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Tackle and TechniquesFor Night Snook Fishing (This originally appeared in the March 2007 issue of Fly Fisherman magazine) WHERE:
The finest fishing for large numbers of snook ranging from 18 inches to 23 inches is commonly referred to as “Snook Alley” in an area from Blackburn Point south through Nokomis to Venice (see inset map).
WHEN:
December through early April, from full dark until the incoming or outgoing tide stops. A strong flow of moving water is critical to angling success, since that’s what moves shrimp and baitfish into feeding zones.
WHY:
Snook congregate around lighted docks at night in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) because of warmer water temperatures and the availability of food.
TECHNIQUE:
Anchor a good cast-length away from a dock that has a gooseneck lamp that’s either on an automatic timer or has a sympathetic property-owner. After full dark, snook move into the areas of shadows, and directly into the circle of light, waiting for the tide to sweep “glass minnow” baitfish and small shrimp into the feeding zone. Cast “upstream” into the shadows and let the fly swing through the pod.
Snook usually like a fast-moving baitfish, so use short, rapid strips as the fly gets to the fish. If a snook is curious but reluctant to take the fly, strip faster. Occasionally the reverse is true--then snook are more interested in a fly that’s barely twitched as it swings through the feeding zone. As in similar situations with other species, sometimes it helps to change patterns and sizes until you find the fly du jour.
RODS:
An 8-weight is the standard. A 7-weight will work, but puts an unnecessary strain on fish that are destined to be released since nearly all of the snook that school up under the docks will fall below the 27-inch minimum in the slot limit. A 9-weight is overkill for these fish, but excellent if you’ve located an isolated light that holds one or two large females.
REELS:
While it is possible to hand-strip snook to the boat, all are very strong and acrobatic. Larger fish in and above the slot limit absolutely require a reel with a quality disc drag.
LINES:
Floating line is most commonly used, but a sink-tip frequently will save the day when snook drop down further in the water column.
TIPPET:
Eighteen to twenty inches of 30-pound fluorocarbon is best because these fish will try to wrap around dock pilings. Yes, 20-pound will work, and so will monofilament. In either case, check your tippet after every hookup, or every time your fly hangs on the dock or piling. Nicked or abraded tippets should be cut back or replaced. That’s especially true of fluorocarbon, which stands out like a strobe light when it’s damaged.
REMEMBER:
Snook have very abrasive mouths, which is why tippets must be checked frequently. Snook also have razor-sharp gill plates, so don’t grab a snook by the gills. You can suffer painful cuts at the least, and very large snook can slice you to the bone at the worst.
Snook can be seized by the lower jaw, similar to bass, in order to be unhooked and released. But please see “Safe Handling” to minimize mortality.
A special license is required in order to keep a snook, and the fish cops are very good about writing citations. Also keep in mind that all snook begin life as males. At age three, about half morph into females, and by age five or six virtually all snook in or above the slot limit are prime breeding females.
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