Sarasota snook fishing charters

This article will cover Sarasota snook fishing charters. There is little doubt that snook are the premier light tackle inshore fish in our region of Florida. These predators are the perfect game fish. Snook are often targeted on my fishing charters. They strike artificial lures and flies, leap clear out of the water, and are aggressive, yet challenging.

My name is Capt Jim Klopfer and I am a fishing charter captain in Sarasota, Florida. I cater to a wide variety of clients, from children to skilled adults. Anglers who are fairly experienced and decent casters are the best candidates for snook fishing charters as they are more challenging.

 

I tell my clients that snook are very similar to largemouth bass in habit but with the muscle and attitude of a saltwater fish. They have a very large mouth which allows them to inhale their prey and are almost always found near structure. Snook can be very active or infuriatingly fussy.

Sarasota snook fishing charters

Snook will take a variety of artificial lures and live baits. Personally, I prefer fishing for snook on my Sarasota snook fishing charters using artificial lures. Lures allow anglers to cover a lot of water in search of fish. Lures also provoke exciting strikes. While snook fishing with lures is more challenging, it is more rewarding as well.

 

 

Artificial lures and live bait are both effective for anglers Sarasota snook fishing. The choice really depends on angler preference and conditions. I really enjoy plug fishing! I find that making a good cast right up against the mangroves and anticipating a snook attacking it as I twitch it through the strike zone to be very enjoyable. I prefer Rapalas, with the X-Rap being my favorite. Nothing beats a surface strike; topwater plugs such as the Zara Spook and Twitching Rap are proven baits.

Soft plastic baits are both versatile and extremely effective. The Bass Assassin series of baits is quite popular in this area. I like dark colors such as rootbeer and golden bream, especially after a bit of rainfall. A 1/8 ounce white head works well in shallow water and offers a contrast to the dark body. Heavier jig heads will be required in deeper water. When conditions are tough, scented baits can really make a big difference. A 5” white Gulp Jerk Shad is my preferred bait.

Live bait produces on Sarasota snook fishing charters.

Live bait catches fish on Sarasota snook fishing charters; it is that simple, especially in the daytime. A large pilchard is tough to beat, but pinfish, grunts, and large shrimp also catch plenty of snook. Netting up a bunch of pilchards and using them to chum the fish into a feeding frenzy is a time-proven technique. Free lining baits under docks or along likely-looking shorelines is also productive. In shallow water a float will keep the bait from getting into the grass.

 

Sometimes acquiring large pilchards can be difficult, especially in the summertime. However, 3” pinfish are abundant and are a good alternative. They also seem to catch larger fish. A large live shrimp will attract snook all year long. I use them most often in the winter, when they are available.

Seasonal migration of snook in Sarasota

Snook exhibit a very distinct migration throughout the year. This is a local migration as opposed to pelagic species such as mackerel or tarpon. Snook will move up into creeks, rivers, and canals in the winter. They do this to avoid severe temperature fluctuations on the deep grass flats. Forage is also present. In winter, snook are concentrated and can be easier to locate.

 

 

As it warms up in the spring (or late winter), snook will move out of the rivers, creeks, and canals and will spread out in the backwater areas. They will also be feeding at times. Mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, docks, and flats are top spots to find them. This is a great time of year to cast lures as fish are widely dispersed and lures allow anglers to cover a lot of water.

By summer most of the snook are in the passes and out on the beach. I use live bait on my Sarasota snook fishing charters during this time. The snook are around structure and bars in both Big Sarasota Pass and New Pass. Live bait is the best choice in this situations. Anglers can also wank the beach and sight cast to snook.

As it begins to cool off, the pattern will reverse itself. Snook will move from the beaches and passes to the inshore areas. A couple of good cold fronts will push the snook up into the creeks, rivers, and canals.

River snook fishing charters in Sarasota

 

I offer anglers a unique Sarasota river snook fishing charter, fishing local area rivers. Several rivers flow withing 45 minutes of Sarasota. These are the Myakka River, Manatee River, and Braden River. All three have slightly different characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

I use a smaller boat on these river snook fishing charters. The ramps are marginal and the water level is often low in the winter, which is Florida’s dry season. A light, shallow draft boat is required.

I only use artificial lures and flies when chasing snook in Sarasota area rivers. It really is a numbers game, with anglers hitting as many fallen trees and other cover in search of a snook. My top bait is a gold #10 Rapala X-Rap. It mimics the forage that snook find in the rivers. Also, this is catch and release only.

In conclusion, this article on Sarasota snook fishing charters will help anglers understand the seasons and techniques used to catch these premier inshore game fish species!