Things are really heating up here on the Space Coast, especially the snook bite! Although snook season is closed, they are still a great game fish and can be caught throughout the entire east coast — anglers from land, boat, lagoon or ocean — all have great opportunities to target this awesome fish!
Inshore, deeper mangrove shorelines with lots of small silver mullet have been producing good numbers of fish from 20-40.” There’s plenty of artificial opportunities early morning with small top water plugs, such as the Rapala Skitterwalk, as well as a Gulp! jerk-shad rigged weedless worked along the surface. As the sun rises, the artificial bite tends to slow and a free lined 4-6″ mullet can be candy!
This time of year is important for snook as it’s their spawning season. You may find larger fish more common than other times of the year, but it’s very important to handle them with care, even more so with higher water temps!
Snook fishing along the beach this time of year can be incredible. From sloughs in the surf, inlets and jetties, the possibilities are endless. Tossing a 6″ bomber wind-cheater plug along the surf early and late can produce some great fish, as well as the night time buck-tail bite. The inlet bite should remain strong and you’ll find the main food source for these snook will be larger baitfish. Pigfish, pinfish, mullet and croakers are all great choices. Try to use the least amount of weight possible as well as lighter line. Snook have crazy sharp gill plates and can cut thru 40/50lb mono like a hot knife thru butter, but utilizing circle hooks can typically help you get away with using a lighter line and still get a great hook up!
Snook season opens September 1st, but you’ll find some incredible fishing even before then. Get out early and beat the heat! Good luck to everyone!
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