The florida snook season opens on september 1 on both the atlantic and gulf coasts. A really harsh cold winter would probably do more damage to snook populations than a red tide or blue green algae bloom if i had to guess. Snook season opens september 1st florida sportsman. Feb 19, 2020 snook, redfish and seatrout are three of the most popular coastal species in southwest florida, and their populations were decimated by the red tide in some areas. Boca grande charlotte harbor, florida tarpon, snook and redfish fishing season gulf coast fishing season. The snook population decreased so dramatically that snook was banned from gulf fisheries for three years by state officials, to allow the snook population to replenish. The fall installment of the snook season in florida waters opens sept. The spring season for snook on florida s east coast runs from feb. During the open season, anglers possessing a florida saltwater fishing license and snook stamp may keep one fish per day, as long as it is between 28 and 32 inches in length, measured from the chin to the tip of the tail total length. Bag limit set at four snook per day, eight snook possession limit. Snook to reopen in floridas gulf waters salt water. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission announces the recreational harvest season for snook on floridas gulf coast opened at midnight today march 1. Fwc extends ban on snook, red fish and spotted seatrout. Mar 01, 2014 the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission announces the recreational harvest season for snook on floridas gulf coast opened at midnight today march 1.
Florida snook season opens on september 1 salt water. Snook fishing in fort pierce, fl the best out of 64 charter fishing deals in fort pierce enter dates to check availability. Snook season on floridas west coast reopens on march 1, including everglades national park and monroe county. No commercial harvest or sale of snook is permitted. Feb 22, 2017 snook season reopens march 1 in florida. It is time to get out there and make sure that you are geared up to catch the old linesider. On floridas gulf coast, snook are catchandrelease only from gordon pass in south naples up to the pasco county line through august 31, 2020 due to stress on the population from a previous red tide outbreak. Not since 2009 have anglers along floridas west coast been permitted to catch and eat the common snook, but the last day of that closure will be august 31. How to catch summer snook on the beach tackle crafters. Snook season on florida s west coast reopens on march 1, including everglades national park and monroe county. Most guides will tell you tarpon season is may and june. Boca grande charlotte harbor, florida tarpon, snook and redfish fishing season gulf coast fishing season most guides will tell you tarpon season is may and june. Snook season is open and i have never eaten snook before.
Rich in a hunt for giant snook off the east florida coast. The recreational harvest season for snook starts september 1st statewide. In the state of florida snook is regulated by two regions, atlantic and the gulf of mexico. Officials with the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission are reminding snook fishing enthusiasts of the season s impending ending. However, there does come a time each yearusually around springwhen anglers are allowed to keep one snook between 2833 in length. Anglers fishing in floridas gulf of mexico, everglades national park and monroe county coastal and inland waters may now keep one snook per day between 28 and 33 inches in length. Snook season on the atlantic coast of florida opens on sept. Snook season is closed december 1 through the end of february. Red tide leads florida to alter fishing rules for snook and. Snook fishing in florida florida fishing charters florida. The snook is a prized fish amongst anglers in the st.
A snook can be identified by its underslung lower jaw, large fins, distinctive body shape, tapered head and snout, and most easily identifiable factor, a black stripe running across the full length of the fishs lateral line. My longtime friend and retired snook biologist ron taylor, from florida fish and wildlife, learned from telemetry tracking data that as many as onethird of a breeding stock of snook skip their annual spawn. September 1 marked the much awaited and somewhat controversial opening of the recreational snook season on floridas gulf coast. No snook less than 26 inches fork length may be taken in june or july during 19821986. Saltwater experience ryan nitz and the giant snook. Snook season, one of floridas most popular fishing seasons, opens. Snook season opens march 1st april 30th and september 1st november 30th. The summer closure is aimed at protecting spawning fish. Red tide leads florida to alter fishing rules for snook.
Unique to the region, snook are one of the many reasons florida is the fishing capital of the world. Recreational snook harvesting will be allowed in state waters of the gulf. While may and june are great months to fish for tarpon, by following the migration my tarpon season runs from late february all of the way through the end of november. I know there have been many threads on this topic, but now that snook season is a 4 months away, im wondering what everyones thoughts are. Tom greene, owner of tom greene custom rod and gun in fort lauderdale, is a veteran southeast florida snook guru. Snook season florida miami fishing guidemiami fishing guide.
Well, anglers on the east coast have only five days left to keep a snook this season, and then both coasts of florida will have to wait until september 1st to hook. He swears that holding and working the rod while trolling will almost always outcatch straight deadpulling a plug from a rod holder. The atlantic region east coast of florida season is closed december 15th january 31st and june 1st august 31st. Spawning typically occurs in nearshore waters with high salinities. Snook fishing in florida is catchandrelease throughout much of year. Aug 24, 2017 all set for start of snook season sept. The winter closure is intended to protect the fish during cold months when they may be lethargic. The gulf snook season now prevents keeping a snook between december 1 and the end of february and between may 1 and august 31. Snook fishing how to catch snook august 14, 2015 0 the common snook centropomous undecimalis is a member of the snook family that has 4 other species of. Snook season reopens march 1 in florida naples daily news.
In most places, federal waters extend from where state waters end out to about 200 nautical miles or to where other countrys waters begin. Aug 29, 2016 the recreational harvest season for snook starts september 1st statewide. But im all for catch and release snook fishing, it gives more slot size fish the chance to keep growing to be monsters, and allows them to keep reproducing. Snook season reopens including gulf coast for florida. The recreational harvest season for snook in florida starts sept. The south florida snook population took a large hit in january 2010 when prolonged cold weather caused a massive cold kill. Anglers can also report and record their catch data by using the angler. On florida s gulf coast, snook are catchandrelease only from gordon pass in south naples up to the pasco county line through august 31, 2020 due to stress on the population from a previous red tide outbreak. Florida snook season opens on september 1 salt water sportsman. Sep 17, 2015 after receiving many questions about how to catch snook since launching salt strong, i thought an article like this that highlights important shortcuts to catching snook in florida would be helpful for many saltwater anglers to increase the amount of snook caught per hour of fishing. The recreational harvest season for one of floridas premier fish, snook, reopens to harvest march 1, 2018 in floridas gulf of mexico state and adjacent federal waters, including everglades national park and monroe county. Snook fishing in floridalike tarpon fishing is not for just anyone interested in fishing florida.
One big money bass tournament this season is in the books, but four more will fish florida lakes before the end of february. Florida sportsman s 50 favorite sportfish of florida. Snook season for southwest florida typically starts sept. Than again, when snook fishing in florida conditions are off, you are better off fishing other florida gamefish. On may 1, snook season will close in the gulf of mexicos state, federal and inland waters, including all of monroe county and everglades national park, according to an fwc news release. Conditions were not great for snook until after dark. The maps below detail important fishing boundaries and management zones. When choosing to release a fish, the fwc encourages anglers to handle it carefully to help the fish survive upon release. The season remains open until midnight, december 15. It can be ferocious when it is feeding, fickle when it is not. Officials with the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission are reminding snook fishing enthusiasts of the seasons impending ending. Fort myers, florida fishing seasons most guides will tell you tarpon season is may and june.
The atlantic region east coast of florida must be 28. Snook season is open for eastern florida anglers florida today. The recreational harvest season for one of floridas premier fish, snook, is open march and april and again september thru november in floridas gulf of mexico state and adjacent federal waters, including everglades national park and monroe county. Snook fishing in florida like tarpon fishing is not for just anyone interested in fishing florida. Tarpon fishing season fort myers tarpon fishing charters.
Snook season off floridas west coast to end soon local. The common snooks spawning season appears to span the months of april to october, with the peak spawning occurring during july and august. Aug 25, 2014 the florida snook season opens on september 1 on both the atlantic and gulf coasts. Jan 02, 2018 we catch large female snook yearround trolling the rivers of fort lauderdale and miami. However, its the opening of snook on the gulf coast that is the really big news for saltwater anglers around the state. Well the time has come and west coast snook season is upon us. Allen applegarth email protected allen applegarth is the author of the recently published book, florida fishing. Snook to reopen in floridas gulf waters salt water sportsman. While the florida snook fishery is already more than 90 percent catchandrelease, the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc encourages anglers to continue to use moderation when determining whether or not to take snook. Popular snook fishing charters in fort pierce, florida.
While there is no question that when fishing florida snook and the bite is on, there is no fish in florida that has more to offer. Regulations apply in state and adjacent federal waters. Helpful guide to floridas snook season and regulations. Snook season is open again the spring season for snook on florida s east coast. Catch and release snook, red and trout extended florida. The gulf of mexico region west coast of florida is closed december 1st end of february and may 1st august 31st. Snook season in atlantic closing in 5 days the online fisherman. Snook harvest seasonal closure in most gulf waters starts dec. The end of an unprecedented harvest closure for one of floridas premiere gamefish is now approaching at long last. The common snook is a protandric hermaphrodite fish species.
Snook, redfish and seatrout are three of the most popular coastal species in southwest florida, and their populations were decimated by the red tide in. While may and june are great months to fish for tarpon, by following the migration my season runs from late february all of the way through the end of november. Its that time of the yearthe off season spots are now filled with anglers lusting for. Check out some of our favorite moments from the 2019 season of saltwater experience. Florida wildlife officials took the extraordinary step thursday of changing fishing rules for snook and redfish in areas hit hard by a devastating red tide just ahead of the snook season opening. Howto catch articles and videos, wheres the bite, regulations, and more. Mar 15, 2018 snook season is here on the west coast of florida. Snook fishing how to catch snook fishing from florida.
Fwc says red tides impact on these fish is greater than expected, with population levels low. Florida state waters are from shore to 3 nautical miles on the atlantic and from shore to 9 nautical miles on the gulf. Snook season opens february 1st may 31st and september 1st december 14th. Anglers may continue to catch and release snook during the closed season. Sep 02, 2017 snook season is open and i have never eaten snook before. The catch and release ban will give the fishery a chance to bounce back. If the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission was worried about spreading news of the redfish and snook closure, anglers certainly took care of that. Snook outside of that area will reopen to harvest march 1, 2019. Aug 30, 2018 snook season for southwest florida typically starts sept. Snook fishing in south florida rivers and canals sport. When and if things return to normal, here are the regulations. The snook population has grown steadily in florida through the years thanks largely to the protective rules developed by the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc.
184 1285 484 974 128 964 260 119 191 1070 1487 1137 745 1377 832 1615 1093 1365 1623 568 268 567 278 692 1204 496 82 1672 1184 1203 952 868 339 1309 154 265 551 433 1441