FISH OF THE DAY SNOOK

Fish of the Day SNOOK!

The snook is shy and inhabit Florida, and many parts of central America as well, most well know are the common snook, small-scale fat snook, large-scale fat snook, swordspine snook, and tarpon snook, all this species range from central Florida all the way to the keys and are even though not abundant as they once were in the 10,000 Islands. The common snook, was once designated as a species of special concern in Florida. Among other causes, good management and conservation measures have led to removal of this designation. Snook are also known as Robalo, Linesiders, and sergeant fish and old school name of "Soapfish" because when some sections of the of the "soapy" tasting skin were left on the fillets when not cleaned well.

Snook can tolerate a wide range of salinity and may be found in fresh water. However, they are extremely sensitive to temperature and a strong, fast moving cold front through an area containing snook may claim many lives due to the rapid drop in water temperature. Snook are protandric hermaphrodites and change sex from male to female. The actual cause of the change is not known. Snook are known as "ambush feeders" meaning that they'll surprise attack their prey as it swims or moves into range. This occurs especially at the mouths of inlets where currents play a role while the snook waits in hiding behind bridge pilings, rocks, or other submerged structures like boat docks in channels. Besides preying on small fish, snook also feed on shrimp, crabs, and mollusks, Snook are very popular with recreational anglers due to their strong fighting spirit and mild, delicate flavor.

In the US snook permits are required when saltwater license is required, it is illegal to buy or sell snook on the public market. In Florida, snook are carefully managed because of the high fishing pressure they receive from recreational anglers.

Snook are in most cases very sensitive to the tidal movement and the best tide is the made to high tide as they follow the tide and the bait schools inshore from the tidal structure they will hold on at high tide. Live bait is always an option at the entrances to creeks and tidal feed creeks and also sand bars leading into the tidal areas can be very productive. Snook like moving water and usually hand out in packs, we like to call they Snook schools Wolf Packs.

Light tackle Snook usually consist of a Medium, Heavy Fast action 10-20lb Class Rod at minimum, we like the Cajun Custom Rods Hella Bomb 8ft rod that retails for 199.97. This rod is built on a North Fork Composite and Titanium Guides by Kigan that a Zero Tangle and is rated 10-25 and supreme power strength. if you are fishing heavy pilings up to a 20-40lb rod and we like the 20-40lb Catcher Boat Rod 7'0" and built to handle this fishing.

Snook are very line sensitive some time so a good 20-30lb Fluorocarbon leader is recommended we like AFW and Hi Seas line, as a combination.

A snook Tackle box should consisted of Leader Material, several live bait rigs, weight from 1/4oz- 2 oz., Hooks in the 2/0- 4/0 range inshore on bridges go up to a beefier hook in the 6/0-7/0 ,buck tail jigs in white, blue, red,green and chartreuse or combinations that work ( What are they eating). Swim baits in the 4-6 inch range that should match the size of the bait in the area. This is particularly effective when fishing around dock areas. Spoons in gold and silver Johnson and or Neimire Spoons both work well. The Snook is a vicious and aggressive top water feeder and Zara spooks, bomber top water, and popping type baits that are blue, silver, green, chartreuse, gold and black and or a combination of these colors. Wahootackleandfishing has a great assortment of lures for snook and when you hook into a linesider you will want to yell Wahoo.

 

If you are fishing where the Snook weights can reach or exceed 30lbs the tackle will need to be upgraded in both rod and line weight to handle this size.

Finally the Reels we like at Wahootackleandfishing.com for snook would be a minimum of a 3000 but likely a 4000-5000 size reel in a spinning model, or a round reel or winch in with the ability to hold at a minimum of 180 yards of 20lb test. Calcutta, Shimano, Abu Garcia, and Daiwa all have reels that meet the demands of snook fishing. If you are interested in an old secret bridge fishing technique that works great for Snook in South Florida send us a email at info@wahootackleandfishing and we will send you that information.

STATE RECORDS FOR COMMON SNOOK
Conventional Tackle	44 lb, 3 oz, Ft. Myers: Robert De Cosmo, 4/25/1984
Fly Fishing Tackle	30 lb, 4 oz, Chokoloskee: Rex Garrett, 4/23/1993

Great Recipe

Ingredients

2 Snook fillets

Blackening spice (Yanovich prefers the Paul Prudhomme version. It's available at most local grocery stores)

Oil, either vegetable or olive

Preparation

Sprinkle blackening spice on fillet and press it lightly into the fillet.

Heat a cast iron skillet on high and wait until the skillet is very hot.

Poor a half-cup of oil in the skillet and add the fillets.

Cook for about three minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fillet, or until the seasoning develops into a crust.

Finish in the oven, at 350 or 400 degrees, if the seasoning is close to burning but the fish isn't fully cooked.

 

Recipe supplies by  Sarah Yanovich, the Fish House Restaurant, Bonita Springs Florida!