Fish Facts—Snook

This article is a list of facts about snook.

• There are five different species of snook that inhabit Florida waters: common snook, small-scale fat snook, large-scale fat snook, swordspine snook, and tarpon snook.
  
• The most abundant of the five species, the common snook, was once designated as a species of special concern in Florida. Among other causes, good management and conservation measures have led to removal of this designation. The common snook will be the focus for the rest of this list.
  
• Snook are also known as robalo, linesiders, and sergeant fish. In the past they were known as "soapfish" when some sections of the "soapy" tasting skin were left on the fillets due to poor cleaning practices.
  
• Snook can tolerate a wide range of salinity and may be found in fresh water. However, they are extremely sensitive to temperature and a strong, fast moving cold front through an area containing snook may claim many lives due to the rapid drop in water temperature.
  
• Long term tagging research has been carried out over the past several years and has proven to be a valuable tool in helping to understand the life history of snook.
  
• Snook are protandric hermaphrodites and change sex from male to female. The actual cause of the change is not known, but current research may provide an answer.
  
• Snook are known as "ambush feeders" meaning that they'll surprise attack their prey as it swims or moves into range. This occurs especially at the mouths of inlets where currents play a role while the snook waits in hiding behind bridge pilings, rocks, or other submerged structures.
  
• Besides preying on small fish, snook also feed on shrimp, crabs, and mollusks.
  
• Snook are very popular with recreational anglers due to their strong fighting spirit and mild, delicate flavor.

STATE RECORDS FOR COMMON SNOOK
Conventional Tackle	44 lb, 3 oz, Ft. Myers: Robert De Cosmo, 4/25/1984
Fly Fishing Tackle	30 lb, 4 oz, Chokoloskee: Rex Garrett, 4/23/1993

REMARKS

• snook permit required when saltwater license is required
• illegal to buy or sell snook

For saltwater fishing regulations, please visit the Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Web site, Chapter 68-FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION located at:https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68B-21

Each year in Florida, snook are carefully managed because of the high fishing pressure they receive from recreational anglers. For an inside look at the numbers, practices, and other interesting information have a look at Ronald G. Taylor's Management of Common Snook in Florida and Catch and Release Fishing, articles, as well as Robert G. Muller and Michael D. Murphy's most current assessment of the snook population, located on this Web site.

For some great tips on snook fishing, have a look at Taylor's Sketch of the Common Snook in Florida located on this Web site.

Who is Save the Tarpon?

Who is Save the Tarpon?

We are stewards of the Boca Grande tarpon fishery and
proponents of ethical angling.

Save the Tarpon, Inc. is a Florida non-profit corporation created to advocate for ethical angling and promote the stewardship of the Boca Grande Pass tarpon fishery.  We believe in the use of responsible, conservation oriented fishing and handling techniques by anglers as well as preserving fair and equal access for all users in order to protect this historically and culturally significant fishery.

Our mission is to protect & preserve the tarpon and their habitat.

We strongly oppose, and call for the immediate termination of, the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series (PTTS) in Boca Grande, Florida.  Our opposition stems from the destructive, unethical fishing practices and unsportsmanlike conduct promoted by this six week long, for-profit fishing tournament television show.  We believe the disruptive fishing methods endorsed by the PTTS and employed by its participants are likely causing the tarpon to change their movement, feeding, and spawning behaviors and is threatening the survival of  the fishery.  The hyper-aggressive culture of disrespect created by the PTTS has, and continues to severely hinder fair and equal access to the fishery by all other user groups for the sole purpose of generating increased revenue for shareholders of the tournament and its associated production.