Snookie Time

It’s time to get a little snookie, and I ain’t talking about the Jersey Shore! Snook season is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. With several recent years of warm winters under our belt, the stocks of snook in our area have skyrocketed. Typically, we are considered the north end of the snook range, but these warm spells have put us in a different category.

Sure everyone enjoys a snooklet from any stretch of the lagoon, but we are talking about the big dogs that will make your heart race and put your tackle to the test. For that action, the beaches, Port Canaveral and areas around Sebastian Inlet are the mecca for kayak anglers to test their skills on a big linesider.

As the summer spawn draws to a close these fish go on a hard feed. The fall mullet run presents the perfect opportunity to pack on pounds for the upcoming winter time of lean living. The activity of their spawn in the inlets and beaches leaves our snook in prime position to take advantage of mullet on the move. Look for the best kayak action to take place off the beaches and in Port Canaveral, or on the lagoon side of Sebastian. The inlet proper is no place for any kayak and one must be very alert in Port Canaveral due to the continuous vessel activity. The best action will come from large baits like mullet, croakers, pinfish and pogies fished on heavy gear around structure.

For the beach fish, we like to toss live baits as close to the beach as we can and this scenario is great for lures too. Lipped plugs, large plastics and even topwater lures can get you some violent hits. One of the best opportunities for a quick kayak session is those same lures at night along the shadow lines of Port Canaveral. The low seating of a kayak helps you send those offerings well under the wharfs that line Port Canaveral. The light in top of said wharfs create ambush points that can produce some amazing fishing and this will only get better as the mullet run kicks into full gear.

Grab that kayak, dust off that “heavy” gear and get to snookin!