Snook fishing in Florida: seasons, baits and charters
Inshore snook fishing charters from Stuart to Tampa Bay and the Everglades, with local captains.
Snook are Florida’s favorite inshore fish: hard-pulling, acrobatic and found around mangroves, inlets, bridges and beaches. Here’s when and how to catch them, and where to book a snook trip.
When is snook season in Florida?
Snook can be caught and released year-round in Florida. Harvest is only allowed in open seasons, inside the slot limit and with a snook permit, and FWC sets those rules by region, so always check the current FWC snook rules first. The best snook fishing runs from spring through fall, with big summer spawning fish around inlets, passes and beaches.
Centropomus undecimalisMeet the snook
Also called: Common snook, linesider, robalo
- Typical size
- 24–34 in and 5–15 lb; trophies over 40 in
- World record
- 53 lb 10 oz (IGFA all-tackle, Costa Rica, 1978)
- Where it lives
- Mangroves, inlets, bridges, docks, beaches and rivers in central and south Florida
- How to spot it
- Silver-gold body, bold black lateral line, sloping head and jutting lower jaw
- What it eats
- Pilchards, pinfish, mullet, shrimp and crabs
- Can you keep it?
- Only in open season, inside the slot limit and with a snook permit; rules vary by region (FWC rules)
Snook are sensitive to cold. During cold snaps they crowd into rivers and canals, and should be left alone.
Where to find snook by season
Snook move with water temperature:
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Flats, mangroves, bridges | Inlets, passes, beaches | Creeks, canals, flats | Rivers, canals, deep backwaters |
| Why | Warming water, bait arrives | Spawning | Following mullet run | Seeking warm water |
| Best baits | Pilchards, shrimp | Live pilchards, pinfish | Mullet, topwater plugs | Shrimp, slow jigs |
| Notes | Great sight fishing | Big fish, release with care | Fast action | Cold snaps: let them be |
Snook fishing charters
Inshore trips where snook are a main target:
How to catch snook
From the old iOutdoors snook guide, updated:
About the common snook
The Snook you catch in Florida is the Common Snook. They tolerate fresh water and even live in a freshwater ecosystem around Miami. Snook migrate between rivers, inlets and beaches through the year.
Seasons and rules
Snook is a seasonal treat: harvest seasons, slot limits and permits are set by FWC and vary by region. Catch and release is allowed all year.
Best lures
Proven snook lures include the Heddon Super Spook Jr, the D.O.A. Baitbuster Shallow Runner and Terroreyz, the Rapala X-Rap, the Bomber Magnum Long-A and the Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Twitchbait. Fly fishing for snook is popular on the flats and beaches.
Where in Florida
Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World, has snook on both coasts: try Jupiter, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa, the FL Keys and the Everglades at Chokoloskee. Great beaches by day and hard fights by night make it a perfect trip.
Your first snook trip
Read about a first fishing trip for Snook. Snook are one of the toughest inshore fish to catch: they hit hard and run for structure, so keep steady pressure.
Snook beyond Florida
Central America has huge snook: the all-tackle record by Gilbert Ponzi came from Costa Rica (Visit Costa Rica). Caribbean islands have snook too: Discover Puerto Rico and Visit Cuba.
Best places to go snook fishing in Florida
Pick a town (lowest inshore trip price on its page, or call to book):
Treasure Coast & Palm Beaches
Keys & Everglades
Fish you catch on a snook trip
Snook share the water with these inshore favorites:
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Snook fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Rivers and canals
- Slow, careful releases in cold snaps
- Shrimp on light jigs
Spring Mar–May
- Flats and mangroves heat up
- Pilchards arrive
- Topwater at dawn
Summer Jun–Aug
- Spawning fish at inlets and beaches
- Night fishing at bridges
- Release big females gently
Fall Sep–Nov
- Mullet run
- Creek mouths
- Some of the best fishing of the year
What guests say about our snook trips
5.06 reviews
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
Go fish with Cat. Nick Pasquarello!
My buddy Mike and I wanted a chance to catch a trophy largemouth as well as our first peacock bass. Capt. Nick wasted no time in putting us on both. We had a great time, caught lots of fish and enjoyed Cat. Nick's company. On my next visit, I will use Capt. Nick Pasquarello again!
FarAway58566891706 · May 2019
Go fish with Cat. Nick Pasquarello!
My buddy Mike and I wanted a chance to catch a trophy largemouth as well as our first peacock bass. Capt. Nick wasted no time in putting us on both. We had a great time, caught lots of fish, and enjoyed Cat. Nick's company. On my next visit, I will use Capt. Nick Pasquarello again!
FarAway58 · May 2019
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Book a snook fishing charter
Pick a town and date, or let us match you with a snook captain.
Not sure where the snook are biting? Call or text and we’ll help.
Saltwater license covered by the captain on saltwater trips. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Snook fishing FAQ
When is snook season in Florida?
You can catch and release snook all year. Harvest seasons, slot limits and closures are set by FWC by region and have changed in recent years, so check the current FWC snook rules before you keep a fish. The best fishing is spring through fall; summer is spawning season around inlets and beaches.
What is a snook?
The common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a silver inshore game fish with a black lateral line, nicknamed “linesider”. Snook live in warm water around mangroves, inlets, bridges, docks and beaches, and they are famous for hard runs and jumps.
Where is the best snook fishing in Florida?
Stuart, Jupiter and the Treasure Coast inlets, Tampa Bay, Boca Grande, Naples and the Everglades backcountry at Chokoloskee and Flamingo. Snook are a tropical fish, so the best fishing is in central and south Florida.
What is the best bait for snook?
Live pilchards (scaled sardines), pinfish, mullet, shrimp and crabs. Topwater plugs, twitchbaits, swimbaits and flies also work, especially at dawn, dusk and at night around lights.
Can you eat snook?
Yes, snook are excellent to eat, but you may only keep them in open season, within the slot limit and with a snook permit. Many anglers release every snook. Check FWC rules before harvesting.
What is the world record snook?
The IGFA all-tackle record common snook weighed 53 lb 10 oz and was caught by Gilbert Ponzi in Costa Rica in 1978.
How much is a snook fishing charter?
Snook trips are inshore charters. On iOutdoors, inshore trips that catch snook start from $500 in Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach and $550 in Stuart and Fort Pierce, priced per boat. Some towns are booked by phone at (407) 392-4593.