Fishing
Resources and information about fishing on the island
The Basics
After years of fishing on the island, the short and simple list of gear and techniques are captured in the sections below.
- Snook Slayer Jig
- Swim Bait
- Fluke
- X-Rap
- DOA Shrimp
- MirrOlure
- Grouper Jig
- Braided Line
- Fluorocarbon Leader
- Knots
- Scissors and Forceps
Snook Slayer Jig
Species: Snook
Presentation Method:
Cast and retrieve with various rhythms. Most effective is the ‘scoot and twitch’ which involves allowing the bait to reach the bottom, and then a quick reeling, pause, a couple of short twitches, then another quick reeling.
Notes:
Be sure to use fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs due to sharp gill plates and rough teeth. Always ‘lip’ a snook (put your thumb in the mouth and grip). Never try to put your fingers in the gills. Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
Swim Bait
Species: Snook
Presentation Method:
Most effective presentation is simply a cast and reel with a medium speed retrieval. Varying the retrieval speed and depth may be necessary if you see a lot of snook following but not hitting the lure.
Notes:
White on white color scheme is best for snook. Be sure to use fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs due to sharp gill plates and rough teeth. Always ‘lip’ a snook (put your thumb in the mouth and grip). Never try to put your fingers in the gills. Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
Fluke
Species: Snook
Presentation Method:
Cast and retrieve with the fluke just skimming on the surface. Varying the speed can induce strikes. At times, a reel, stop, and twitch action can be effective.
Notes:
Again, a white bait is often best for snook. Be sure to use fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs due to sharp gill plates and rough teeth. Always ‘lip’ a snook (put your thumb in the mouth and grip). Never try to put your fingers in the gills. Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
X-Rap
Species: Snook
Presentation Method:
Most effective presentation is simply a cast and reel with a medium speed retrieval. Varying the retrieval speed may be necessary if you see a lot of snook following but not hitting the lure.
Notes:
The glass ghost color is best for snook. Be sure to use fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs due to sharp gill plates and rough teeth. Always ‘lip’ a snook (put your thumb in the mouth and grip). Never try to put your fingers in the gills. Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
D.O.A. Shrimp
Species: Sea Trout/Snook
Presentation Method:
Cast, allow to sink nearly to the bottom grass. Three quick twitches. Allow to sink back nearly to the bottom grass. Repeat during the retrieval.
Notes:
Wade into the water up to your waist near grass flats. You may use natural shrimp colors, but the glow white seems to work best. For trout, you may use 2o lb fluorocarbon leader. Trout can be safely handled from the top of their body. Given the trout Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
MirrOlure
Species: Trout/Snook
Presentation Method:
Cast, allow to sink nearly to the bottom grass. Three quick twitches. Allow to sink back nearly to the bottom grass. Repeat during the retrieval.
Notes:
Wade into the water up to your waist near grass flats. For trout, you may use 2o lb fluorocarbon leader. Trout can be safely handled from the top of their body. Given the trout Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
Grouper Jig
Species: Small Gag Grouper
Presentation Method:
Flip the jig around dock pilings or other underwater hard structure. Either jig up and let the jig fall or scoot the jig with quick reels.
Notes:
Be sure you have permission or legitimate access to any dock you are fishing. Set your drag very tight and quickly lift and power the grouper up to keep them from running into cover or cutting your leader on pilings. Handle grouper carefully as their gills and dorsal fins are sharp. Always abide by catch and release and seasonal fishing rules and regulations.
Braided Line
Species: All
Notes:
Spool spinning gear with 30 lb braid line. Braided line is preferrable over monofilament for durability as many times the line hits the barnacles on pilings. While braid is not invincible to those encounters, it is much better equipped to deal with those situations. Special knots are used to join braided line to the fluorocarbon leader (see Knots section below).
Fluorocarbon Leader
Species: All
Notes:
A durable leader line of around 4 feet is critical to successful fishing on the island. Leader line not only allows the fish to not see the line connecting to the lure but provides protection against the snooks sharp gill plates and sandpaper like teeth. Snook are very visual and cautious fish, so using a quality leader will significantly improve catch rates.
Scissors and Foreceps
Species: All
Notes:
These two tools are also critical to a successful fishing. The scissors are used to cut braided and leader line as the fisherman will have to retie lures and leader over and over as lures are lost, leader is frayed or is no longer long enough to serve its function. Forceps are used to reach into fishes mouths to remove lures that are swallowed deeply or hooks imbedded in hard jaw bones of big fish.
Knots
Species: All
Notes:
There are two simple knots needed when using the above equipment and lures. Click the link to view the YouTube video explanations of each knot.
- Braid to Leader – Joining braided line to fluorocarbon leader requires a special knot to avoid slipping. Click HERE to view the instructions on tying this knot.
- Leader to Lure – This loop type knot is helpful to allow the lure to generate as much wiggle and movement as possible. Click HERE to view the instructions on tying this knot.
