From Todd @ Juno Bait & Tackle

Snook Season 9/1

It seems like forever since we’ve had a snook season, but in just a few days it will be game on once again for those elusive linesiders.  All indications are that it should be a very good season, with lots of slot size fish around.

Inshore- September is a prime month for finding a good number of snook inshore.  Most snook have finished spawning and are moving out of the inlets.  They will begin to take up residence around most bridges, lighted docks, and mangrove covered shorelines as they wait for the fall bait migrations to swing into gear.  This time of year the finger mullet start to show up in good numbers, and that is what the snook will key in on.  Keep that in mind when picking out your lures.  Smaller Rapala X-Raps, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, Bomber Windcheaters, and DOA Baitbusters are all good choices for fooling a snook.  Live finger mullet will be your best live bait choice.   Typically, the mullet schools will form up on top around sunset and become easy targets for the snook most of the night.  Snook being nocturnal by nature will take full advantage of this and feed heavily most of the night.  Fish around shadow lines and ambush points with good currents and the snook shouldn’t be far behind.

SURF/PIER- Hard to say exactly what will happen with the snook along the beach after the heavy surf from Hurricane Irene, but with some mullet schools already showing up they shouldn’t be too far behind.  The sardines, greenies, and pilchards are most likely going to start thinning out as we transition away from summer and into fall.  They will be replaced by mullet, and that sits just fine with the snook (and tarpon, bluefish, sharks, jacks, and everything else for that matter) as they gorge themselves on the easy meals.  A live mullet fished on the edge of the school or a dead mullet fished underneath the school is a great tactic for picking up a good fish.  If your into lures, keep them mullet looking for best results.  Low light periods will have the mullet and snook most active.

Nothing like fall snook fishing in South Florida,  good luck everyone!