The Complete Guide
Snook is Tampa’s most prized game fish. Five species of snook are found in Florida. Each one has excellent fighting skills. If you are looking for adrenaline, try catching snook at Tampa Bay.
Snooks are not only great for their gaming abilities, but they are also well-known by fishing enthusiasts for their delicious white flesh.
Snooking in Tampa Bay, Florida
Florida is home to the common snook and large-scale fat-snook as well as small-scale fat-snook and small-scale fat-snook. These fish can grow to 48 inches tall and up to 50 pounds. The average weight of a snook caught in Tampa Bay is between 5 and 10 pounds and 30 pounds.
As its name implies, you’ll find plenty of common snook and less swordspine. The swordspine snook is a rare catch for many fishing enthusiasts. It’s easy to find snook. However, snook can be difficult to catch in Tampa.
Sebastian is currently the location of the largest snook caught by Florida. It weighed in at 45 pounds.
Best Snook Fishing Spots Tampa
Remember that snook are not fond of cold water when you catch them in Tampa Bay. They can’t tolerate changes in water temperature. Young snook are unable to tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees F, and adults snook have difficulty living in water temperatures below 50 degrees F.
Snook can be found in estuaries, bays, inlets and flats as well as inshore areas. They can also be found in rivers, piers and other areas where there is water. Snook also love shelter so they will be easy to spot near shelters. Once hooked, they may also swim to the nearest shelter.
You can find the best spots for snook fishing at Davis Island Dog Beach and Tampa Riverwalk. Bay Pier, Cypress Point Park and Ybor City are all options. If you are in any of these spots, make sure to stay in a place where water is flowing quickly, especially if it’s near inlets or passes. These are the best places for large fish such as snook to be fed.
Florida’s Best Snook Baits
For snook, crustaceans are good baits. Small fish and crustaceans are also good choices. Fly fishing and light tackle are effective fishing methods.
Casting your lure or bait up-current to catch Snook is the best way to catch it. Locate a spot where Snook are hiding, then cast your bait or lure up-current to attract the fish. If you fool Snook, your chances of getting a catch are best if it confuses your bait with their natural prey. Your bait will be caught once the tide has carried it past the fish.
Night fishing for slob Snook is a popular pastime of Tampa fishermen. These men are attracted to docks and look for food under the darkness. Many local charters offer night trips that are both productive and fun.
Here are some common techniques for snook fishing
Snook are large fish that eat small fish. Snook love crustaceans and small fish, so these are great baits. Your bait should be allowed to naturally reach the spot of the snook by floating on the surface of the water. This will make your bait appear natural and attractive to the snook.
Snook Season in Tampa Bay Florida
May through November and September are peak snook seasons, while January through March and December are low snook seasons. You can find snook in estuaries and inlets during peak season. Low season is when you will find snook near rivers and piers.
The snook season in gulf states waters closes between December and January and May through August. In Atlantic state waters, the snook season ends from December 15 through January 31, and June to August.
Florida Snook Fishing Regulations
Some state waters in Florida currently are subject to a catch and release order. This includes the Hernando/Pasco County line that runs up to Gordon Pass in Collier County. For updates, you can visit this page .
You can only catch one snook per day in gulf state waters. It must be at least 28 inches long and 33 inches wide. You can still catch snook in Atlantic state waters between 28 and 32 inches, but only one per harvester.
The article was written by a professional charter captain at Salty Knots Fishing Charters with 15+ years of experience in the Gulf of Mexico. Salty Knots Fishing Charters is a local fishing charter service based out of St. Pete Beach, Florida. “We know what it takes to catch a giant trophy fish!” Salty Knots Is the best when it comes to Deep Sea Fishing St Pete Beach.
