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The
brilliant snook is hands down one of the most desirable
fish in Florida. Most flats and shallow water fisherman
will agree that the snook is the most intelligent of
all the species. Snook seem to know exactly what to
do to break your line should you be lucky enough to
fool one into taking a fly.
Snook
are notorious for their ambush personality. They love
to hide in cover and slam anything unfortunate enough
to come by. Snook can be found hiding among the mangrove
roots, bridge pilings, or any structure that affords
them the ability to remain unseen. Snook are also often
found laying up in the many white holes that pepper
the flats as they wait to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
Cast your fly into one of the holes and hang on!
Snook
are very sensitive to water temperature and will flee
the flats and shallows when the mercury drops. They
are commonly found over dark bottomed environments that
warm quickly. They are exceptionally vulnerable during
cold fronts where they become lethargic and almost motionless.
It is for this very reason that the Florida regulations
prohibit the taking of snook during December 15 through
February 1.
Snook
are a long, heavy fish that has a very distinctive head.
The snook's head comprises one third of its length and
has a long, concave snout. They also posses a prominent
black lateral line that runs the length of the fish
beginning just behind his gill plates. It is this line
that has earned the snook the alias of linesider. Although
a snook's coloration can vary according to his surroundings,
they have an olive green hue on top with silver sides.
Their fins have a yellowish coloration.
Snook
reach maturity at three years at three to four pounds.
They are commonly found in sizes far exceeding this
and the current all tackle record is 53 lb. 10 oz. The
largest snook landed on fly was 30lb 4 ounce caught
on a 20 lb. class tippet by Rex Garret at Chokoloskee
Island, Florida in 1993.
Snook
were originally referred to as "soapfish"
by the early anglers because of their soapy taste when
prepared without removing their skin. It didn't take
long however for anglers to realize the snook's sensational
table qualities once you remove their skin. Snook is
considered one of the best eating fish from the ocean
and they are pursued by many anglers with a fanatical
obsession.
It
is sad to think that snook were once fished to the brink
of extinction. The healthy population found today is
a direct result of strict government regulations and
angler awareness. If we as anglers and enthusiasts don't
adhere to the size and bag limits today we will be jeopardizing
the snook fishing for the future. Please practice catch
and release so that these magnificent fish will be around
for our grandchildren to enjoy.
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