Features and behaviors of Snook

Snook Fishing Identification Guide will explain that these golden yellow fish have a very distinct black lateral line, sloping forehead, and protruding lower jaw. They are a very popular game fish that prefer near-shore vegetative habitats like river mouths and salt marshes, growing to over 40 inches long at times.

Snook Fishing Identification Guide

The common snook is best recognized by its elongated body, concave snout, protruding lower jaw, and sloping forehead. However, the most prominent and known characteristic of a common snook is its black lateral line formed by 67-72 pored scales and extends into the caudal fin. Common snooks also have a divided high dorsal fin and a yellow pelvic fin.

Diet:

Feed on fish and large crustaceans. Anglers often have the best luck catching snook with live pinfish, mullet, or live shrimp. Other effective methods are free-lined sardines, which can be fished off the bottom with a fish finder. Most shrimp or baitfish baits will work throughout the year, but it could be helpful to adjust your tactics based on the season.

This famous Florida fish will mainly feed on shrimp, bivalves, and mud crabs during the summer. During the fall, freshwater snook feeds primarily on pinfish and shrimp. They will feed mainly on mud crabs, snapping shrimps, and worm-like invertebrates during the winter.

Also, contrary to what many anglers believe, your baitfish or shrimp doesn’t have to be significant to catch a big snook. Even large snook have been caught on the smallest baits if cast in the right spot.

Habitat:

Snook mostly live inshore in the coastal waters, especially around mangrove shorelines, beaches, seagrass beds, and nearby structures. Freshwater snook will live in any freshwater or lightly brackish waterway they find and often congregate near spillways. Freshwater snook is commonly found in even the most minor residential canals throughout Florida.

All species of snook can live in freshwater; even large snook are found in freshwater canals throughout Florida. Some 40-inch plus big snooks inhabit water that is 100% fresh.

They are in southern freshwater rivers over 20 miles from the Gulf Coast or Atlantic coast in Florida. There are even some snook species as far inland as Lake Okeechobee.

Globally, snook occurs anywhere from South Carolina to Brazil, which includes Florida to Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of the location, they can live in almost any habitat as long as it has good water quality and temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit since they are sensitive to cold temperatures.

Angling:

Snook orient themselves to face moving water and wait for prey to be carried down the current. Snook jump clear of the water, and burst into long runs. Use live pinfish, small mullet, shrimp, or sardines free-lined or fished off the bottom with a fish finder rig. They take a large variety of lures based on water conditions. Beware of the snooks razor-sharp gill covers! Snook make excellent table fare.

Snook are a favorite fish among many anglers responsible for bringing millions of dollars to the Florida economy. Because of fishermen coming from around the world to catch snook. Catching snook is fun since they are known for their hard runs. Head shakes, but they also have a delicious taste. In addition, the common snook is known as the best inshore fighter in the world. This is why anglers travel to catch this active fish.