Species Spotlight

Snook

 

Snook are a prized gamefish in Florida. They taste delicious, they fight well when hooked, and they like to hang around docks, mangroves and seawalls. Snook are also a popular fish for anglers hoping to land a trophy fish.

There is more than one type of snook in the waters around Florida. The three most common types of snook in Florida waters include the common snook (also known as the linesider), fat snook (also called tarpon snook) and swordspine snook.

The common snook is by far the most plentiful species of this prized fish. It can be found throughout all of Florida’s coastal areas: from Jacksonville to Key West, along both coastlines, and everywhere in between.

There are three types of Florida snook: common snook, fat snook and swordspine snook.

There are three types of Florida snook: common snook, fat snook and swordspine snook.

  • Common Snook – The common snook is the most well-known type of Florida snook on account of its popularity as a game fish in many parts of the state. It is found in both saltwater and freshwater where the two habitats collide.
  • Fat Snook – These fish typically live in areas where there are high water temperatures, so they’re often found near coastal regions or estuaries where temperatures remain warmer than other bodies of water.
  • Swordspine Snook – This species can be found along sandy bottoms or rocks near mangroves.

Common Snook also known as Linesider is the most abundant of the three species in Florida.

Common Snook also known as Linesiders are not only the most abundant of the three species in Florida, they are also found statewide. Common Snooks are often confused with other species of snook. They have a flaky white meat that is prized among anglers and seafood lovers alike!

Common Snook are found statewide and are great sport fish.

Common Snook are found statewide and are great sport fish. They can be found in freshwater, brackish and saltwater habitats. Common snook are found in coastal estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays as well as saltwater.

Common snook feed on a wide variety of crustaceans, other fish and small invertebrates.

Fat Snook, also known as Tarpon Snook is found primarily in estuaries in South Florida, usually around docks and mangroves.

Fat Snook, also known as Tarpon Snook, is found primarily in estuaries in South Florida, usually around docks and mangroves. This species does not often migrate up freshwater rivers like the Common Snook does.

Fat Snook can be found in brackish water (freshwater meets saltwater) habitats where they feed on shrimp, crabs and other crustaceans during the day along sandy beaches or mud flats near mangroves or sea grass beds before moving out into deeper water at night when there is more food available for them under lights from bridges or docks

Swordspine Snook is rare, but it can be caught when targeting Common or Fat Snook.

The Swordspine Snook has a moderately deep body, a large head and mouth, and a flattened snout. It has 49-59 scales in the row above its lateral line. The second anal spine is long, pointed and well separated from the first anal spine (which is also long). This species enters inland marshes and shorelines of vegetated rivers, creeks, canals and lakes.

All three species require a valid fishing license with a snook endorsement in order to legally harvest a fish.

Florida snook season is open from September until December then February through June, and there is a bag limit of one fish per person per day. Snook are prized for their flaky white meat and their fight when hooked. The common snook is the most abundant of the three species in Florida, but all three may be caught during recreational fishing.

Always make sure to check with the FWC for the latest regulations.

Snook are prized for their flaky white meat and their fight when hooked.

For many anglers, snook is the ultimate challenge. They are prized for their flaky white meat and their fight when hooked. Snook can be caught in deep water or shallow flats, on a falling tide or rising tide, by trolling artificial lures or live bait. Snook fishing is an adventure!

 

Conclusion

Snook are some of the most sought after fish in Florida. There are three species: Common Snook, Fat Snook and Swordspine Snook. Common Snook are abundant statewide and found near docks, mangroves, piers and jetties. Fat Snook can be found in estuaries primarily in South Florida and Swordspine Snook is rarely caught by anglers targeting Common or Fat. All three species require a valid fishing license with a snook endorsement to harvest a fish. Florida snook season runs from August 1 through June 30 with a bag limit one fish per person per day.

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