fishing Development Promotion Board. He received a very special honor by being inducted into the Louisiana Sportsman Hall of Fame in 2002 by the LA Outdoor Writers Assoc.

Debbie currently holds the record for the 2nd largest Tarpon ever landed by a female angler in the state of Louisiana weighing in at over 214 lbs. She also received recognition from the International Game Fish Association for the most Tarpon tagged and released in a single year.

Brandon Ballay: When Brandon was 18, he was one of the youngest licensed charter captains in the state of Louisiana. Now in his 30's, he is a full time charter captain and also offers guided ducks hunts in Venice area. He is an expert at catching Tarpon, Blue Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Kings, Cobia, Specked Trout and Red fish.

Brandon has been featured in numerous publications, the most recent is the front cover picture and story in the March 2004 edition of Sport Fishing Magazine.

Brandon is co-owner of the charter service, Sportsman Outfitter, Inc. which is one of the best recognized and sought after guides services in Venice by the sport fishing industry. They are known by TV, radio and outdoor media publicists as the experts in the southern Louisiana area because they produce when time and money are important factors.

Brent Ballay: In between Boat Shows, sponsor shoots and other promotional venues, Brent introduces sportsman to the phenomenal fishing and hunting bounty that surrounds the southern Louisiana area as a full time inshore/offshore charter captain and duck hunting guide. Brent also competes in the Southern Kingfish Associations Pro Tour and is the captain of the Blue Wave Boat team competing in the Red fish Tour, Professional Lure Division.

Brent is an expert at catching all types of Big Game Sport fish like Tarpon, Blue Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, King Mackerel and Cobia. Brent received recognition from the Tarpon Fishing Fraternity for the Tag-and-Release of 21 Tarpon that he and his brother caught and released in one single day.

The Ballay's have both written and had hundreds of articles written about them for both regional and national publications. They have also appeared in well over 50 TV shows on hunting and fishing. Promotional Services