In Jetties and Piers
These man-made structures are perfect for snooks since they provide cover, not just for the
snooks, but for those which they eat too. The shade is their overhead protection too.
Tip: Cast parallel to the structure. This is the best chance to lure them out. You could also cast
as far under the piers, letting the fly work close to the pilings. Parts of the water which lie in
shadows are where most of the snooks are. You could also try to turn the fish’s head the force
it out into open water, where it’s easier to catch them.
In Deep Passes
It is difficult fishing in these areas mainly because of the depth. What you could do is to spot
surface fish first, targeting nervous water or those battered baitfish.
What I do is float the line first. You could get lucky. But most of the time, there is no surface
action. In this case, switch to a full sink line (intermediate ones work too) with a weighted
streamer so you could go deep. The snooks may be in the water column and they will hit as
soon as the fly surfaces.
The drop offs and margins are also very effective, specifically those where the bottom
transitions to grassy shoals from sandy depths. Areas where you find rip raps or any of those
structures for erosion control also provide amazing results. The Redfish Pass located in between
Captiva and North Captiva Islands of Southwest Florida is boulder-lined, a great example of this.
Snooks lurk in every rocky niche there.
IN-SHORE WATERS
Mangrove Shorelines
Most snook fishermen choose to do this. While some of the fish may be seen on shallow parts
and sandy pockets, anglers are often on a boat, blindly casting near the roots of the trees.
1) If you also go for this, make sure that you learn how the water runs and where the fish
could be. Often, they’re under branches, in dark pockets, tidal cuts and shoreline indentations.
2) ‘Flies prospecting’ has always been effective but you might have to cast often between fish.
3) Do remember that mangrove shorelines are often shallow so that technique is not very
effective during low tides. It’s also hard during high tides when the forests are terribly flooded.
The best time, therefore, would be three hours before and after the tide comes.
4) You don’t want to spook the fish so it’s best to distance your boat from the shoreline and
cast as close to the roots.
5) If you don’t cast close enough, you aren’t getting hung up. The trouble there is that the fly
could catch on branches and leaves. If it does, be gentle in taking it off.
6) Trolling motors work better in shorelines but push poles are stealthier – a must-have for
snook fishing.
7) The sounds of feeding fish are distinct. Snooks make that ‘plock’ sound, somewhere in
between a pop and a smack. If you hear that, you can be sure it’s not a sea trout, a mangrove
snapper or a ladyfish, among others.
Patience is a virtue, especially in mangrove shorelines. Take your time and don’t move around
too much. Thinking that there’s a bigger fish in another area and going there would actually
lessen your chances of catching one.
Grass Flats
Snooks, just like trouts and redfish, love this area because of the baitfish and other crustaceans.
The technique used here is sight fishing so check for nervous water. In fact, you might even see
the fish’s exposed tails as they ‘dive’ down to eat.
1) Easily spooked snooks are hard to see in the grass, even if the water is shallow. So if you’re
fishing from a boat, be thirty or so yards away and make long casts.
2) Trolling motors, even those which create the most minimal noise, will still be heard by
these suspicious snooks. So don’t use it.
3) If you are considering wading, move carefully. Avoid stepping on shells or too much
splashing.
It’s also important to note that they cruise in and out of the flats with the tide, just like redfish.
So watch out for the lower end of the tide and look for those sandy potholes. They’re most
probably there. On fast-falling tides, go to channels with deeper waters.
Oyster Bars
Because these have existed for decades, the structural mass created are just so huge and
impressive and, naturally, has become the home of various crustaceans such as shrimps and
crabs and other baitfish. It also follows that game fish and birds of prey hang about oyster bars
as well.
1) Often, these are surrounded by deeper water – quite similar to the moats of castles. And
you can be assured that the snooks are right there, swimming around the heap of shells. If you
find deep pockets, the fish is probably there too, just waiting for a baitfish to dart out from their
hiding place.
2) If you’re checking out the flats, just look for nervous water. You might want to watch the
wading birds in the area too since they know exactly where to wait for these snooks and other
fish.
3) Be careful when you are casting in oyster bars because the shells are really sharp and could
slice through the leader very quickly. Aside from that, you will be scaring the fish away with all
that commotion.
Interestingly, these oyster bars could become mangrove keys. Check out areas which are
shaded because the snook are there too.
Bays and Bayous
Unknown to most, these are actually salt ponds and lakes and often bordered by mangrove-
filled shorelines. Take note that not all bays and bayous are the same. Various factors including
water flow and bait populations vary widely.
1) Some bays and bayous are landlocked. Others have smaller channels and inlets. Take note
of the wind as well as the direction of the tide when you are fishing. Snooks move depending
on those factors, too.
2) Most anglers would hang about the mangrove shorelines but it would be a great idea if you
check out holes and different channels.
3) Here, snooks aren’t found in the deeper parts but in the drop-offs since that’s where the
water depth changes even in just a short distance.
Creeks and Cuts
Moving tides are the most productive snook fishing areas although it would be best to go on
steep falling tides because this is when shrimp and other baitfish are seen in the estuaries.
1) The strategies for trout fishing in streams can be used for snook fishing in creeks and cuts.
Cast across the current then strip the fly back against it.
2) When doing retrieves, make it slow and easy. In fact, you might want to delay or
completely stop the retrieve. The current will give enough action to the fly.
3) Mimic the baitfish when it scoots forwards and falls back against the flow of water by
twitching the rod now and again.
4) Non weighted streamers will ride too high when you do slow retrieves. If this happens, use
a weighted on or a sinking line.
5) Culvert cuts are amazingly productive because schools of baitfish are there too. Generally
speaking, draining larger bodies of water are more productive particularly on outgoing tides
since they concentrate into one strong flow.
Large rivers
These marine ecosystems are so extensive because the habitat is determined by the freshwater
flowing out of it and the tidal saltwater which mixes with it. Aside from that, it has numerous
sub-environs such as grass flats, mangrove shorelines, bays and creeks, among so many others.
Southwest Florida’s Caloosahatchee and East Central Florida’s Indian River are some of the
examples of productive snook fishing spots.
1) The quality of fisheries in large rivers is affected by various factors such as seasonal climate.
Spring and fall, particularly in the mouths of these rivers, are the best spots for snook fishing.
2) Check out rich interflow (fresh water and salt water) zones too since these are amazingly
rich in baitfish.
You can clearly see the demarcation of this interflow during high river flows. The boundary has
a narrows strip of foam and weeds. That band is where the snooks are.
3) The best time for fishing is during a strong incoming tide from the sea. Baitfish and other
crustaceans are usually trapped in between these two opposing water flow since they can’t
swim out. But snooks can so that’s where anglers go to.
4) Rips are also remarkable snook sites. These are where the water surges from deep channels
over shoals. Again, this is because baitfish tends to get trapped in the current.
5) If you want to try some night fishing, you might want to check out the various bridges in
the area. They concentrate in lit spots. At daytime, they are closer to the pilings or any shaded
spots.
You could do more research about these spots if you want to succeed in your snook fishing
expedition. Tide charts, for instance, can aid you pinpoint the actual times when the tides come
and go. Reconnoitering would help too.
Canals and Ditches
These forms of water are pretty much like rivers. The only difference is that they are smaller
and, at worst, more sterile. However, these are pretty reliable for snook fishing during winter.
The canal on the Tamiami trail is one of the most favorite spot for ditch and canal snook fishing.
This complex drainage system from Naples to the Turner River Canal has so much to offer. You
would see a lot of anglers here during the right season.
1) At times, the water is clear in these ditches and you will see the snooks cruising along the
edge or near the docks. If the water is discolored, this fish would be waiting for baitfish on the
surface.
2) The best time for snook fishing is when the tide is moving – something you’d do in cuts and
creeks. Don’t fish in slack water. That’s a complete waste of your time.
3) The junctions in these canals are the best snook spots. Others include the following:
outflows of gullies, shallow streams draining into mangroves and bridges. You could get lucky
even with the smallest trickles.
You’re in gator country. We don’t need to remind you how important it is to be very careful
when you’re fishing in canals and ditches. But it’s not just alligators which could maul you
down. Grizzly bears, mountain lions, and even sharks abound in these areas, especially when
you’re in the Everglades. So how do you proceed with caution? Read on:
Car cruising is pretty effective. Drive slowly along these ditches while watching for snooks
busting their baits. Try bringing a truck. Have one drive while the rest is at the back of the truck,
casting their flies from there, stopping only when needed.
Freshwater Ponds and Lakes
Snooks, just like the well-known saltwater striped bass, can adapt to freshwater. You might be
surprised but they have been found in golf courses, sweet water bayous, and even large lakes.
Lake Okeechobee, the largest body of freshwater in Florida, is one snook spot. They require
strong tidal flows and high saline levels to spawn successfully so you won’t find snooks
reproducing in any fresh body of water. But if they have been introduced properly, they can
survive there for long. Lucky you, fresh water angler!
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