Florida Snook Fishing

Having lived in Florida my entire life, fishing had become a way of life . As a child I would wade into the waters of Tampa Bay with a bucket of live shrimp and a fisherman was born. Some time later I caught my first snook and a snook fisherman was born. Snook Fishing is considered by many to be some of the most exciting shallow water game fishing in the world. There is nothing quite like hooking into a big linesider to get your heart pounding a mile a minute. Snook fishing Florida in the inshore flats, bays and barrier islands of the Florida Gulf Coast is the best in the continental United States.

Having one of those trips led by and expert guide is and adventure of a lifetime. When our son was about to graduate high school I paid a guide $400.00 for a day on the beautiful water of the Charlotte Harbor area. It was late spring and the morning was unusually crisp and cool for Florida . Fishing in the spring is one of the greatest times of the year to fish for Snook We arrived at dawn of course and set out for a day of snook fishing we still tell stories about. All told we must have landed 40 0r 50 snook between us that day . Florida law allows one snook per person within the slot limit size of 26 to 34 inches (the slot) to be kept during the open season Most were either inside the slot or just on the outside of the slot. Florida law allows one snook per person within the slot limit size of 26 to 34 inches to be kept during the open season It didn’t matter. It was a catch and release day for the most part anyway. Snook fishing on a Florida fishing charter is as is fun and doing it once will only make you want to experience it again.

We will be providing information as to how to catch snook, where to catch them and have a story or two long the way. Fishing for Snook In Florida simply has no equal.

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When Snook fishing in Florida you will find out that is easier to fish for snook than is is to catch snook. Snook are very challenging game fish for anglers because they are unpredictable and stubborn and as temperamental as anything you have ever known. Snook turn on to feeding very quickly and when they are on there is nothing quite like it. The downside is they can turn off just as quickly. Changing baits and lures can persuade them to bite and when your out on the water, don’t be afraid to change your presentation. What was working 10 minutes before may not be now. Change up the bait and if you cant wake them, move on to another spot. It a lot more fun to do some Snook catching then it is to spend a day snook fishing. I listed a few lures and bait here to consider. Fishermen in general are protective of what they use in the way of bait and Snook fisherman are no exception. Here are some examples of snook fishing lures and saltwater fishing tackle.

·    The Shad Assassin. You can use this in both fresh and saltwater. This is the secret weapon of many anglers who want to catch snooks along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Even different fish like trout, redfish, tarpon, and flounder can be lured by this bait.
·    The Curly Shad. This looks like the Shad Assassin but it has a curl tail. This special characteristic is the reason why snooks love it.
·    The Sea Shad. This has a paddle tail and a hard body.
·    Blurp. This is a special kind of saltwater lure. It releases natural scents that fish are attracted to when it touches water. This is great under all kinds of conditions, even very severe conditions. It will release stronger scent as it stays longer underwater.
·    DOA Shrimp Lures. These are soft lures made from plastic that look like real shrimps.
·    DOA TerrorEyz Lures. These lures have holographic eyes that make them look like they are looking at or making eye contact with the snook.
·    Soft Plastic Jerkbaits. These lures imitate injured baitfish. This is best used when fishing in clear water and you can see what you’re searching for. You can also use this in deeper parts of the waters.
·    Shiners. These are very classic lures. Many anglers all over the world have successful stories to share after using Shiners. These are made from balsa or cedar and are hand-painted.
·    Live baits. Snook are meat-eaters and they eat anything—shrimp, crabs, pinfish, pigfish, croakers, finger mullet, ladyfish, herring, and sardines.

Using live bait is not very challenging. However, if you’re a beginner, you can use live lures first. When choosing the right snook fishing lures, you have to remember that snook have very powerful jaws. They might destroy lures made from balsa wood, and sometimes, even lures made from plastic.

You can buy some natural bait but you can also catch them yourself using a cast net. This has served me best when chasing linesiders.

If needed, change your lures depending on what is the most common and available baitfish in the area where you are fishing. For example, if finger mullets are the predominant baitfish in the area, then you should choose a lure that closely resembles a finger mullet. It is easier to catch a snook this way.

Some anglers are big fans topwater lures. They prefer to catch snooks using topwater plugs for hours than a sub-surface lure which can make them catch snooks without a hitch.

But what every angler needs to remember is to always stay alert. When fish are in the mood to eat, they will try to eat even your bait on the surface of the water. If this happen, they are in an aggressive mood and will feed on just about anything. This happens especially during at night. You will notice showering bait, diving birds, or ‘nervous’ water. Be very keen to those indications of an actively feeding snook.

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Fishing in Florida is could be likened to real estate . It all about location, location, location. For the Florida salt water fishing visitor that takes on more significance and local knowledge is very important when snook fishing in Florida, . Florida fishing guides earn their living by insuring their customers have an opportunity to catch fish. Some Florida fishing guides are better than others. Fishing in Florida is so much more fun when you are catching fish in Florida.

How to Choose Your Florida Fishing Guide

First of all make sure you choose a fishing guide who is a professional and does not just own a boat. Many Florida fishermen try to earn side money by booking fishing trips. Choose a professional fishing guide that is full time. Your chances for a successful fishing trip increase dramatically. Word of mouth is huge in the fishing guide business. Ask around, check with friends or check with the fishing lodge you may be staying at. Ask the fishing guide for references. Any Florida fishing guide with his or her salt will be happy to oblige.

Florida Fishing Guide Cost

The cost of your fishing trip usually is set by the day or half day. Expect to pay between 300 and 600 dollars for a fishing trip. Does that seem like a lot of money? It really is not when you consider the value you receive for your money. No boat expenses or responsibilities, you don’t have to buy boat insurance and you are free to enjoy the day . You literally can show up for your fishing trip with the clothes on your back and some sunscreen. A good fishing guide takes care of the rest, including tackle, bait and most importantly knowledge of where the big fish are. Ask where you will be fishing. Will it be a flats fishing trip , open water or backwoods country?

Florida Fishing Guides Guarantees

We have not run across many fishing guides in Florida that guarantee results, however most fishing guides will be able to put you on fish during your fishing trip. The more species specific you trip is, the more difficult it will be to catch them. That’s the great thing about fishing. One recent trip that was planned for snook fishing, we caught redfish and trout too numerous to count. Our fishing guide took us to a spot and told us to throw our baits to a specific location. Remember, location, location, location? Minutes later we landed our first snook of the day. That was money well spent.

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Are you planning to go Snook fishing in Florida but you don’t know where to start? There are many different Florida charters where you can use your fishing prowess and skills, not just on Snook but also on other fish such as redfish, trout, cobia, grouper, permit, tarpon, largemouth bass or other game fish you might be interested in. Snook fishing is one of the most popular among anglers in Florida because it poses a challenge to their skill and abilities.

The most exciting and red-hot Snook fishing action takes place in the sparkling and clear waters and back country of the coast of Florida. Anglers from all over the world go to Florida to experience the thrill of catching game fish like Snook. Snook,  tarpon and Redfish are usually the reason why anglers from all over the world go to Florida.

Before you start fishing in Florida, you should know first the different Florida charters where you can go fishing and you should find a guide who will help you along the way. A guide should be a licensed captain who has vast knowledge in fishing or any other things related to fishing.

There are different methods of Snook fishing in Florida like using topwater baits, jigging, spinning equipments, or fly fishing. However, the method that you will use depends on where you will go fishing. Are you going fishing on saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water? Do you want to test your Snook fishing skills in the flats or the drop-offs? Your choice of fishing method could also depend on the biting behavior of the Snook. Your fishing guide can help you choose the best methods. But you can also ask him to teach you new methods that you may not be familiar with. Try several Florida charters and each time use a different method and before you know it, you are becoming a better angler every time you leave one charter.

If you are on vacation with your family, you could try fishing or sight fishing in some Florida charters such as the flats of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon. Not only can you catch big redfish, it is also great for sight fishing because the depths of these flats are only around 5 feet tops. What better way to familiarize yourself with fish than to see them swimming with other fish or with a school of fish!

The Merritt Island and the Canaveral Seashore are the central parts of the Florida east coast and here you can find not just fish but also a variety of birds and other wild animals.

Snook fishing Florida charters include Sebastian Inlet or Port Canaveral, the central and south part of the Florida east coast. To catch a Snook, and you are inexperienced you might need heavier tackle, because light tackle is no match for this magnificent yet stubborn creature. Sometimes, there are Snook on the farther north area of Port Canaveral. But generally, you can find Snook around these areas and a little bit north of Tampa Bay and down south fishing in Sanibel Island area can be very productive.

Snook fishing in Florida is every angler’s dream. You’ve never been a real angler if you haven’t experience of Snook fishing in Florida. So why not live your angler dream and join anglers in Florida for a fishing challenge you’ll never forget.

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The Florida Everglades is an area full of wildlife such as, alligators, egrets, and our personal favorite, snook.  This is a protected natural park with a whopping size of 1.5 million acres. You will not see any signs of developments in this area, which will make you think you’re not in the United States, and has many areas rarely visited by man.

The area’s creeks, bays and rivers are lined with mangroves. These areas and sandy beaches and shores along the Gulf of Mexico are filled with a variety of flora and fauna. You will find the famous Florida Gator and a lot of migrating birds in this primeval environment.

But another special thing it has to offer aside from these great sights and wildlife is the area’s great fishing locations. Snook fishing in the Everglades National Park is not like anything you can imagine. It is an amazing and unique experience for most anglers. The scenery is an added bonus for the anglers who brave their way into snook fishing in these areas.

When you go fishing here for snook, you will experience a sharp contrast between the environment’s serenity and peaceful atmosphere and the chaos and excitement when a snook decides he wants a bite your  bait. You will probably hold your breath several times in this area because it is very common to see a very large snook of magnificent beauty and grace sitting motionlessly in one area about 10 to 50 feet away from you.

Snook are very abundant in the Everglades National Park of Florida, especially in Chokoloskee Florida. It was even dubbed as the Snook Capital of the World. You probably know by now that anglers consider snook as the most popular and sought after gamefish in  Florida. Anglers are very much challenged with snook behavior when hooked. They will jump out of the water and they will swim to a structure like mangroves to cut off your line. These gamefish are very fast and keen—the characteristics that made them so well-loved by anglers.

Aside from the thrill you can get by seeing this creature on its natural habitat, you also have the chance to beat the world record of the largest snook ever caught in Florida weighing about 44 lbs. 11 ounces . This fish was caught in Chokoloskee so who knows maybe will get a chance to catch one of his relatives. as long as you know the basics and also some tricks and techniques in catching the very popular snook.

You can also enjoy sight fishing and snook fishing in the everglades because of the warm weather all year round. So after your family’s Vacation In Orlando Florida trip to Sea World, Disney World, Epcot Center, or Busch Gardens, why not pack your fishing gear and head to Florida’s everglades and experience for yourself the one of a kind thrill you can only experience when you go snook fishing in this wonderful haven of snook.

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