Catch-and-Release Fun with Big Florida Snook

Snook of summer: Duke it out with summer linesiders, but be mindful of conservation.

August 12, 2024 By Steve Wayne

My rod doubled over and my drag screamed as I fought a fish on a popular beach in central Florida. Surf combers and sunbathers took notice and a crowd began to form. As the fish ran back and forth, onlookers guessed at the species. Shark, big catfish and giant jack crevalle were popular predictions … until a lifeguard took a break from his morning workout to inform the crowd of the schools of big snook he’d seen along the beach.

If there were any skeptics after his explanation, their doubts were quickly laid to rest when I landed a trophy linesider to the tune of “oohs” and “aahs” and the faux shutter clicking of smart phones snapping photos.

With assistance from one guy who came closer for a better look at the impressive snook, I got a quick pic of the hefty fish before reviving it and setting it free. Away it went to fight—and spawn—again another day.

snook fishing — Most linesiders will pounce on a soft-plastic jerkbait worked to mimic a floundering baitfish. (Photo by Alex Suescun)

A FISH WORTH PROTECTING

Snook, a popular fish as well liked for its tasty fillets as its dogged fighting style, ranks high on most anglers’ sought-after species lists. This is especially true in Florida, where it abounds thanks in part to its “gamefish” status (meaning it can’t be sold commercially and can only be caught with hook and line), and special protections designed to preserve the stocks.

Those protections include stringent size and bag limits, as well as two season closures annually, one of which coincides with snook’s peak spawning period in the summer. That’s when the fish congregate in groups—ranging from pods of less than a dozen to big schools of more than 100—comprising several large females and a greater number of males vying for their affection.

While regulations prohibit anglers from keeping snook during the closed seasons (the other closure occurs in winter), catch-and-release fishing is permitted. And during the summer months, when the fish are bunched up, the action can be nothing short of spectacular, and the chances of hooking a trophy go way up.

snook up close — Shallow-running crankbaits trick snook lying in ambush in channels and troughs or behind dock pilings and bridge abutments. (Photo by Steve Wayne)

EXPANDED RANGE

Although snook were historically prevalent in the southern half of the Sunshine State, the steady climb of water temperatures north of central Florida in recent years lead to the northward expansion of the fish’s range. These days, snook on the Atlantic side of the state are frequently caught as far north as Jacksonville, and on the Gulf side, the linesiders now boast strongholds all the way up to the Suwanee River. Nevertheless, they remain more plentiful and widespread from the middle of the state to the south, where it’s not uncommon to hook snook while targeting other inshore favorites like redfish and trout.

SEASONAL MOVES

Snook spend winters where water temperatures remain fairly steady and mild. These spots include up coastal rivers, in deep sections of the intracoastal waterway or in backcountry waters fed by natural springs and located near a rocky or muddy bottom that warms quickly when the sun is out. Come springtime, they start moving toward open water, and by early summer, many of the sexually mature fish take up residence in or near the various passes and inlets connecting Florida’s inshore waters with the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.

SPAWN SITES

Spawning snook love passes and inlets. Not only is salinity high, which makes released eggs more buoyant and likely to reach suitable habitats for the hatched larvae, but the fast flow in these natural and man-made funnels delivers ample forage with both the rising and falling tides. The fish need only hide behind a rock, ledge or other structure and wait for prey to come near without exerting energy chasing potential meals or fighting the brunt of the current.

Though it pays to focus on the prevalent species, a variety of live baits work in this situation. Finger mullet, pilchards, pinfish, croakers, grunts, small ladyfish and even large, handpicked shrimp prove effective. Depending on their size, live baitfish should be fished on a 3/0 to 6/0 circle hook impaled through the nose or both lips to let them swim naturally against the current. Live shrimp require a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook placed—with the point facing up—just behind the horn.

A Carolina rig with a 40- to 60-pound mono or fluorocarbon leader anchored by a 1- to 4-ounce egg sinker will keep baits down in the heavy current and survive chaffing from rocks and the rasp-like jaws of a big snook. During slack tide or the slower flow periods around each tidal change, a lighter weight (or none at all) may be needed to present live offerings to linesiders, which are more likely to chase a passing bait then.

A number of lures will fool snook in passes and inlets, especially after dark and when the water is a bit murky or stained, like during windy periods or after it rains. A large bucktail or Flair Hawk-style jig, and a 5-inch Berkley Powerbait Saltwater CullShad or 8-inch Saltwater Grub on a 1- to 1 ½-ounce jig head can all be excellent choices, particularly during the first two and last two hours of each tide.

As snook move to and from spawning areas during summer, many stage along the beaches, especially those adjacent to passes and inlets. Schools are often seen as dark masses moving slowly 50 to 200 feet from shore. Trophy snook are spied with some frequency hunting in knee-deep water, in the trough created by the surf a scant few feet from the dry sand.

If you decide to give beach fishing a try, go early in the morning before the place gets crowded. Subsurface lures, such as the Bomber Wind-Cheater saltwater jerkbait, Rapala X-Rap Subwalk and Berkley Juke Saltwater jerkbait, will produce takes on both Florida coasts. On Gulf beaches, where the bottom slopes down little, a walking topwater lure such as a Heddon Saltwater Super Spook Jr. or Berkley J-Walker cast parallel to the shoreline can produce explosive strikes on calm days.

During glass-calm conditions and when the water is very clear, walking the beach and sight-casting a live bait—free-lined or fished with a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce sinker—to any snook you spot cruising is as close as you’ll come to a sure bet.

As the surf dirties, use the same sliding-sinker rig (Carolina rig) recommended for passes and inlets, but with a lighter egg sinker to soak a fresh filet from a croaker, whiting or ladyfish on the bottom. The wave action and current will create an undulating action that draws snook to the bait and consistently triggers bites. But keep the baits close to shore, where they aren’t as likely to attract the attention of roaming sharks.

On beaches devoid of pilings and submerged rocks, fishing a lighter outfit with 20- to 30-pound braid is both effective and fun. Since you don’t require much leverage or long-distance casting ability, a 7-foot rod with a 3000- to 4000-series spinning reel or 200-size baitcaster is all you’ll need.

OTHER HOT SPOTS

Mangrove islands and rocks in outer bays, and docks and bridges in or near the intracoastal waterway are also snook magnets during summer, but they’re not all the same. Moving water, available cover and forage and proximity to the safety of deeper water are essential features to look for when scouting for likely snook hangouts. Prioritize spots away from heavy boat traffic and fishing pressure. Otherwise, fish during weekdays and off-peak hours as you’re able.

Snook will hide behind or underneath cover and dart out to capture prey that comes near. Try skipping a D.O.A. Shrimp, Savage Gear Manic or RTF Shrimp or a Berkley Powerbait Saltwater Jerk Shad underneath docks and overhanging mangroves to entice snook. Use a 30- to 50-pound fluorocarbon leader for the soft plastics and attach them with a loop knot for a more natural presentation.

During low-light conditions, surface walkers like the aforementioned Zara Spook Jr. and Berkley J-Walker worked along the edges of cover will often yield some good linesiders. Shallow-running lures like the Cotton Cordell Red Fin and Berkley Hit Stick cast alongside docks and bridge abutments can also produce great results.

A good way to beat the summer heat and catch a trophy linesider is to fish dock and bridge lights at night. Target those with bright lights close to the water and use a trolling motor to approach within casting range while keeping a safe distance to avoid spooking fish. Artificial shrimp like the D.O.A. or Savage Gear’s Manic or 3D RTF Shrimp reeled slowly with the current on the outskirts of the illuminated areas will entice many lurking snook.

Casting accuracy is essential when fishing cover, be it natural or man-made, but so is the ability to stop large fish in their tracks. Pick an outfit with the required stopping power to land a trophy snook that you can cast with precision.

school of snook — From May through September, linesiders gather in many Florida inlets and passes, as well as along the adjacent beaches. (Shutterstock image)

CATCH AND RELEASE

The fun of fishing for snook during the closed season comes with the responsibility to ensure the survival of every fish you hook. That starts with your choices of tackle and a little prep before you hit the water. Don’t use light gear that may prolong fights and cause snook to become severely exhausted. Swap treble lure for single hooks and pinch the barbs down to allow for easier releases. When fishing live bait, use circle hooks to prevent deep-hooking and reduce thechance of fish mortality. Use a landing net to keep snook from thrashing around and minimize the potential for injury. Choose a net with a rubberized mesh to preserve the fish’s slime.

If you must have a photo, keep the snook in the water until you and the photographer are ready. Then, lift the fish horizontally, with one hand gripping the tail or lower jaw (keeping fingers clear of the gills and eyes) and the other cradling the body. When you lift a fish out of the water, hold your breath. You’ll know it’s time to return your catch to the drink when you need air again.

FLORIDA SNOOK REGULATIONS

What you should know before you go.

snook chases lure — Snook deserve the chance to survive a tug of war and continue to spawn to keep populations thriving. (Shutterstock image)

The state of Florida requires a recreational fishing license and a special snook stamp to keep the one fish per person per day allowed during open seasons (for-hire captains are not allowed to keep any). However, there are no limits for catch and release, and the stamp isn’t necessary during season closures since keeping fish is prohibited.

Visit the Florida Wildlife Commission’s web site (myfwc.com) for complete snook fishing regulations, including the season closure dates and size and bag limits in all nine Florida snook management regions.