Snook are incredible game fish and are highly sought after because of their aggressive fighting ability and delicious meat. Snook are excellent eating and fun to catch but are subject to catch limits and closures.
Snook can grow up to 44 pounds. They eat small fish, shrimp and an occasional crab. Snook are protandric hermaphrodites, they are all born as males then some change into females between 1 and 7 years of age. Atlantic water Snook are larger and grow fast in Florida waters. They have a distinct black lateral line and beautiful yellow colored fins. Always grab them by the mouth, their gill covers are razor sharp and can injure you severly.
Five kinds of Snook reside in Florida waters:
- Common snook
- Small-scale fat snook
- Large-scale fat snook
- Swordspine snook
- Tarpon snook Snook were once very abundant until over harvested by commercially fishing. They were so plentiful that they were hauled from the shore using seine nets. Today snook harvesting is recreational only, using a hook and line; no spearing or netting allowed. And the sale of snook is not allowed in Florida. Commercial harvesting is banned,.You need a saltwater license with a snook stamp to fish for and keep snook in all Florida waters.
