Cold water snook bite

[Aswaff400]

Ever since joined here...have heard there is no finer fish on the table than the snook.

And of course, being from Carolina....never had the pleasure.

Any idea from the state when they will open again

Scott,
Ask Aaron about Gramps (right Aaron?).  Cruises the canal that Aaron's marina's transient docks are on...

Actually, I think she's a female...and big!

oh yeah! she's easily pushing  40 inches, ive seen her hanging around with some small tarpon around some underwater lights

[seabob4]

Ever since joined here...have heard there is no finer fish on the table than the snook.

And of course, being from Carolina....never had the pleasure.

Any idea from the state when they will open again

Scott,
Ask Aaron about Gramps (right Aaron?).  Cruises the canal that Aaron's marina's transient docks are on...

Actually, I think she's a female...and big!

oh yeah! she's easily pushing  40 inches, ive seen her hanging around with some small tarpon around some underwater lights

If you guys know Dave Brown, writes (or used to write) for FS, he tried casting to her a few years ago...threw his effin lure into the mangroves on the other side...fishing writer, and dumb SOB doesn't know to pitch the bait...little underhand toss, and you're at the mangrove roots...drag it back...oh yeah!

[Capt Matt]

When snook season finally reopens Sept 1st 2012 on the Gulf coast of FL for the first time in two years my first keeper will taste extra good, although after my first round of  crispy snook taco's with black bean-mango salsa on home made tortilla's I will be over it, I honestly prefer flounder, tripletail and gag grouper to eat. Part of the reason snook taste so good is because getting one in that 5 inch slot during open season is almost like winning the lotto.
If the FWC kept snook season closed for another 5 yrs I would not be upset, I think it would be great for the fishery in the long run. Personally I think of these fish as just too valuable to be table fair and this is coming from someone that has eaten hundreds of snook in there life.
Big snook of 30 inches plus are a awesome gamefish and almost as much fun to catch as my all time favorite the Tarpon.
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

Matt,
If I get a decent sized flounder, that becomes a fried fish sandwich (corn meal batter) as soon as I get home!  People give me chit about preparing flounder this way, but, HEY, it's my fish!!  Tripletail, agree with you there...

Little baby mangos baked, salt/pepper and basted with butter are pretty damn good also...  

[Blue Agave]

If the FWC kept snook season closed for another 5 yrs I would not be upset, I think it would be great for the fishery in the long run. Personally I think of these fish as just too valuable to be table fair and this is coming from someone that has eaten hundreds of snook in there life.
Capt Matt

Being that you are a guide I can certainly understand and respect your position, but it is my opinion that the current closure and/or any additional closure is completely unnecessary. The state of Florida has a freeze every 10-12 years and this is Mother Nature's way of keeping the eco-systems in check.  I've had no problem catching short, slot, and over slot snook when I have targeted them since the last freeze in 2010.  I'm all for the protection of this valuable resource and based on my experiences not only on Tampa Bay, but on Charolette Harbor and the Ten Thousand Islands it is my opinion that the snook population is healthy.  The current regulations in place will more than insure that our great grandchildren will be catching snook.  

I look forward to September of this year.

[slvrlng]

Hey Matt, are you booked for September 1,2012 yet?

[Capt Matt]

Lewis I'm open Sept 1st right now.
Blue Agave
Your so right about the snook population, the freeze and fish kills just make the gene pool of the fish stronger. We have lots of snook and although lots died its all part of natures plan. The summer after the big kill was a banner time,  catching a few even over that magic 40 inch 20 pound mark. Mornings of 30 plus snook caught and released where common if the tides where right.
How the FWC even comes up with a count on snook blows my mind, They must always estimate really low
 Capt Matt

[Capt Matt]

Hard to beat that fried fish..

[Blue Agave]

How the FWC even comes up with a count on snook blows my mind, They must always estimate really low
 Capt Matt

I completely agree that the process of collecting data is completely flawed, especially the FEDS.  The Red Snapper and Gag Grouper fishing is at the best it's been in quite some time yet the FEDS have those species on lock down.  One can only hope that they devise a better way to collect data.

[Aswaff400]

How the FWC even comes up with a count on snook blows my mind, They must always estimate really low
 Capt Matt

I completely agree that the process of collecting data is completely flawed, especially the FEDS.  The Red Snapper and Gag Grouper fishing is at the best it's been in quite some time yet the FEDS have those species on lock down.  One can only hope that they devise a better way to collect data.

yup... the season after the freeze in '10, i went out and chummed a bunch of docks around the corner from the house, i counted at least 50 to 75 snook total under 5 docks... some where MASSIVE!!!

uploaded this video sept 14, 2010... took on a old camera phone, doesn't show well...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnkw7_crJBM

[Blue Agave]

Aaron, I believe I know where you shot that video.  Lots of snook in those canals.

[seabob4]

Aaron, I believe I know where you shot that video.  Lots of snook in those canals.

Lots of snook all over Tampa and Sarasota Bays!  I mean, the fishery was in trouble a WHOLE bunch of years ago, but thanks to a lot of effort by a lot of parties, it seems in fine shape now.  

Kinda like gators and gopher turtles...  

[Capt Matt]

Having gag grouper closed to recreational fisherman till the end of March is even worse than the snook regulations, We catch lots of them all over the sound this time of year, Releasing a 26 inch Gag in the bay breaks my heart. There is certainly no shortage of them.
Commercial guys get 95% of the grouper, those fish belong to everyone. Commercial fishing is not like farming you don't even have to plant for the following year.
Capt Matt