Snook, I Mean Snook

[davecon]

You guys from central Florida and further south may appreciate this.

Went to a local brackish river I know well and have been fishing for years. Casting small Rapalas, the bait of choice recently. Caught about 25 snook, mostly under 18 inches which is about par for the course.

About 10 a.m. I try a cove with water a little over knee deep. Get one that is 37 inches and 12.8 pounds. Retie my leader and 5 minutes later about 30 feet down the mangroves I get one 36.5 inches that weighs 10.8. Retie the leader, replace the lure as it is now destroyed, and 3 casts later and 20 feet down the way I hook another one in the upper 30's that jumps and throws the lure.

Kept working the area but the tide is going out fast. Gets so shallow I'm having trouble hitting bottom and I fish out of a Gheenoe. Finally had to leave the cove. Caught several more snooklets but that's all.

It's been several years since I've caught several SNOOK in one trip but it sure is shaping up to be a good winter!

Will have trouble sleeping tonight. Work tomorrow but am off Thursday and know where I'll be.

Makes me almost feel sorry for thoses guys up north. Almost.

Dave

[soflabasser]

Thanks for the report @Davecon.Snook is one of my favorite fish to catch and pound for pound one of the strongest inshore fish.

[Jtrout]

Got any pics of them?

[Josh Smith]

I would really like to try snook fishing one day.

Josh

[davecon]

Sorry but no pictures. I was by myself and only had the camera on my old flip phone. Snook that big are a handfull plus I didn't want to keep them out of the water any longer than necessary.

Went back to the same area this morning. Hooked and lost one really nice one. Did manage to catch a total of 20 snooklets, the largest only about 22 inches. Did manage one keeper red that will be supper tonight.

The dolphins were a problem off and on today and that may have been the difference. Who knows ?

If you have never caught a big Snook before, DON'T ! They will change your religion and bass fishing will never be the same.

[soflabasser]

Snook fishing is definitely addicting that's for sure!Have caught many big Snook but still enjoy catching Bass.

[davecon]

I have bass fished for 58 years, all here in central Florida. My first love and still bass fish often. Almost exclusively during the spawn. But if the Snook are up the river in any number and there are favorable tides that's where I'll be. The bycatch of reds and tarpon isn't bad either.

To tell you the truth I really enjoy it all. My wife is off work next week and wants to go for panfish with cane poles and worms. I'm really looking forward to that as well.

[soflabasser]

   We are very fortunate to live and fish where we do, with so much selection to choose from both Freshwater and Saltwater. We even have large exotic fish from other continents to fish for.

[davecon]

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you feel about it, we have very few exotics here in central Florida. Water gets a little too cold some years. We do have tilapia and armoured catfish but no "game" species.

We are fortunate with the year round fishing and incredible opportunities in both fresh and saltwater. The biggest drawback is the flood of winter visitors. I understand why they come, I'd do the same if I were in their shoes, but the obnoxious and incredibly rude behavior by a small percentage of them both at the ramp and on the water will surely test ones patience. I guess that is our penance.

[soflabasser]

Down here we have Peacock Bass,Pacu,Redtail Catfish,etc.All of these fish will test how good anyone's bass tackle is.There's even a place in Central Florida that has Barrumundi.And I know what you mean by the penance,but it's a small price to pay to have great fishing year round.

[davecon]

"Small price to pay" depends on where you are. Some locations/ramps the price can be higher than others, but I guess it's worth it. Just watch the national weather and read some of the posts here regarding "personal bests". Dumbfounds me sometimes but if these guys get worked up catching that size fish more power to em. Then again if we were talking deer hunting it would be the other way around considering how small most Florida deer are. Different strokes for different folks.

[Catch 22]

Sounds like your into some incredible catchin down there.Is the snookin better in winter or summer.

 

C22

[davecon]

Snook are a funny thing. I don't fish for them in the traditional manner, I prefer less popular out of the way places and for me it's the same as bass fishing almost. That's why I like it so much. I use the same rods and reels, for the most part the same lures and approach it very similar to bass fishing just pay attention to tides and currents more. Both summer and winter can be great. More of em around in the spring and summer but boy is it hot out there. Often I resort to fishing at night. Winter time is pretty good too as it concentrates the big ones in warmer water. Deep holes, springs (I mean very very small springs), sun warmed shallow rocks, etc. It just takes a lot of time and luck to find em. Some of my better trips have been when the temperature is down in the 20's. Ice in the rod guides, level winds freezing up, etc. If you can find the right area it can be amazing. By the way, the chamber of commerce and tourist officials will never admit to what I just wrote. The cold can be a double edged sword however. 5 years ago we had a February that was so cold it broke all records A full month it never got over 50. A huge percentage of the Snook actually died. Fishing was terrible. I actually quit fishing for them for well over a year.

So to answer your question it can be great all year you just adjust for the season.

[soflabasser]

I agree with Dave,Snook fishing is good all year.If your goal is catching big ones(+40") you should fish in Inlets,Spillways, or anywhere there's current and a abundant supply of bait for the Snook to eat.

[BassinLou]

This one fish I wished I would have gotten into, would be  Snook and Tarpon.  I have been chasing bass for so long that I missed opportunities to learn and fish for these awesome specimens.. 

[soflabasser]

This one fish I wished I would have gotten into, would be Snook and Tarpon. I have been chasing bass for so long that I missed opportunities to learn and fish for these awesome specimens..

Never too late to fish for Snook.They have very similar habits compared to bass.With all this rain many spillways are open.You have a good chance of getting Snook along with Bass over 8 pounds in these places...