jim ross snook

We’ve had a solid snook bite again this week along the Space Coast. These fish are becoming a staple for us on our fishing trips during the springtime of the year. Although you can get snook to strike artificial lures on occasion, live offerings are much more reliable to get these fish to strike.

Two of the better live baits right now are croakers and menhaden. Rig these live baits on a knocker or sliding sinker rig. Use just enough weight to hold bottom-usually 3/4 to 1.5 ounces. For hooks I like 4/0 or 5/0 sized vmc circle hooks. You can also rig these baits on a medium sized jig head in those same weight ranges. I like to use Saltwater Assassin head with a 5/0 sized hook for this purpose. Red, chartreuse, or unpainted are the three head colors that I prefer. We are also catching bull redfish on these same rigs when targeting the snook.

Another great way to catch a variety of fish species along the beaches and inlets is to go with a live shrimp on a jig head. Once again I have a specific head that I like to use- an Assassin “Boodah” jig head in either the 1/0 or 3/0 hook size depending on what size shrimp I am using that day. Smaller-“regular” sized shrimp that I use to target whiting, pompano, sheepshead, drum, and mangrove snapper usually get rigged on the jig head with the 1/0 hook, and “hand picked” or “jumbo” sized shrimp that I use to target snook, tripletail, and big reds are normally rigged on the head with a 3/0 sized hook.

You can check out the jig head size and color options at www.bassassassin.com.

Captain Justin and I are almost completely booked up this month but we do have a few openings that we could squeeze you into if you would like to get out and fish with us. You can contact us directly at 321-505-8217 or 321-636-3728 for available dates and trip options.

Let’s go catch your next memory!