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How to Fish for Snook

How to Fish for Snook
Landing a snook to a saltwater angler is like catching a largemouth bass to a freshwater angler. As well as being great sport to catch, snook are also good to eat. They are found from South Carolina south around the entire coast of Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico. Snook are powerful fish, reaching 48 inches in length and weighing 50 pounds. All snook are silver with a black lateral stripe running from their gills to the tail. Once you know what a snook prefers, catching one won't be as hard as you thought.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Fishing license
  • Measuring tape
  • 10- to 12-pound test
  • Barrel weight
  • Split shot
  • Hook
  • Shrimp
  • Finger mullet
  • Pinfish
  • Red-tailed hawk jig
  • Mirrolure
Step 1
Check the state regulations on catching snook in your area before you go fishing for one. Most states have size limits and have certain months anglers can keep their catch. Be sure to bring a measuring device with you when you go fishing for them. Keeping an under- or oversized fish can cause you to be fined.
Step 2
Rig a spinning rod with 10- to 12-pound test. You can use a heavier line if you prefer, but using lighter tackle will make the fight much more fun and interesting.
Step 3
Weight you line with either a barrel weight or piece of split shot. Use a barrel weight or split shot that is heavy enough for your line to sink to the bottom. Snook will lurk on the bottom waiting for their meal to come to them, so getting your line to sink is imperative. It is best to fish deep when fishing for snook.
Step 4
Rig your line with a size 1/0 or 2/0 hook if you are using live shrimp as bait. This will be large enough to hold your bait and hook the snook.
Step 5
Rig your line with a hook that is a bit larger if you are using bait such as finger mullet or pinfish. The larger size hook is required to hold the larger bait and fish.
Step 6
Use a lure such as a red-tailed hawk jig or a mirrolure if you're using artificial bait instead of live. Check with local anglers in the area to see with which type of artificial lures they are having luck.
Step 7
Fish for snook an hour before high tide through the first several hours after the tide has begun to fall. The summer months are usually when snook excursions are most productive.
Step 8
Search for snook around structures such as inlets and piers. They will also be found hanging in the deep waters around boulders, rocks, and depressions in the sand.

Tips & Warnings

 
Take care when handling snook because their gills are sharp.
 
Snook taste better if cooked without the skin.
 
Heavier test lines such as 25 and above will have a tendency to be pushed around with the current and won't stay fixed on the bottom where the snook are waiting for their next meal.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

Write for Trails.com

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