Snook still are hanging in the passes and along the beach. Most areas have been fished hard since the season opened. These fish will be spooky and will want to check out baits before striking. Grunts are a great bait to free-line around structure and under docks. The snook wait awhile then slam the grunt like a kingfish. Most strikes come within 15 minutes.

If conditions are right, give the spot at least 45 minutes. For the next few days fish the incoming tide when it's moving the fastest.

Rigs should be strong enough to pull legal-sized snook from under structures and light enough to draw a strike. We use 30-pound-test braided line, 40-pound leader and a razor-sharp hook. Drags should be set fairly tight. The best pattern is to anchor up current and let the grunt hang in the current next to the structure. Grunts in the 3-4 inch range get the most strikes. The bigger grunts usually get hit by snook that are too big to keep.

-- Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.

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