You might have tried fishing for snook if you enjoy fishing. Have you ever tried fishing for night snook? You should try it. Here are some tips and tricks for night snook fishing.
Where to Fish at Night
Search for Light
You should follow the same principles as night fishing when you are fishing at night. Because it encourages plankton growth, you should fish where there is light. This attracts baitfish, small creatures, and snook to the area.
Visit Bays, Inlets, and Residential Areas
These areas are not accessible during the day due to human activity like swimming or boating. They are easy to find at night. Ask locals where you could catch snook.
Search for Dock Lights
These are easy to locate and can be found near the water to attract snooks. Any kind of light will attract snook and other critters.
Head to Bridges
Bridges are another option. If the bridge is lit up, there’s lots of action underneath. A dock is a great option for beginners. However, bridges can also be a great choice. Although this may seem counterintuitive, people have had great success fishing near populated areas because the lights attract the fish.
Be Patient
Experienced anglers will tell you patience is essential. This is especially true when snook-night fishing. People make the common mistake of moving too quickly into the light and making noise to scare the fish away. Snook can be easily scared off by boat motors.
It is important to be quiet. You’ll be able to hear the snook’s feeding sounds if you are quiet. This will usually occur near a dock light beam, but it can also happen outside of it. Keep an eye out. Once you have determined where you want the fish to be caught, a soft-plastic jerk bait is a great choice. Make sure your lure is Texas-rigged to ensure it doesn’t get caught in ropes or pilings. Then cast it. Before you start twitching, let the lure settle.
Some anglers don’t like lures with more than one hook because they can get stuck. There are times when hard plastic jerk bait is necessary to lure your snook. While you can cast beyond the light, it is important to reel in your bait slowly and steadily.
Different types of tackle to use
Fishing can be made easier by using underwater lights. You will still need quality tackle. You can use saltwater spinning and light baitcasting to fish at night. A 30-pound braid and a 20-60-pound fluorocarbon leader will suffice most of the time, depending on the clarity of your water and the size of the snook you are trying to catch.
Fishing near structures, inshore, or covers can result in snook being caught with pitching lures and baits. They are sensitive to the current and will be facing it. Wait until the tide turns if you can see the snook but not be able to catch them.
Lures & Baits
While light is a good way to get started, you will also need to have some lures to draw their attention. Top water plugs and shrimp have been used successfully by some people. There are many options. There are many options, including pilchards and live sardines. Live bait is best if it can be found near where you are fishing. Snook will seek it out.
A white or chartreuse paddle tail with a jighead is also an option if live bait is not your preferred method of fishing. You will have a variety of options depending on the type of gear you use. If you are serious about fishing, you should also bring something that can be used throughout the night.
What else is important to know?
Although a snook can take many different lures and baits, it is often difficult to predict their behavior. They can also be stubborn. You should be patient, even if you live in well-lit areas.
You can catch snook up to 10 pounds if you go fishing in spring and early summer. This is the time when they will be spawning. You can use a tail jig, plastic bucktail, or live pinfish to find deep holes. You can also use a needlefish, troll, or other lures in the passes.
You should fish at river mouths or flats, and you should start fishing during the last hour of the falling tide. Continue for about an hour until the tide rises. While you can use life shrimp at this time, gizzard shads are better choices. They are not very effective and will perish quickly. When they are transported, you need to ensure that they are in aerated water. You can also find freshwater shiners in most tackle and bait shops. These won’t last long so be cautious.
You’re missing out on some great fun if you haven’t tried night fishing for snook. It might take some time to adjust to the new environment. It’s worth it. After a few tries, you’ll soon realize that it’s great fun and that it’s as enjoyable as day fishing.
The article was written by a professional charter captain at Salty Knots Fishing Charters with 15+ years of experience in the Gulf of Mexico. Salty Knots Fishing Charters is a local fishing charter service based out of St. Pete Beach, Florida. “We know what it takes to catch a giant trophy fish!” Salty Knots Is the best when it comes to Deep Sea Fishing St Pete Beach.
