GREAT FLORIDA FISHING: SNOOK FISHING

Great Florida Fishing: Your Ultimate Guide to Snook Fishing

 

Snook fishing in Florida is a thrilling experience that appeals to anglers worldwide. Florida's waters are teeming with various subspecies of snook, including the common snook, tarpon snook, fat snook, and swordspine snook. These sleek and powerful fish are known for their epic eats, relentless fights, aerial acrobatics, and ambush expertise, making them a highly prized catch​​.

Notable Locations for Snook Fishing in Florida:

Gulf Coast: Larger snook are typically found along Florida's Gulf Coast, with areas like Tampa Bay, Fort Myers, and Naples offering ideal conditions for trophy snook. These regions are especially productive from March through November​​.

 

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Atlantic Coast: The shores of the Atlantic side of Florida, including Islamorada, Key Biscayne, Stuart, and Jupiter, provide some of the best snook fishing spots. The Atlantic coast is particularly good for snook fishing from early spring into the summer​​​.

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Florida Keys: The backcountry of the Florida Keys, with its abundant tree structures and mangrove shorelines, is a haven for snook. They are best targeted here from March through September​.

Islamorada: Known as “The Sportfishing Capital of the World,” Islamorada in the Florida Keys offers excellent opportunities for snook fishing, especially near Everglades National Park​.

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Best Seasons for Snook Fishing:

Spring and Summer: Snook feed heavily during these seasons, particularly between May and September. This period is when larger snook move towards estuaries, inlets, and bays to feed on baitfish​​.

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Year-Round Fishing: While snook can be found throughout the year in Florida, the warmer months generally yield larger catches and greater success​​.

Based on the information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), here's a yearly calendar for Snook fishing in Florida, with regions, closed seasons, slot limits, and bag limits:

Panhandle Region:

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Big Bend Region:

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Tampa Bay Region:

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Sarasota Bay Region:

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Charlotte Harbor Region:

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30

Slot Limit: 28” to 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Southwest Region:

Closed Season: December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30

Slot Limit: 28” to 33” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Southeast Region:

Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 32” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Indian River Lagoon Region:

Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 32” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

Northeast Region:

Closed Season: December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31

Slot Limit: 28” to 32” total length

Bag Limit: One fish per person per day

 

Please note that these regulations are subject to change, and it's important to check the FWC website for the most up-to-date information.

Fishing Techniques and Tips:

1. Light Tackle Fishing: Similar to largemouth bass fishing, light tackle fishing with lures like small baitfish is effective for snook​​.
2. Fly Fishing: Fly selection should focus on presentation, with shrimp and small baitfish imitations being the most common. Weighted flies work well near cuts and deeper channels​​.
3. Bait Fishing: Shrimp, finger mullet, pinfish, and white baits such as sardines and pilchards are popular baits. Techniques like using a popping cork or float rig can help control bait presentation​​.
4. Night Fishing: Many anglers find success with night fishing, using dock fishing techniques and imitations of baitfish or live bait​​.
5. Understanding Snook Behavior: Snook often feed near the surface and are most active during a moving tide. They seek cover when feeding, so fishing near docks, mangroves, and underwater structures is crucial​​.

Regulatory Considerations:

While catch-and-release is common, snook can be kept if they are between 28 and 32 inches in length. The recreational harvest season begins on September 1st, with different regulations for the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts​​.

In conclusion, snook fishing in Florida offers an exhilarating and rewarding experience for anglers. With the right location, season, techniques, and adherence to regulations, an unforgettable fishing adventure awaits in the Sunshine State.