Snook tips

[NYWayfarer]

I have a trip planned for Florida during Snook season. It's a fish I have always wanted to catch but I have never found the time to go on past Florida trips.

 

Anyone have any tips for catching Snook inshore fishing? I will be doing some research on it before I go but I always like to ask experienced anglers.

 

Could I use my Bass gear for Snook? Size 2000 reel with 20# braid or 3000 reel with 30# braid on a Med/Heavy rod? Do Snook require a mono leader or will straight braid work?

[J Francho]

I've caught them on medium to heavy bass gear.  Super Flukes worked pretty well on my trip.  The biggest issue was the bull sharks that were in the area we were fishing.  You had to get the snook in fast, or the sharks would eat it.

[bigbassin']

What part of Florida? The farther south you go, the better your chances get.  The southwest coast has also been hit very hard with red tide and isn't fishing very well at the moment from what I've heard.  So I'd definitely keep both those considerations in mind when picking a location.

 

The snook I've caught came on a mh spinning rod with a 2500 reel, 20# braid, 25#mono leader and live shrimp as bait. On the flats or in the surf, your bass gear is no problem at all.  It'll be pretty sporty if you're fishing off a pier or around docks, but still possible with some skill/luck.

 

From what I've always heard, they are one of the most line shy fish in Florida.  Long mono or fluro leaders are the norm, and they have very rough mouths so you'll have to retie every fish/every other fish or so.

[NYWayfarer]

59 minutes ago, bigbassin' said:

What part of Florida? The farther south you go, the better your chances get. 

Melbourne Beach

[bigbassin']

8 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Melbourne Beach

I've never personally done it, but I've heard the surf snooking there is very good around Satellite Beach (2 to 3 from the beach in one day is what I'd call very good).  The flats in that area do have them, but reds and trout are definitely more prevalent.  Drive a little south to Sebastian Inlet and you'll be at possibly the most popular snook spot in the state.  Be aware it is a pier that gets extremely crowded with all sorts of folks, so you need to be able to get your fish up away from the pylons and other people's line ASAP, so your bass gear may not cut it here.

[NYWayfarer]

12 hours ago, bigbassin' said:

I've never personally done it, but I've heard the surf snooking there is very good around Satellite Beach (2 to 3 from the beach in one day is what I'd call very good).  The flats in that area do have them, but reds and trout are definitely more prevalent.  Drive a little south to Sebastian Inlet and you'll be at possibly the most popular snook spot in the state.  Be aware it is a pier that gets extremely crowded with all sorts of folks, so you need to be able to get your fish up away from the pylons and other people's line ASAP, so your bass gear may not cut it here.

We are definitely hitting the flats. My friend did mention the possibility of reds and trout. I am as excited to get a red as I am a Snook so it's all good.

[davecon]

I Snook fish about 80 % of the time and bass fish 20 % of the time all on the west coast of Florida. I usually fish brackish water and sometimes straight salt.

 

I use the same tackle for snook that I do for bass. Baitcasters for heavy lures, 3000 series spinning reels with light or medium light rods for lighter lures. I use 20/30 lb braid with about 20 to 24 inches of 20 or 30 lb. fluoro leader.

 

Lures - early in the morning -Zara Spook, later in the day, any topwater or shallow running jerkbait you would use for bass. Weightless Flukes, DOA shrimp, plastic jigs, plain old Johnson Minnow Spoons, etc.

 

Don’t let anybody tell you you must use saltwater lures !  In my experience, 40 years snook fishing, Bass lures work better. Just make sure you work the lures faster than you would bass fishing.

 

Can’t help you on the shore fishing as I have never done much of that.

 

If you want to whet your appetite, watch a YouTube video “Snook Fishing 101”. The guy that does the video can get a little annoying but his videos are pretty good. Pay attention to the tackle he uses and how he fishes the lures. You ain’t in Kansas anymore !

[NYWayfarer]

@davecon Thanks for the info. I have a couple of 3000 size spinning reels I will bring on the trip as well as a baitcaster.

 

I will be sure to check out the video.

 

[NYWayfarer]

My buddy who lives in Florida scouted the area today. He caught a Jack Crevalle, Puffer, some kind of Grunt and a Snook. All on live shrimp.

 

He picked up some Super Flukes and DOA Shrimp for our trip to the same spot. Thanks for the help guys. I can't wait to go.

[soflabasser]

Saltwater jigs are good if you are fishing in areas with current. Live mullet is hard to beat if your goal is to catch a trophy snook over 40 inches in length.

[mrmacwvu1]

My best baits this year have been 1/8 jigs with mirror lure marsh minnows in white behind them. I was averaging over 10 snook a day on them. Spooks are my go to baits first thing in the morning. 

[gypsyking]

On 10/5/2018 at 2:34 PM, NYWayfarer said:

My buddy who lives in Florida scouted the area today. He caught a Jack Crevalle, Puffer, some kind of Grunt and a Snook. All on live shrimp.

 

He picked up some Super Flukes and DOA Shrimp for our trip to the same spot. Thanks for the help guys. I can't wait to go.

Do did you end up catching any?

[NYWayfarer]

8 hours ago, gypsyking said:

Do did you end up catching any?

Unfortunately no. It was a puffer day, all day...

[soflabasser]

On 10/8/2018 at 1:07 PM, soflabasser said:

Saltwater jigs are good if you are fishing in areas with current. Live mullet is hard to beat if your goal is to catch a trophy snook over 40 inches in length.

I wrote this +10 months ago and will still write the same today, next year, or +10 years later. Saltwater jigs are excellent lures for snook and it is hard to beat a 8-12'' live mullet if your goal is to catch a 40'' or better snook. Have caught +40'' snook on lures but live bait is a better option. Make sure to use a thick mono leader since snook have a sharp gill plate that can easily cut though braid and light mono.