Everglades National Park
Snook
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Snook are one of the most prized gamefish any where in the world. They can be found on both the East and West coast of Florida. Some of the best snook fishing is right here in the Everglades National Park and 10,000 Islands.
Here in Southwest Florida we have thousands of miles of uninhabited mangrove shorelines and shallow flats perfect for snook. We catch snook in the Everglades year round. During the cool winter months, snook can be found deep in the backcountry of the 10,000 Islands. Fishing around deep holes and creek mouths can be very productive. Jigs and plugs work well.
As the weather heats up and the water temperatures rise, snook will leave their winter holes and start heading for the coastal waters of the Everglades. This time of year, Spring, our waters are very clean. It’s a good time for fly fishing. Sight casting for snook along a shallow mangrove shoreline is one of the most exciting ways of catching one.
This is also the time when lots of bait fish start showing up. It won’t be long before big snook start eating. Live bait fishing is one of the best ways to catch snook. There are several baits that work well. Live shrimp, threadfin herring, pilchards and mullet all do the job. Cut bait like lady fish and mullet fished on the bottom will produce some big ones. Casting artificial lures along the Oyster bars and mangrove shore lines on light tackle is one of my favorite ways to catch them.
The tides will also play a huge part of whether you are successful. Understanding how the tides work is one of the biggest keys to catching snook or any saltwater game fish.
We must all remember to treat this fish with care. The less you handle them, the better off they will be. Here on the West Coast our laws allow one fish kept per day between 28 to 33 inches in length, pinched tail. To fish for snook in Florida, you are required to have saltwater fishing license, with a snook endorsement stamp (if you fish with me, I supply the saltwater fishing license – none is required).
I have to admit Snook is my most favorite fish of all to catch. Make it one of yours. Snook season is open from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, closed Jan. & Feb. and opens again March 1st to May 1st.
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239-695-2286
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