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View Full Version : How to catch Snook- Day and Night (an ongoing TR)



warthog
04-23-2007, 04:22 PM
The following is a two day TR. Last Thursday night and this Sunday.

The key to getting big snook is mostly timing. If you like to fish at night, then the Snook is your friend. They are night predators. They are also very lazy hunters. They like to ambush stuff from around structure in short bursts. They don't like to work too hard. Therefore, we like to fish them on the outgoing tide, when all the good stuff is swept off the flats on its way back to the sea. Incoming tide works well too, but I have more luck on the ebb.

First thing you do, is you get you a boat. Preferably someone else's. Gas money is much easier to pay for.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/143909100-L.jpg
Wouldn't mind taking that one with the trip. 275s for a spin.

Next you scope future spots while you burn the little bit of daylight left.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309728-L.jpg

http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309857-L.jpg

Start heading to the spot when the sun is dipping below the horizon.
No Wake zones don't look so bad when the draw-bridge is up. Don't worry- we waved to them as we went by.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309796-L.jpg

I hate it when our secret spots get so crowded.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309748-L.jpg

Once the sun goes down, set up within casting distance of a dock like this.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309770-L.jpg
Those lights are called Snook lights, and yes- it is cheating. I don't care.

FYI- It was a bad night to try out the "Black Widow" for the first time.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309922-L.jpg
Damn thing was like trying to cast a feather duster. I have since figured it out a bit better.

Here is a pic of the fish we caught.



























That's fishin'.

pechelman
04-23-2007, 04:33 PM
night fly fishing for snook is arguably my most favorite thing to do

ive generally had great luck with a shiny shrimp pattern
as soon as it hits the water, strip it super fast in short little bursts just like when the shrimp jump accross the water.

f'in ownerage.

warthog
04-23-2007, 04:35 PM
Part 2- Sunday


Daytime Snook are a bit tougher. Same tide rule, but they just don't bite as much.

We decided to use live bait today.

Here is my buddy Vince scoping the bait, and ready to throw.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309945-L.jpg

Here is a nice toss, that netted us, well, not much. But it was a nice toss.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309877-L.jpg

We fished some docks for a while, got a small flounder and some ladyfish. Fun, but not why we were there. We got suspicious of our choice of spots when these guys showed up.

Fishing Gapers with guide.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309907-L.jpg
Like in skiing, the outfits give you away. Guide with baseball cap on is obviously gonna earn his money today.

We left that scene, and went out to a small wreck at the mouth of the bay. Dropped to the bottom for some grouper. Got some small ones.

I think the bait he ate was half his size.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309833-L.jpg

This guy was a little more respectable, but still under.
http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/146309816-L.jpg

That was it. Nice day on the water, as usual.

I'll keep updating this all season. The pics and the fish should get better and better.

Tight Lines.

72Twenty
04-23-2007, 05:35 PM
I'm coming to your house.

warthog
04-23-2007, 05:40 PM
I'm coming to your house.

Sweet I'll get the spare room set up.

mudshark
04-23-2007, 10:44 PM
That's a ton of traffic on the bayway, the draw span must have been up. It's nice to see the mangroves with the Don in the background. Daisy Banks used to hold lots of fish on the falling tides....so fun when the stray tarpon or cobia would stop by to pick a fight......

mrryde
04-24-2007, 02:00 PM
I'm coming to your house.

so am i........

Pow4Brains
04-24-2007, 06:14 PM
Awesomeness, the first fishing TR! Thanks for the stoke, I hope to be providing some soon................7 months with no "good" day, I'm starting to go nuts. Callibaetis season is upon us:D

warthog
04-25-2007, 08:58 AM
Awesomeness, the first fishing TR! Thanks for the stoke, I hope to be providing some soon................7 months with no "good" day, I'm starting to go nuts. Callibaetis season is upon us:D

Just glad I can finally provide some TRs. Glad you guys found it interesting, even with the lack of fishyness. I'll keep adding to it throughout the season.

Lonnie
04-26-2007, 01:58 PM
Callibaetis season is upon us

Ummmm, Callibeatis.