Snook Question for So. Florida anglers?

[GonzoFishing]

I know this question is about another species but I'm posting this in the Southeast section because its a very location specific question. I'm heading to a small lake here in Miami. This is one of those lakes that is connected to other lakes by canals that eventually lead to the bay. These small lakes hold freshwater and saltwater fish. My question is this. Would you keep a snook you caught from one of these lakes? I've always heard that its not a good idea to eat the freshwater fish that live in the canals due to pollution but I figured since this was a saltwater fish it might be alright. Anyway, any input would be appreciated

[Bassn Blvd]

The snook in those ponds most likely have zero access to saltwater. They traveled through the spillway and pipes. Snook and tarpon adapt to freshwater, unlike other saltwater species.  The snook won't be able to reproduce though. I'm not sure about the tarpon.  As far as eating the snook goes, I would treat them like any other freshwater fish.  If you won't eat the bass from a particular pond or lake then I wouldn't eat the snook.  

Snook are "fair" table food compared to snapper, grouper, dolphin wahoo, swordfish, etc.  Your better off catch and release with the snook if they don't have full access to your pond or lake.  Also, ocean snook taste different than the snook that hang around intracoastal bridges, docks and freshwater lakes.

You will need a snook stamp to keep snook, regardless of where you catch them.

[SirSnookalot]

I've taken slot home before and my wife and I didn't care for snook, I know lots of people love it, but I prefer one of my old sneakers.

I wouldn't fear eating freshwater snook, but I don't believe they will taste anything like a nice "clean" silver ocean snook, which are on the beach now.

[GonzoFishing]

Thanks for the input! I've had snook one other time and to be honest, I wasn't too impressed. My brother told me he tried it breaded and deep fried and said it was really good so I was hoping to give it another try. Either way it didn't happen for me today. We did catch a bunch of peacock bass which was fun!

[Bassn Blvd]

Eat the Peacocks. I haven't tried them yet but heard they are good.

Smaller Snook taste better than the bigger ones. When I say smaller I mean under the slot limit. But its' illegal to keep them under size so don't do it.

I will keep one right at the slot limit about once or twice a year but mostly catch and release.

IMO, they have really screwed up the slot limit and bag limit. For example; Cuban (flatside) Snook don't grow to the minimum size limit and are very tasty. The limit used to be minimum 18" and you could keep 4 Snook. Now it's 26-32 and can keep only one >.

I said earlier, if you want to eat Snook, then your better off getting them out of the surf.

When I go Snook fishing I either go for the thrill and use light tackle or I go for the big, big mommas.

[SirSnookalot]

Bassn, I don't want to correct you but the slot is 28-32 atlantic 28-33 gulf, with 1 harvest per day.  As of Sept 1, a saltwater license is needed to fish from shore and a snook stamp is required to harvest.

From what I see the snook population is strong, slot should be eased a bit, 26-32 seems reasonable.

To those of you that are unfamiliar with harvest, it does not mean you can catch a slot, give it to your bud, then catch and keep one for yourself.  1 keeper a day regardless what you do with it.

[Bassn Blvd]

So what's 2 inches .  I was renewing my license plate today and the tax collectors office had a pamphlet of Florida fishing regulations.  I saw that they now require a license for shore fishing.  I never understood why they require one for fresh water shore fishing but not salt water.

They change the slots yearly I think just to   us fisherman up.

[ABLE2DISABLE1]

The snook I have caught in fresh water ponds TASTES a whole lot better than the salty mud flavor the salt water has.And yes I have eaten all of the above ways to catch SNOOK.Marinas,Canals,Creeks,and even the BEACHES.Buy for the best tasting, white fluffy, tender piece of meat.Not fishy.I would like to know why some people are afraid of fresh water snook.They move in for what ever reason, spawning, cold weather will push them into the shallows for warmth.What ever, it is a somewhat cleaner ecosystem, forage,and no predators, except man.That's me,Leave them there and I be more than happy to catch-em up.Take your fish and then splitting the center for a pocket, then take your rib meat, picking the bones out making a tuna like salad spread into pocket and bake, until done.Also try taking your meat boiling it making the tune like spread,what ever spices, and rizs crackers and chatter cheese or creamchees with chives my favorit.I will not eat anouther salt water snook givin or caught.

[Bassn Blvd]

It obvious your taste for food sucks as bad as your spelling.

[South FLA]

As far as table fair goes, Snook are awesome if prepared correctly if not they taste like soap, hence the name "Soap Fish" given to them by old Florida crackers.  If you leave any part of the skin on you might as well throw it away or give it to your cat or dog!

As far as eating snook from fresh water canals or lakes, I'm not sure if there is a difference in taste.  I for one try not to eat anything from urban areas, due to runoff from communities and surrounding roads.  You may want to do some research on bio-accumulation or just read this PDF guide on what is safe to eat and from where in Florida.

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/floridafishadvice/fish_eating_guide_eng.pdf

Hope this helps, also if there are any misspelled words or incorrect grammar usage in the above paragraph please excuse my ignorance, but the facts still apply.  

[gar-tracker]

I have caught and eaten many of Snook, I feel its probably one of the best eating fish that swims, however, any Snook taken from freshwater taste like soap, its common knowledge that the fish caught in the ocean and ICW are much better eating then landlocked Snook.

You would think it would be the other way around but trust me on this one.

[-HAWK-]

The snook I have caught in fresh water ponds TASTES a whole lot better than the salty mud flavor the salt water has.And yes I have eaten all of the above ways to catch SNOOK.Marinas,Canals,Creeks,and even the BEACHES.Buy for the best tasting, white fluffy, tender piece of meat.Not fishy.I would like to know why some people are afraid of fresh water snook.They move in for what ever reason, spawning, cold weather will push them into the shallows for warmth.What ever, it is a somewhat cleaner ecosystem, forage,and no predators, except man.That's me,Leave them there and I be more than happy to catch-em up.Take your fish and then splitting the center for a pocket, then take your rib meat, picking the bones out making a tuna like salad spread into pocket and bake, until done.Also try taking your meat boiling it making the tune like spread,what ever spices, and rizs crackers and chatter cheese or creamchees with chives my favorit.I will not eat anouther salt water snook givin or caught.

That had me LOL.

[0119]

Ive found no difference in taste between snook caught in fresh or salt myself.  FWC and scientists say they cant or dont reproduce in fresh but Ive found baby snook in water far far from salt with no possible connection.   I find their notion of eggs carries on fish feet too far fetched to believe.

[Lobster Monster]

Thanks for the input! I've had snook one other time and to be honest, I wasn't too impressed. My brother told me he tried it breaded and deep fried and said it was really good so I was hoping to give it another try. Either way it didn't happen for me today. We did catch a bunch of peacock bass which was fun!

I challenge you to find anything on earth that doesn't taste better breaded and deep fried.

[LCpointerKILLA]

wow that was a good read. I had this exact question when i was in stuart florida a while back