Snook fishing has been hot along the beaches from Redington Beach to Tarpon Springs. Though they move from one stretch to another from day to day, they can be tracked by following the bait.
Pelicans and terns are a big help when following sardines. In the morning Spanish mackerel, bonito and jacks feed on the plentiful schools of small scaled sardines just offshore. As they attack the baitfish they force them into shallower water, where they school in dense pods. These pods often appear dark as the tiny minnows squeeze together for protection. When they are pushed over the sandbar and into the swash channel the snook move in, often darting through and gulping them by the mouthful. Shorebound anglers then can walk the beach casting live sardines into the "halos" that show through the dark bait schools as the snook move through.
Though most of these snook are in the 4- to 6-pound range, giants often are hooked. One over 30 pounds was caught along the beach at Anclote Key several years ago. The key to catching them is to not wade where the fish are feeding; it will spook them and shut down the bite. Occasionally cobia, speckled trout and even tarpon will be found working the baitfish very close to the beach in the morning.
