Catching Snook on a Fly
Just got back from South Florida and was lucky enough to get in some fishing for Snook. Snook is an estuarine and freshwater fish that lives in coastal wetlands. Snook will live in a variety of salinities and feed on small fish and shrimp. The state record is 45 lbs but catching small snook is a thrilling challenge.
This morning, I headed out to catch snook with Eric, a captain running charters near Fort Myers, and my uncle Bob. I was determined to catch a snook on my 8wt fly rod. I had told Eric I wanted to pursue snook in the flats and shallow water. I was using my Cortland floating saltwater line and a 10 ft leader tapered down to 15lbs. Eric said the water was too cool for the big snook to be eating so I thought using a lighter leader may encourage more takes by the smaller snook.
I started with the try-and-true Clouser minnow in chartreuse and white. I have caught many different species using this fly and wanted to start with confidence. We approached a small island with an old pier. The tide was moving out still and we approached from the upstream side. I made several casts but the current was too strong to get a slow drift. Eric moved the boat around to the downstream side of the old pier. That's when a snook broke the surface on something in between the second and third pilings. Eric said we couldn't get any closer. I was casting into the wind and came up short. I tried casting sidearm to cut the wind and got a little closer…I made one tug on the line, there was a big swirl and the line was tight. Snook on the line. The first wasn't big, just 17" but it was a good fight. I released the fish and no sooner had another one on the line. This was slightly bigger.
After things slowed down we moved east into the estuary. Eric said the rising tide and temperature were key in locating active snook and he delivered. He found a shoreline with 69-degree water, the warmest we had fought that day. Too cold for Snook to be active but I was catching Snook. Each time I caught a snook I cut the fly off and cut out the frayed line and replaced the fly. I tried my old stand-by for smallies and for some reason, it worked. It is a simple white and red streamer tied with craft fur. The snook are spooky and the fly will land light. It slowly sinks into the water.
Eric has seen some bigger ones up near the shore. I had to make 75' casts to avoid spooking them. The first cast didn't move them so I dared getting the fly closer. The fly landed and the snook bolted, one straight towards the boat. It was 30" long, a real trophy. But as soon as it saw the boat, it was gone.
I caught a few more right up until it was time to go. That's when I hooked something big and my elbow stabbed with pain. The line shook and the fish swam away. It was the first one I lost this morning. I continued to work the mangrove line, casting between branches and working the fly out slowly.
I changed flies to match the bait fish. Working the mangrove line I slowly pulled the olive and white Clouser past the first depth change, I felt a sharp tug and set the hook. The elbow hurt again so it had to be a bigger snook, then it jumped…it was bigger. Not wanting to lose the fish I immediately dropped the rod tip down to the water as it shook in the air. I fought the fish to the net and this one was over 22”.
After releasing it, Eric suggested one more. Only a few cast later, there was another hit just after I tugged the fly forward. The fly must have landed close to the fish because it swiped at it just as I first moved it. This one fought hard, pulling the line out of the reel. I had to focus on keeping my rod up when it ran and lowering it when it jumped. It was either pulling hard or jumping high. Finally, I landed the snook and this one was over 24" long. Not a record but a nice fish. I decided to end on a good note and Eric made for the harbor.
Eric did a nice job as a captain. He knew the species well. He understood where they would be based on the tide and temperature. He always positioned the boat to make the cast as easy as possible and handled the wind superbly. He is a top captain and made for a great trip.
I hope to get back next year and catch a bigger snook.