Centropomus undecimalis
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.
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Description: distinct lateral line;
high, divided dorsal fin; sloping forehead; large mouth,
protruding lower jaw; grows much larger than other snooks;
pelvic fin yellow.
Similar Fish: other Centropomus.
Where found: from central Florida south, usually
INSHORE in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove
shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and
pilings NEARSHORE.
Size: most catches 5 to 8 pounds.
*Florida Record: 44 lbs., 3 ozs.
Remarks: spawns primarily in summer;
cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees
F; can tolerate wholly fresh or saltwater; schools
along shore and in passes during spawning season;
feeds on fish and larrge crustaceans.
Snook may be the perfect
gamefish. It is a tremendous fighter, requires skill
to land and is one of the best eating fish you'll ever
taste. Primarily inshore fish, snook don't travel the
vast distance that other species are noted for. Most
snook, often referred to as linesiders, spawn from April
to October in the offshore waters near passes and inlets.
The juvenile fish that survive those first few weeks
of life in the open water eventually move into the estuaries
where the fish most their lives. The fish can tolerate
fresh water for extended periods of time and it is not
unheard of for anglers fishing in fresh water areas
that eventually connect to the coastal waters to catch
snook when fishing for largemouth bass.
There are four species of snook but anglers don't
need to worry about distinguishing one species from
another. Three species, the fat snook, swordspine
snook, and tarpon snook, never get larger than 18
inches so if caught, would have to be immediately
released due to their size. Angler are after the common
snook, a fish that can grow to the size of a small
log and weigh over 30 pounds.
Snook are warm water fish This limits their distribution
to the waters south of Tampa Bay along the west coast
and south of Cape Canaveral along the east coast.
When the water temperatures drop below about 60 degrees,
snook head for warmer waters. This is the reason for
the December and January closed seasons. The fish
become very lethargic when the water is cold and can
easily be exploited by unethical anglers. At the northern
range of the fish, some individuals die if they cannot
find a warm water refuge. Snook are most commonly
caught in protected waters and passes. They prefer
to hang around overhanging mangroves, dock pilings,
and any submerged structure. Some fish are caught
in the nearshore waters over reefs and other structure.
Snook will eat anything that looks good to them and
is in range when they are hungry. Their favorite food
is a small live fish, but live shrimp and small crabs
are seldom turned down. Anglers should learn to use
cast nets if they don't already know so that they
can net their own bait. Usually you can freeline a
bait fish and let it drift with the current. Occasionally
a split shot is added to the line in areas where the
current is especially strong.
Artificial lures are also popular baits for snook.
Both soft and hard bodied lures shaped like baitfish,
jigs tipped with shrimp and gold or silver spoons
are traditional favorites. MirrOlures and Zara Spooks
are two of the more popular brand names that you hear
many when talking about catching snook. Ask at a local
bait and tackle store which size, style and colors
combination is working best at the moment.
When fishing for snook, cast your bait as close to
the structure or shoreline as possible. Snook often
will pass up a good looking meal if it doesn't pass
right in front of its nose. Top snook anglers have
good casting skills and can skip a bait underneath
an overhanging mangrove branch without getting hung
up.
