Snook are probably the most sought after species on light tackle. We are extremely fortunate to have one of the most incredible snook habitats right here on the West Coast of Florida. 

Snook are temperature sensitive relying on the temperatures of the water to heat their bodies. Snook are most active when the water is between 68 & 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything outside of that range leaves them sluggish and inactive. Anything below 60 degrees is dangerous and life threatening for them. In the winter months the snook’s metabolism slows down considerably. A slight change in their environment can have a strong impact. You can find snook in rivers, residential canals, deep creeks, ship ports, & fresh water run-offs. These man made holes keep their bodies warm.

The most successful time of year to catch snook is between March and June. Deeper water adjacent to the flats is usually where food is the most abundant. Scaled sardines “aka” white bait is by far the bait of choice, it’s not only a great source of protein for snook, but it furnishes an oil that saturates the developing eggs of the females giving the eggs greater buoyancy to drift safely out to deeper water after fertilization.

Snook aren’t like other species in that they don’t usually chase their prey, more often, they’ll lay in wait during a strong flow of current under any protected structure, waiting for their best chance to ambush the bait fish that quickly passes by. When they strike it’s with a vengeance, keeping an eye on your line is imperative, as these fish move fast. These drag screamers generally head for the closest cover as fast as they can in order to break free of your line; often jumping more than once, shaking their heads trying to use their razor sharp gill plates as a way of releasing themselves.

Spawning season for snook begins in late May with the peak spawn being in July and August. During this time these fish can be very temperamental. They look for areas of high salinity during this time. The juvenile snook will migrate to brackish water and after maturity return to higher-salinity. Other live baits of choice include pinfish, grunts, finger mullet, threadfins, and ladyfish. Catching snook on artificials can be extremely productive.  Jigs and crank baits are my usual go too when targeting snook on artificials.