Snook Alley

The finest fishing for large numbers of snook ranging from 18 inches to 23 inches is in an area often referred to as Snook Alley, located from Blackburn Point south through Nokomis to Venice, Florida (see map). The best time of year is December through early April, from full dark until the incoming or outgoing tide stops. A strong flow of moving water is critical to angling success, since that’s what moves shrimp and baitfish into feeding zones. Snook congregate around lighted docks at night in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) because of warmer water temperatures and the availability of food.

Technique. Anchor a cast-length away from a dock that has a gooseneck lamp that’s either on an automatic timer or has a sympathetic property owner. After full dark, snook move into the areas of shadows and directly into the circle of light, waiting for the tide to sweep baitfish and small shrimp into the feeding zone. Cast upcurrent into the shadows and let the fly swing through the pod.

Snook usually prefer a fast-moving baitfish imitation, so use short, rapid strips as the fly gets to the fish. If a snook is curious but reluctant to take the fly, strip faster. Occasionally the reverse is true and snook are more interested in a fly that’s barely twitched as it swings through the feeding zone. As in similar situations with other species, sometimes it helps to change retrieves and patterns until you find the fly du jour.

Rods. An 8-weight is the standard Gulf Coast snook rod. A 7-weight will work but puts unnecessary strain on fish that are going to be released. Nearly all the schooling snook under the docks are below the 27-inch minimum. A 9-weight is overkill for most of the snook but is excellent when you hook larger females.

Reels and lines. While it is possible to hand-strip some snook to the boat, they are strong, and fish above the 27-inch slot limit require a reel with a quality disc drag. Floating lines are common, but a sinking-tip frequently saves the day when snook are deep. Use 18 to 20 inches of 30-pound fluorocarbon as these fish often try to wrap the line around dock pilings. Lighter tippets also work, as does monofilament, but in all cases, check your tippet after each fish and every time your fly hangs on a dock or piling. Nicked or abraded tippets should be replaced. Fluorocarbon monofilament is less visible than nylon because it refracts light at the same angle as the water. When it is damaged, it refracts light in all directions and as a result, stands out in the water like a strobe light.

Snook have abrasive mouths, which is why tippets must be checked frequently. They also have sharp gill plates, so don’t grab a snook by the gills. You can suffer painful cuts at the least, and large snook can slice you to the bone.

A special license is required to keep a snook. Keep in mind that all snook begin life as males. At age three, about half morph into females, and by age five or six virtually all snook in or above the slot limit are breeding females.