If you are new to fishing for Florida’s most sought after inshore species, the snook, here’s how to get started.

First off, if you are a northern bass fisherman used to throwing lures then snook fishing will be right up your alley. After all, a snook is a superbass on steroids, can weigh more than 50 pounds, it even comes with a black racing stripe down its side and is delicious on the plate.

Why fish for bass?

All snook start life as males, then many change to females later in life. The FWC lists five species of snook present in Florida. You won’t find them much past the northern border of Florida as they need warmth. Typically, they will start to die off when the water gets into the low 60s.

If you see your neighbor installing lights on his dock and they are only a foot or two above the water, chances are he probably is not impaired, but simply adding “snook lights” to his dock. These lights draw the various life forms that draw the baitfish and shrimp that Mr. Snook will feed on.



Snook hit most baits



If you happen upon a lighted dock at night, watch the snook milling around the light — the little guys close to the light and the big girls down and farther back in the shadows.

Usually, when they are all randomly fining around they are not as prone to feeding as when you see them bunched up and facing into the current. Make your casts off to the side a bit, not directly into the bright cone of light.

Snook will hit live and dead baits, lures and flies. As far as bait, shrimp and live or dead fish work great.

For a trophy, fish a live 15-inch ladyfish around a bridge or dock at night with heavy line. A jumbo handpicked shrimp impaled on a hook swept along by the tide into or near structure, is bound to get attention.

A snook likes all types of lures and flies. A topwater lure, such as the Zara Spook, is a classic topwater snook favorite. Most swimming plugs, like the new X-Rap series by Rapala, are always a winner as well as the various Mir-O-lure models.

Actually, most of your bass lures will work, just add some beefier split rings and go up a size or two in hook size and they are ready for saltwater duty.

Inshore, never count out the gold spoon and the plastic shrimp, such as the old standby, the D.O.A.

During this time of year many nice snook are caught by simply walking the beach and casting into the surf. Actually walking out into the water and casting parallel to the beach, not way out into the Gulf, is the ticket since snook patrol the very edges of the surf zone.



Walk surf and cast



Also, if you are in the water you are less likely to be seen than on the beach. A good lure choice is a plain white bucktail jig using a fluorocarbon leader as it’s usually gin clear water and the fish can sometimes be line shy. If casting from a boat, cast all the way up on the beach and hop the jig back into the water. Usually it will get hit within the first 5 to 10 feet of the retrieve.

Walking along the surf and casting is a very relaxing and pleasant experience. Fly fisherman can get a great shot at a good snook as well, and just think of the gas you’re saving.

Any of our islands facing the Gulf of Mexico will hold fish for the next several months while they spawn and are accessible to beach fishermen before they make their return to the warmer winter backwaters.

PLEASE, handle and release with care. The season is closed for spawning.

Be safe and courteous on the water.



Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. Contact him at captgeorget3@aol.com, or (239) 282-9434.