As the calendar moves toward Spring, the world turns to thoughts of love. You know, birds, bees, flowers, trees? Yeah, well Snook are no different. If you were to look at the photo history on our blog page photo slider, you can see the size of the snook getting larger beginning in April, and really hitting the peak monster momma size in June. That increase in size corresponds with the larger females who move into the passes between barrier islands during that time of year to prepare for and to eventually spawn. After the viscous red tide of last year, it was really hard to know what impact that would have on the numbers of returning Snook this year. Well so far, I can report that while the numbers are not what they seemed last year, there definitely are some bigger fish starting to show up for the dance of love.
For the last few weeks, I have spent limited time fishing. I ended up with the flu (or bubonic plague) several weeks back, but had to work through it so I did not rest as I should have, and that work trip did not have a time to visit the doctor to get whatever a person gets for the flu to help them speed recovery. However, given the proper rest and nurturing from a loving wife (who I originally gave the flu to before I knew I was sick – see my opening line of this blog – sorry honey), had recovered to an 85% estimated energy level last week and decided to hit the water. Mental healing and outlook has a bearing of recovery from illness I believe. And salt water therapy was certainly needed at that point.
Due to a series of low tides during my recreation time (after dark) the water levels in the areas I fish were lower. Having a bit less water is usually good for fishing as the predators know their quarry have less water to evade them. So the turn of a tide when the water level begins to rise, the fish all seem to know it is time to go on the hunt. However, if the water level remains too low (high tide is not high enough) the Snook will be on heightened alert. You can see them positioned near the bottom waiting for something to eat, but they are easily spooked by any unnatural things going on around them. This would include any artificial bait in most cases, which leads to a lot of nothing for a fisherman. And to make matters worse, when I was seeing some of the sizes of the Snook around, it made the frustration even worse as I emptied my arsenal on them.
I decided to move away from the swim bait that had been working somewhat prior to my near death experience with the flu, and go for the jigs that were so effective last spring. I had a few store bought jigs left in my bag, so I gave them a shot. I quickly found the Snook liked that style of approach and hooked a few, and eventually lost the three remaining store bought jigs. I did not have my home made Snook Slayer jigs with me as they were all tied on poles back at the house. I had been of a mind to make more anyway, remembering that last Spring was the time the big mommas really began to prefer the jig to the other offerings we were making. So back to the shop (well my desk) I went to tie up some nice jigs from the stack of jig heads we made. A little synthetic buck tail hair, a little tinsel some eyes, and there we go. But would they fool this finicky Snook was the question. So off I went to see what I could see (no bears or mountains were involved, just salt water and Snook).
When I arrived at the fishing spot, it was apparent that the Ladyfish had returned, and in huge numbers. The formerly constant splashing in the dark of schools of feeding Ladyfish had ceased during the red tide. Their absence had created an imbalance in the food chain that had resulted in the dolphin resorting to patrolling the docks at night and attacking the Snook as they hid under the docks for protection. After I determined that Ladyfish like the Snook Slayer, I did manage to catch a few Snook as well. I even managed to catch a Redfish or two (and even a catfish) – very gratifying. Ladyfish are the ultimate test for durability of jigs (store bought jigs last for about three Ladyfish before they are stripped of their hair). After a dozen or so Ladyfish, I was pleased to find that my new tying and gluing method for the hair and clear coat for the head and eyes, was holding up beyond my expectations. However, could I fool big momma snook?
I decided to have a look of the landscape from a dock for which Jason had permission to fish. I decided that while Jason was not there, as a fellow Snook Brother, a quick look around didn’t seem to be too far out of bounds. I am sure Jason would back me up if any issue were to arise. But hey, trespassing is a big thing on these docks, and a person (or persons) might be called to account for being seen by security cameras on a dock without permission, even if they were quite confident they had permission in the first place. Well, that is a story for another time. Just know that Jason and I have been very careful to not violate anyone’s confidence or privacy, and any misunderstanding of access permission that may have happened were made under innocent circumstances, and made with good intentions.
In any case, I decided to venture out and have a look around. Under the lights, normally you can see if there are any shadowy figures down there lurking around. I saw none but a few Ladyfish swimming around. Just to be sure I was not missing something, I tossed the jig out for a few runs through the likely holding areas for Snook. Nothing happening. As I was about to pack it up and call it a lost cause, a large Snook came out from under the dock to have a look at my jig as I pulled it out of the water. Well, where were you hiding big momma? Of course, that kind of interest is most often just a reaction to something in the water which usually results in a couple of curious looks before they lose interest, knowing that the jig is not alive and is just some human trying to fool them again. Of course that does not keep me from normally continuing to tease them anyway in hopes they have a weak moment (you know it only takes one).
So tease I did, and on the third flirty pass by the dock pilings here she came once again and sucked in the Snook Slayer! It is said that in moments of extreme stress, events seem to go in slow motion. There is no slow motion like the two seconds watching a big momma Snook lock on to your lure and slowly approach it from behind and deciding to inhale. During that eternity it is very easy to set the hook before the fish has even reached the bait and pull it right out from in front of their noses. Wait for it, wait for it, boom! Now as I have described before, the challenge of hooking a big Snook from a dock is like a street brawl. No holds barred and the Snook has all the advantages and weapons. Pilings, barnacles, sharp gill plates, power, leaping ability, soft mouth tissue, all on their home turf. The only tools at the fisherman’s disposal are experience, strength, a 30 pound leader, and a stout 4/0 Gamakatsu hook.
As with most big Snook, it seems their first reaction is a disbelief and confusion that there is something in their mouths that does not belong there. That brief hesitation gave me the first advantage as I raised her head up so that her power was pointed upward, not toward the dangers of the dock pilings. Once they are headed that way, their panic will drive them straight forward under the dock, around the pilings, game over. Up she came and thrashed about on top for a bit, still stunned from the little white surprise lodged in her mouth. But like a good heavy weight fighter, while momentarily stunned from a good left cross, she quickly recovered her bearings and decided to counter punch. Hopeful to put this fight to a quick end, she ran this way and that with all of her might. I applied as much pressure to her as I could to keep bringing her head up to avoid the seemingly inevitable leverage she would gain to go where she wanted. Again and again, I strained my pole and line to the breaking point to counter her direction and intentions. She made a good long run out to the open water, which is often the only saving grace, as she exerted one last major burst of energy. Once I absorbed that shot, I decided to have a go at heading her to the beach. There is risk at this point because this involves turning her head toward the beach which is between two docks, giving her the opportunity to make a break for it left or right with little likely outcome other than a Snook under the pilings.
Fortunately, with all of the power and strength of the pole, line, knots, and hooks holding up, I managed to muscle her onto the beach before she could make her last desperate run for freedom. There she was in all her magnificence. With no cameraman to take a proper picture, I decided to measure her against my pole for later accurate measurement. I also placed the Snook Slayer on her side (as seen in the cover photo for this blog) to give perspective. The 5” jig looked so tiny compared to the fish, I thought that would make the scale clear (scale is a fish pun in case you missed it). So there you have it, the story of the big one that (didn’t) got away. I did hook a big momma on my fly rod from the same dock a couple of nights later, and after a valiant effort on my part, that big one did get away. You can’t catch them all, but is sure is fun trying!
David