Three years ago in 2012 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created a drastic yet beneficial measure that guaranteed the robust population of Centropomus undecimalis, colloquially known as Snook, off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The Commission closed the entire gulf to any form of Snook fishing activity in order to allow the species to grow. This was in response to the severe cold front that adversely affected the Snook population in January of 2010. While the ruling was in effect game fishing was allowed but only on the premise of a catch-and-release scheme. Two years ago in 2013, the Commission has declared that the Snook population has steadily risen. This gave rise to the opening of the Snook harvest for recreational purposes every 1st of September.
The question many would like to ask, especially those who have never been to fishing, is what is Snook and why is it so important that a State Commission had to issue a decree to protect it?
Understanding Snook
Some call it the sergeant fish while others call it robalo, ravilla, or even lineside. However, native Floridians simply call it the Snook. The Snook is a common marine animal that thrives in the warm waters of the western Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, although there have also been reports of Snook in the warmer parts of the Pacific ocean on the other side of the continent.
You will never go wrong identifying a Snook. Its very distinct body shape with a tapered head and an underslung lower jaw helps to identify it if you miss the very prominent black stripe that runs the entire length of the side of its body.
Snook is one of the most edible game fishes in the Americas. Some Snook that have been caught overseas have a ready market in the United States. However, care must be taken to remove its skin prior to cooking lest you want the taste of soap on your dish. Nonetheless, the highly edible meat of the Snook has made it a prized commercial fish.
Snook are well attuned to changes in their natural habitat. Any change in the salinity and temperature of their water habitat can already signal them to spawn. Generally, the spawning season for Snook occurs in the months of April through October, often peaking in July and August. Snook spawn in areas that are shallow and have a high saline content. Right after spawning, the young Snook travel all the way inland and into the briny waters of estuaries. Here, the young Snook eventually grow and mature before they join the spawning population in the higher salinity and warmer waters of the open seas. Here they can grow up to 1.4 meters and weigh up to 20 kilograms. On the average however, a good Snook caught in recreational fishing is usually around half a meter in length.
Getting Used to Snook Behavior
Snook are largely dependent on the estuarine ecosystem. As such, many of the young Snook are often found in island networks, creeks, and ponds in the coastal wetlands. While Snook are largely believed to be dependent on water that has high salinity, the young Snook do display a pattern of plasticity that allows it to survive even in portions of the estuarine ecosystem that has a relatively lower concentration of dissolved salts. Experts believe that this adaptability can be attributed to the Snook’s ability to utilize osmoregulation. However, this osmoregulatory adaptability somehow gets lost in the process of maturation. Fully mature Snook are largely dependent on the higher saline levels of the open seas. This somehow tunes them to start on their voyage back into the open seas.
Another peculiar behavior of Snook is that they are known to be opportunistic predators. There have been instances when larger and more mature Snook would prey on the younger and smaller ones. This inter-cohort cannibalism has been rarely documented except in the events of January 2010 when, because of the decrease in water temperature, the survival of the fittest was put to the test.
Talking about the 2010 cold snap, where close to 42 percent of the total Snook population were lost to the extreme weather condition, Snook are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. At 57.5 degrees Fahrenheit (14.2 degrees Celsius), Snook stops feeding. At 54.8oF or 12.7oC, Snook loses all ability to maintain equilibrium. At 54.5oF or roughly 12.5oC, death ensues. The temperature where Snook are most comfortable with are anywhere between 68oF to 78oF or 20oC to 25.5oC.
Snook are excellent fighters. Despite their size of under a meter in length, you can be in for the fight of your life if you happen to be on the other end of a fighting giant Snook. Like the other Florida marine fighters like the tarpon, Snook offer such fighting resistance that it has become almost legendary. Hooking a Snook is a feat. Hooking a Snook more than a meter long will be Herculean.
Knowing both the physical and behavioral characteristics of Snook should allow you to know when, where, and how to reel in that big fat Snook.
Preparing for Snook Fishing
Now that you already know that Snook:
• Love to stay in shallow saltwater flats particularly in mangroves, under bridges and docks, and in areas where there is inshore cover
• Love to stay in warmer waters of anywhere between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius or 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit
• Are ambush or opportunistic predators and thus love to feed on smaller fish and crustaceans, and
• Are excellent fighters
you can now go on your first ever Snook fishing journey.
Where to Fish
The Paradise Coast of Florida is just perfect for Snook fishing. With its many unique geographic features that allow for both the spawning and maturation of Snook, a day or two in the Coast will surely bring you in a good Snook.
Fishing under a bridge or the dock can significantly increase your chances of reeling in a Snook rather than out in the vastness of the Gulf of Mexico. It is also known that the fatter and bigger Snook love to stay under bridges and docks so this will be a great area to start.
Furthermore, as Snook naturally love shallow waters, you may benefit from kayak fishing. Not only will you be thrilled by the prospect of landing a big fat Snook, you will also immerse yourself in the beauty of the marine ecosystem, particularly the Ten Thousand Islands that make up a great portion of the Everglades National Park.
What to Prepare
The type of tackle and bait that you will use for Snook fishing is all a matter of personal preference. Generally, if you intend on fishing on sea inlets and passes using live bait, you might benefit more with a spin and bait casting tackle. If you prefer fishing from the docks or the bridges, a heavier gear like surf tackle might do the trick. Fly fishing for Snook will often produce results with the use of large poppers and streamers. Serious anglers would recommend mirror plugs, jerk plugs, topwater plugs, bucktail and plastic jigs, and spoons.
For bait, any small live bait will do. Small crabs, shrimps and small fishes can supplement your array of schooling baitfish like Pilchards. If you are confident about your strength and ability to reel in a large Snook, use Mullet heads or even Ladyfish heads as bait.
While there are no clear-cut rules on what gear will work best, most Snook fishing experts would recommend going for the system that you are most confident with. So, be it drift fishing, casting, trolling, or still fishing, you will still get that chance of reeling in the big fat Snook everyone is talking about this side of the country.
Know the Legal Limits
Now, since the cold snap of 2010, Snook fishing has been largely regulated in this part of the United States. Fishing for Snook in the Paradise Coast is only possible during the months of September to November and March and April. You are also limited in what you are allowed to take home. Only Snook that are at least 28 inches but not more than 33 inches are allowed to be taken. Furthermore, you are only allowed one Snook per day. Licensed anglers in the Paradise Coast are required to secure a 2 USD permit. This is in addition to the license for saltwater fishing. Now, if you will be securing the services of a professional Snook fishing guide, you do not have to worry about these licenses anymore because they will be provided to you. Just don’t forget to ask for them.
Now that you know the very fundamentals of Snook fishing, don’t you think it is about time to get off your couch and do something great this time around?
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