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Been a while since I've posted here, but I'm down from NC visiting family and looking to get a few days on the water. Ventured out today around CRB on the falling tide and managed to land about a dozen reds, three small snook, a flounder, and a small trout. Would have prefered to catch more and/or nicer snook rather than drive 700 miles for the other three species I have back home, but hey...I'll take it .









Any info on general locations and how to target the non-mini snook this time of year would be much appreciated. The only success I've had with them was in spring. Looking to head out Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday.

Great day!

uncdub13 wrote:Any info on general locations and how to target the non-mini snook this time of year would be much appreciated. The only success I've had with them was in spring. Looking to head out Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday.

On the Southside of Tampa over the past few weeks they seemed to be staging up on the flats and possibly getting ready to head to the warmer river waters.

With the last couple fronts it's a crap shoot on whether the numbers are in the river or not.

I'm not a good river fisherman yet so I won't be of to much help, but do know that white will work. Specifically I liked the white 3" riptide mullet (paddletail) - white CAL should work too. I've had decent luck on the riptide flats chub fire fly pattern. I jig both up and down - reds like the straight retrieve on the paddletail. Work the lure upstream to downstream on the docks/structure. Gear up with 30# - maybe even 40# leader. I still go with 20# but I lose more that way.

Bring a longer anchor line - I got schooled last year when I failed to drop and was rooked under a yacht.

Other guys seemed to be more successful with Bone Spooks tossed around the mangroves. I've had decent luck with Mirro-dines - silver and black.

The Little Manatee may be worth a shot - I think in the destination section of the forum there are putins discussed. Personally I'm waiting until late-Dec/Jan before I try my luck in the Alafia.

For a deal on riptides try using the coupon here. They are a bit softer than CALs so you may go through more but they are cheaper.

Thanks for the tips guys. Sounds like I will need to bust out of my comfort zone (if I can even call it that based on my limited experience in the area) to find the nicer snook right now. Every decent snook I've caught here was in spring when they were shallow. I did spend portions of my day yesterday working some deeper water to no avail. Maybe I will try a little river fishing in the next few days before heading home next week. Too much to learn, too little time!

Oh yeah, those photos were taken with my old Pentax Optio W20.

Never got a nice snook, but I will drive home to NC satisfied with the trip.

I will take that over a snook anyday. Well done!

saahweet poonage!