Category: Catch a Snook

Kayak Fishing Forecast

mullet bait kayak fishing

InshorE

The mullet bait run is upon us. Snook, tarpon, redfish and trout will all be cooperating this month. Matching the hatch will be your best bet during this time. Super spooks, DOA bait buster’s and anything that has the shape of a mullet will be the go to baits while kayak fishing. With the presence of so much mullet bait, the thought then goes to how do I get my lure the one that gets hit. I like trying to go with colors that stand out in the pack. Try dark or bright colors to get the attention away from the group of bait. Focus your cast on the edges of the mullet bait schools and you will do well.

Offshore

The shallow fall dolphin run should start to take effect this month, giving anglers kayak fishing a better shot at them Look for them to start to move into the more attainable depths from 250-100 foot of water. Another thing to get excited about is the snapper bite. Look to target Mutton snapper and yellowtail snapper in 60-100ft of water. I love using mullet this time of year for both bottom fishing and trolling. It is readily available and a great hardy bait to keep alive while kayak fishing.

Mullet Bait Mahi Mahi kayak Fishing

Freshwater

 

The peacock bass and clownkife fishing will really be taking off in the coming months. Look to fish structure like bridges to find the bite. Live shiners are always the go to bait, but during this time don’t overlook a finger mullet as well. Mullet will survive in the freshwater long enough for them to be crushed by a hungry peacock bass or largemouth bass. Finally as an artificial option try using DOA jerk baits or rattle traps to entice a bite.

kayak fishing trip in florida catch snook

Kayak Fishing Trips in Florida to Catch Snook

One of the best places to catch Snook is right here in South Florida. Stuart, Jupiter and Palm Beach, Florida have great populations of these amazing game fish. Taking a kayak fishing trip in Florida is a great way to get up close and personal with a Florida staple.

kayak fishing guide snook on kayak fishing trip in florida

Snook fishing is best early or late in the day. Your kayak fishing guide likes to start the day by throwing the cast net and catching a dozen or so 8-12 inch mullet in the bait tank. These mullet are for back up for the time 9 am hits and I want to make sure we will still get a bite. Our kayak fishing guides love getting clients bit on artificial, so the first lure that is going to hit the water will be either a Super Spook or a large paddle tail swimbait. Some days an erratic moving bait and other days a straight moving swimbait is the best way to catch Snook. On our kayak fishing trips in Florida we try both baits for a while and see what they are in the mood for.

 

Your kayak fishing guide will set you up with a 7ft, 10-20lb spinning rod with a 5000 sized reel lined with 30 pound braid attached to 40lb Yozuri Fluorocarbon leader. This set up will give you enough backbone to pull fish out of structure, but at same time not wear you out casting all day. My target locations are seawalls, bridges and docks. When throwing our artificial lures we get parallel to the seawall or dock making sure the lure gets as close to the structure as possible. If we are not having the luck with the lures it’s time to bring out Mister Mullet.

kayak fishing charter during snook season

Kayak Fishing Charters during Snook Season in Florida

After a long summer of only catch and release September 1st 2017 marks the start of Snook season. From the first until December 14th anglers are allowed to harvest one Snook in the slot size of 28-32 inches on the Atlantic side of Florida. Snook are one of the tastiest inshore species and Kayak anglers along the east coast of Florida anxiously wait for this time period. Booking a kayak fishing charter during this time will put the odds in your favor to bring home a great meal.

 

Snook season kayak fishing charter

To Catch a Snook in season is relatively easy, but getting one in the slot is the tricky part. Luckily at this time also marks the start of the mullet bait run. Live mullet are readily available to cast net and used for bait. Finger mullet (3-5 inches) I find are the right size to entice a slot sized Snook while on a kayak fishing charter. Don’t overlook using your typical artificial baits as well. I love throwing DOA shad tails and swimbaits in the 3-5 inch range.

My target locations to catch a Snook in the slot are going to be seawalls, bridges and docks near the inlet. These are easy ambush spots for Snook moving out of the inlets from their summer spawn. When I am throwing artificial lures or live bait I get parallel to the seawall or dock making sure that the bait is as close to the structure as it can be. I will then work the area with a few casts and then keep moving. Targeting areas with the most current has always proven to be the best bet to catch a Snook.

 

To Learn more or to book your trip today click on the link below, Brian is always ready to answer any question you may have & help you get the best catch for your buck!