Member Article Snook Fishing Discussion On How To Find And Catch Snook

Good info Gator.

 

Do they hold under the docks, or in the light shadow.

 

Is either outgoing, or incoming preferably?
What signs on the docks or jetties indicate they might be there?
Thanks for the great information. I have caught 4 under slot snook with live shrimp, but have never targeted them.

 

To lock down the drag or not....that is the question. Curious on everyone's take on pre-setting the drag or not, on these monster fighting fish.

 

Haven't tried targeting snook yet but any tips on what artificial baits would work?

 

Snook explode on a baitfish. Trout do the same but much lighter. Comparison: Trout sound like a cap gun. Snook sounds like a bomb going off. Jacks and blue thrash the bait. These are my go-to baits for snook at the flat bridge. I like the wide gap hooks for a better hook-up. Since I've been fishing the flat bridge (5 years) I've caught 277 snook on DOA CAL shad tail in chartreuse or black and 11 on new penny Gulp shrimp while flattie fishing.

 

For live bait hooks size depend on the bait size. I like to go as small as possible. Live bait about any white bait is good. I like meds to large size baits if possible. Artificial bait are my normal go to bait for any game fish. But unlike live bait I like small to meds sizes. Soft bait hands down is the DOA cals. Hard baits is x-raps, shad rap, mirror-dine and spook jr in natural colors

Generally I find snook in area with current, structure and deeper water near by. I let live bait drift with the current into the strike zone and arties I cast up current past the fish and retrieve into the strike zone. I like to try to target snook during high water of the tides. This allow enough water to fish things like seawalls.

Bobs, Right snook have a very distinct sound when busting bait. It is not a splash and more of a pop. Leader is as light as possible and generally is 20-30lb fluorocarbon at least 2' long. Snook can be very pick and prefer a natural presentation

When dock light fishing. I will fish the out side of the light field 1st, Then under the light, then under the dock. I also approach the light with a trolling motor slooooowly from a distance. Getting my bait ready and watching as I approach.

When around structure I like a fairly tight preset drag. I prefer to lose a fish due to structure instead of a line or knot brake. If a big fish get hooked have a partner use the trolling motor to move the boat away from the structure so then you can fight it like normal in open water

Also when fishing dock lights sometimes it is best to give the fish a rest. Casting and catching can slow the bite down. Move to another light for a few or stop casting and throw a couple of live baits in to keep them eating.

Now, after typing this, I want to go snook fishing.

 

You guys are talking me into a snook stamp!
Thanks for the info!

 

This color x-rap in a smaller size is a go to lure for me. Hell I have caught so many snook on it. I have nick name it snook candy! Many types of retrieve work. But a slow steady retrieve has been the ticket for snook. Jerk and pause better for trout.

 

I'm on the fence about this, especially after my experience the other night. There are a few different schools of thought on this. One camp is the guys that feel that you have to torque them out on a locked down drag and then you loosen up a bit when they get closer. The other school of thought is that the snook's mouth is so incredibly abrasive that the more pressure you put on the fish the quicker she'll wear through the leader. I'm going to have to subscribe to the latter, but luck does play a HUGE part in whether the fish gets landed or busted off. If the line wraps the gill plates or the fish is hooked deep in the mouth, you'll get busted off more times than not regardless of what tackle you are using or how hard you fight them. Talk to any avid snooker and they've been broken off A LOT.


As far as live bait goes, bigger is better. 8"-12" mullet, big pinfish, a big red snapper-bait sized grunt, 4-6" pilchards, jumbo jumbo shrimp, big pogies that you'd use for Tarpon, a small 10-12" ladyfish...you get the picture.

As far as lures go, any serious snooker should have:

Paddle tail Jig
White bucktail jig
DOA Shrimp
Mirrolure Mirrodine
Heddon Super Spook


Areas that I generally target them during the day are under bridges, along concrete docks, seawalls, deep channel edges near oyster bars, around oyster bars with current, mangrove shorelines, downed or dead trees. At night, the lit docks and rocky shorelines will hold fish.

Tides that I do well on are strong outgoing or incoming tides early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you cannot get those conditions, fish the very highest part of the tide near mangroves or trees. Fish for them almost like you would a largemouth bass...pitching small baits into the gnarly stuff.

 

Bob, the amount of fish you catch is amazing.