SNOOK FISHING
Common Snook Fishing:
The Common Snook is perhaps the most sought-after inshore game fish in the world. Its distinct dark lateral line and aggressive strikes provide anglers with a thrill like no other. Snook can be caught, fought, and found in several destinations across the globe. Every year anglers travel to these destinations in search of the infamous gray and silver inshore predator for its power and delicious table fare.
SNOOK ORIGINS
The Snook most likely originated in Central America and traveled to several destinations including Florida and the Caribbean Islands including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola. Each destination holds a different caliber of Snook and a unique experience to catch them. Over the years, warming trends and changes in the earth’s climate allowed for the migration of Snook to these locations. As a result, Florida has become one of the top destinations to catch the Common Snook in destinations including Chokoloskee National Park, Jupiter, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa and the FL Keys just to name a few.
SNOOK HABITATS
One of the most exciting parts about Snook fishing is the hunt. Snook are incredibly smart and elusive. A keen eye, knowledge, and experience will lead you to be able to pinpoint key structures and locations where Snook will be feeding. General habitats include mangrove lines, grass flats, passes, inlets, bridges, and along beaches. Each of these areas will hold Snook depending on the time of year and temperature of the water.
SNOOK GROWTH (SIZE) & DANGERS
Snook can be a dangerous fish to catch but fight and taste outweigh the danger. They do not have teeth so you can lip them like a freshwater bass. The danger comes from its razor-sharp gill plate. Be careful when handling! It has a tapered head with a under-slung lower jaw and several large fins. This body structure allows for explosive runs and on occasion large airborne jumps. Most Snook are going to range from 3 to 15 pounds. You can still commonly catch Snook weighing 20-30 pounds. A Snook Fishing adventure is only complete when you land a fish of that size. Costa Rica holds the WORLD RECORD Snook weighing in at 53 pounds 10 ounces. The Florida record is 44 pounds 3 ounces.
COMMON SNOOK SPAWN
Snook are an incredible species to experience catching. FWC has limited times that you can harvest Snook and for great reasons. They want to protect the species during their spawning months. Snook spawn between the months of May thru September. When the water is the warmest, the Snook will reach the peak of their spawn. These months include July and August, especially in the state of Florida.