Snook Fishing in Tampa Bay

Snook is the most wanted fish in Florida, the reason is that no other state has a snook population. They are a sub-tropical fish that can't live in cold water temperature. If it gets below 55 degrees, then they have trouble living in such an enviroment. This is why it is best to go after snook in the warmer months. Early spring through early summer is the prime time for snook fishing season in all Florida cities like Tampa Bay. April is the best month, since snook hadspent the winter creeks and rivers or over the deeper reefs to keep warm.

When spring starts to come, they move into the shallow waters and start eating. The snook will eat rapidly until late May to early June, which is when they will move out to the larger areas to reproduce. The reproduction grounds will be present with hundreds and even thousands of male and female snook waiting for the full moon's tide to release their spawn into the ocean. It's at this time that snook reeling can rise rapidly in Tampa Bay and other Florida areas. Snook average around 3 pounds, with some weighing over 10 pounds.

A typical day of snook fishing in Tampa Bay starts out by using a species of sardine called greenbacks as bait. When that is taken care of, you find a snook hole where you throw anchor and begin to start using the greenbacks for bait. All you have to do is take a handful of them and squeeze them slightly, which stuns them, then you toss them out to where the snook are gathered up. They're in a hole on the flat or in a pass along the mangroves most of the time. Soon after everything is started, you will start hearing loud popping noises as a snook comes up to the surface and eats the greenbacks on the surface.

At this time, use another greenback and bait up your fishing rod and cast into the snook. In a few seconds, your line should tighten. The snook will start jumping through the air. When the snook realizes that it is hooked, it will find a structure closest to it to try to make a run for it as you try to keep the fish from getting there. If the snook does make it to a structure nearby, the snook will start trying to cut your line by running around it. What you can do to combat this is to try to turn the line away from his freedom. You can expect the snook to struggle a few times, so be prepared!. If everything goes to plan, the fish will turn up beside the boat and ready for a photo!