By DOUG HEMMER, Times Correspondent
Published September 1, 2005
Snook season opens today. Most of the larger schools are still hanging near area passes. As daylight hours shorten the snook will start migrating toward their winter hangouts. Snook in the John's Pass area will move to the residential canals just inside the pass.
After a few weeks, most will head toward the main body of St. Petersburg and the canals of Cross Bayou. The schools near St. Pete Beach to Tierra Verde will make their first stop at the two bridges leading to Fort De Soto Park. Their next spot will be the mangrove islands to the east before holding up at the two bridges north of the Skyway. The bridge just south of the main span also holds good numbers of snook. The main span has snook, but the bridge is so large it's hard to locate the schools. They should hang in these spots until the first strong cold front of the season.
Live bait is the best choice when targeting migrating snook. They will be trying to fatten up before the cooler water temperature slows their metabolism.
Around the bridges use grunts, pinfish or ladyfish rigged to 50-pound test or stronger. Legal snook in the 26- to 34-inch class can overpower lighter tackle and cut you off on the bridge pilings. When fishing around the mangroves, use at least 15-pound test line and a 30-pound leader. White bait and scaled sardines are the bait of choice. Look for areas where the snook strike the surface after chumming with live white bait. Cast to the surface action and set the hook when the line goes tight.
Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.
