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Some people think fishermen love to wake up early. Most do not, but an early start is necessary for good snook action. Recently, snook stopped biting by 10 a.m. They will be finicky in the middle of the day. Extra patience is helpful during the dog days of summer. It is tempting to move from spot to spot to cool off, but you might be leaving the fish behind. Give each spot a little more time, and you could be rewarded.
Greenbacks are difficult to obtain. They have spawned, and the larger baits ideal for snook have come from area bridges at night. Small bait is available on the flats but often will get gilled. This can be avoided by using a smaller mesh size on your cast net. This is a great time to use artificial baits and lures. You can cover more area and keep your boat clean. Soft plastic jigs and jerk baits work well for many species. These lures are easy to fish and relatively inexpensive.
Small live bait is effective for mangrove snapper, which eagerly will eat tiny sardines or shrimp. Downsizing your gear is essential when fishing with growth-challenged bait. "Mangs" will cooperate throughout the day and are abundant in about any area with structure. Bridges, range markers, docks and artificial reefs are great places to find them.
- Captain Dave Walker charters out of Tampa and can be reached at (813) 310-6531 or at snookfish.com