IMPORTANT LICENSE/REGULATIONS INFORMATION
In Florida: You must have a SNOOK PERMIT AND a SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE!
Click Here: FLORIDA FISHING LICENSE INFO
-Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
NOTE: Help Florida Snook Research and Conservation by donating Snook Carcasses!
SNOOK
- A natural predator with an aggressive nature that likes to hide, wait, and then ambush prey.
- A fighting fish with a size range from 3 to 15 pounds, may mean a few runs and jumps to catch one!
WHERE TO FIND
Snook can be found near the edges of:
- Grassy Flats
- Channels & Riverbanks
- Mangrove Islands & Inlets
- Canals & Passes
- Sandbars & Shorelines
HIDING SPOTS
Under or Near:
- Bridges- Like the Intracoastal Waterway or the Skyway
- Docks
- Pier Pilings
- Underwater Ridges
- Underwater Structures
- Sunken Debris on the Bottom
- Objects over Beaches
*TIP: Waters with current, such as Outgoing Tide, are best – especially days with four Tides!
TACKLE COMBINATIONS
- SPINNING
-- 7-foot, 7’6”, or 8-foot
-- F or XF Action
- CASTING/CONVENTIONAL- Good for Open/Deeper Waters
-- 7-foot, 7’6”, or 8-foot
-- M or MF Action with Trigger Action
- SPINNING with Smooth Gears/Action and a great Drag System
- CONVENTIONAL REEL with Wind Leveler System
For SPINNING TACKLE:
- 20-lb or 30-lb Braided Line
- 40-lb Fluorocarbon Leader
*TIP: When using Braided line learn the right KNOTS to avoid tangling caused by wind.
For CASTING/CONVENTIONAL TACKLE:
- 20-lb Monofilament Line
- 20-lb Fluorocarbon Leader
*TIP: For Casting Rods Fluorocarbon is preferred, and heavier Line/Leader (40/50-lb) when using large Live Bait.
WHAT TO USE
Both Artificial Lures and Live Bait will work!
LIVE BAIT
- Shrimp
- Scaled Sardines
- Grunts – Catch these outside Residential Canals and the mouths of Estuaries.
- Strips of Squid- Rigged to find fish
- Crabs
- Mulletheads and Ladyfish heads
- Any small fish:
Pinfish
Small Mullet
Threadfin
Sand and Silver Perch
*TIP: Learn how to use CAST NETS and catch all the Live bait you will need!
ARTIFICIAL LURES- Smells are useful and effective!
- Floating Lures- Float, then make noise when you retrieve them to attract fish.
- Suspension Lures- Sink to a certain depth and “suspend”.
- Jigs
- Soft & Hard Plastics
EXAMPLES:
-Jerk/Mirror Plugs
-Poppers
-Spoons
-Plastic Shrimp, Grubs, and Crabs
*TIP 1: For Snook use Lures that sit higher in the water column.
*TIP 2: Try attaching Soft Plastics to a Jig, imitating the body of live Shrimp or Crab!
This Seasoned Angler in Brazil “Caught & Released” this huge Snook using a Jig and Soft Plastic Shrimp Combo!
-Courtesy IGFA
Good Luck catching Snook this season and Happy Fishing!