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Casting
To Snook
There
are an endless array of casting scenarios you will encounter
when fishing for snook. As your experience and knowledge
grow, you will develop a keen bag of tricks to help
you accurately cast in an ever-changing environment.
One
of the most common situations is blindly casting along
a shoreline. Snook are often hidden within the cover
of mangroves and brush that line the coasts and backcountry.
This technique requires that you learn to deftly present
your fly along the edge without entangling the numerous
hazards. The best casters know just how to deliver their
fly so that it unrolls and falls under a mangrove branch
right into the heart of a snook's lair.
Casting
under such difficult, varied circumstance ensures that
with regularity you will hone your skills to a deadly
artform. Try not to get discouraged as you begin learning
to cast among the obstacles. Every flycaster has had
his share of hooked branches and errant casts. Your
diligence will be rewarded the first time a monster
linesider explodes from his cover to crush your fly
in a frothy boil!
Another
unique experience in snook fishing is casting to bridge
and dock lights during the night. The distinctive popping
sound of a snook feasting on shrimp under the lights
is sure to get your blood boiling. Slowly work the waterways
and look for busting fish or other signs of bait. Try
casting your fly under docks and on the shadow line
of lights until your line comes tight. It is best to
always cast to the edge of the light circle where the
snook are waiting for prey. In fast moving water, position
yourself up-tide and cast a few feet ahead of the light
so that your fly naturally drifts within the circle.
Fishing in the darkness has a way of heightening your
senses and you will soon become a night fishing addict.
Let's
not forget bridges! Bridges with deep, moving water
are snook magnets on a falling tide. The current sucks
the bait through the passages where the snook are conveniently
waiting for their meal. Talk about fast-food! Maneuver
your boat up-tide and anchor within casting distance.
You then simply cast your fly so that it naturally drifts
along in the current into the snook zone. Hook up and
be ready to play a tug of war as the snook makes a beeline
for the pilings!
Sometimes
you'll get lucky enough to actually see a linesider
laid up by a bridge piling or in a white hole on the
flat. Quickly count your blessing and cast your fly
a short distance in front of the fish. Hopefully he'll
engulf your fly after a few strips and your reel will
be singing!
Fishing
for snook is never boring. Every outing is a completely
new adventure in itself. Snook are undeniably at the
pinnacle of the fly fishing experience.
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