Welcome to the world of fly fishing for snook! Snook are another favorite target of fly anglers, offering rod-jolting strikes and acrobatic fights. Plus, they just look cool.

Snook can be found in many warm-water climates and can tolerate brackish water. Their habitat is vast, which in turn gives us anglers a variety of environments in which to target them. Where we target them will alter how we fish for them, but wherever we are, they offer an exhilarating fight on the fly rod.

In this guide we’ll explore the ins and outs of fly fishing tactics tailored to different snook habitats, equipment essentials, fly patterns, and casting techniques. Snook are one of my favorite species to target, and by the end of this article you’ll be armed with everything you need to get hooked up to these gorgeous creatures.

For more on saltwater fly fishing, check out The Beginner’s Guide to Saltwater Flats Fly Fishing

What are Snook?

Snook, scientifically known as Centropomus undecimalis, are a species of predatory fish found in warm coastal waters, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and along the Atlantic coast of Florida. 

They are known for their sleek, elongated bodies, distinct lateral line, and protruding lower jaw. Snook are prized by anglers for their strong fighting abilities and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They primarily feed on small fish, shrimp, and crustaceans, often lurking near structure such as mangroves, docks, and bridges to ambush their prey. 

Able to adapt to both freshwater and saltwater environments, snook are a popular target for anglers in various fishing conditions in a variety of environments.

Snook Environments

Snook range all around the Atlantic side of both North and South America, preferring warmer waters above 65 degrees. They live as far north as North Carolina and as far south as Brazil, though the most dense population is Florida and Mexico. 

Snook can live in many depths of water, though we generally target them with a fly rod in the shallow waters. They thrive along mangrove shorelines, and coastal flats and are known to be strongly attracted to structure like docks and bridges. Fly fishing for snook is prime in any shallow water area with structure.

When targeting snook in these different environments, we need to change our tactics depending on where we are fishing. While there are some notable differences in snook activity and behavior in different environments, the common element across all is moving water. Current almost always must present for snook to feed (similar to other saltwater gamefish) and they become inactive with the tide goes slack.

We’ll dive into the specifics of targeting snook in mangroves, flats, beaches, docks, and bridges.

Targeting Snook in Backcountry Mangroves

Snook are notorious for roaming the backcountry mangroves. They’ll hunt for prey deep into the roots when tides are high and come out to feed when the water is low and mangroves are too shallow to swim into. 

Sometimes you’ll be able to see snook holding up behind the roots, though you won’t see them swimming around as actively. They’ve been characterized as “wandering drunks” which I’ve found to be accurate, knowing that they’ll sometimes venture out of the mangroves, but are more commonly hunkered down in their spots where they’re comfortable and the beer/prey is easy to consume.

While snook will roam mangroves to feed, I’ve found them more willing to strike when they are hiding behind the roots waiting for their prey to come to them. This in turn makes blind-casting more effective, landing flies into likely holding spots for snook as opposed to the hunting/stalking technique for bonefish or redfish. If you’ve ever been fishing for largemouth bass, it’s a very similar style.

Targeting Snook in Coastal Flats

Targeting snook in the coastal flats is a combination of sight-fishing and blind casting. 

When blind-casting, target potholes or other areas teeming with baitfish. Birds can be a good indicator of feeding snook, signaling that they’re actively feeding. Similar to fishing the mangroves, land your flies in ambush areas where a snook could lurking awaiting an easy meal.

When sight-fishing, wait for the sun to be as overhead as you can. Bright sunlight is very helpful in illuminating any gamefish, not just snook. You’ll oftentimes see them cruising the flats (sometimes in schools) in search of prey and when you see this, they won’t be picky. A meal is a meal to a snook and landing a tasty fly in front of their face will likely elicit a strike.

Targeting Snook on the Beach

Snook often cruise the beach, inlets, and sandy shores in search of prey. This is a fantastic way to fish for snook, as you can cover a ton of water and don’t need a boat to catch them. Simply walk along the beach and look for signs of feeding fish or cruising snook.  It’s also a great excuse to take your girlfriend out for walk on the beach, little does she know that fishing is actually the main activity.

If you don’t see many baitfish around and are looking specifically for snook, I’ve noticed that they are surprisingly close to the shoreline. As the waves crash, it brings in water and washes up onto the beach, so snook will often hang at the crest of where waves hit the beach. One time, I nearly stepped on a snook in 6 inches of water. They can be that close!

Snook fishing along the beaches is most active from June to early October when the water temperatures are their warmest and the super-skinny water in the backcountry is uncomfortably hot.

Targeting Snook Under Docks

As we mentioned previously, snook are notoriously structure oriented. Docks offer an opportunity to hide, stalk, and ambush their prey, making them a favorite target for anglers to pursue snook on the fly.

Docks are especially effective fishing grounds at night time. The lights from the docks attract prey, which in turn attracts the nocturnal-feeding snook. The dock itself also offers structure to ambush prey. Night-time snook fishing can be electric, just be sure you are following local regulations when doing so. 

When fishing docks, cast your flies as close to the pilings as you can. This will provide an easy opportunity for snook to ambush your fly without spending too much energy chasing it down. When fishing under the lights, cast your fly into the light itself so a lurking snook will able to see your fly. They’ll key into the illumination and your fly will appear very naturally to the snook.

Lastly, bait around docks tend to be small. Small shrimp, crabs, and baitfish gather around docks, so our flies should accordingly be on the smaller side.

Targeting Snook Under Bridges

Bridges are another key piece of structure to target snook on the fly. Bridges tend to hold bigger snook, who like to hang around larger structure in search of larger prey.

Snook like to hang deeper around bridges and the shadow lines they create during the daytime. When fishing bridges, throw larger patterns down deep with slow, methodical strips and be ready for a big bite. 

Bridges also tend to have lights around them, so nighttime fishing around bridges is also a great option. Similar to dock fishing, the lights attract snook and baitfish, so a barren bridge during the daytime can turn into a frenzy at night.

Fly Fishing Equipment for Snook

Gear for snook can range from nimble to beefy, depending on the size of fish you are targeting and where you are targeting them.

Fly Rods for Snook

Fly rods for snook can range from 7 to 11 weights depending on what environment you are targeting them. The most universal snook rod is the 9 weight. If you are snook fishing, at some point you will use every weight rod in your arsenal. 

For snook in mangroves and coastal flats, where accuracy is more important, gear up with a 7, 8, or 9 weight. Landing your fly in the nooks and crannies of mangrove roots is vital to draw out ambushing snook, so being able to accurately and softly land your fly is important. A relatively lighter weight rod, and perhaps a shorter one (less than 9 feet) can also assist in accuracy.

For snook on the beach, a 8, 9, or 10 weight rod is ideal. A beefier setup will help you land the bigger snook that tend to be found along the beaches, plus the crashing waves create a stronger current flow that we must be able to handle. 

For snook around bridges or docks, beef up your setup to a 10 or 11 weight, especially when fishing bridges. Not only are snook in these environments generally larger, we will need to be able to get them away from the structure as soon as possible. The stronger rod will be able to corral and control large snook more efficiently and help prevent breakoffs around bridge pilings. 

Fly Reels for Snook

A strong, sealed-drag reel matching the size of the rod and fly line is a must when snook fishing. 

Snook don’t necessarily go on blitzing runs, but they are strong and will pull hard. A quality, smooth drag will help slow fish down and prevent breakoffs. Reels with strong drags locked all the way down can help control fish away from sticky structure like mangrove roots, bridge pilings, and dock posts.

Fly Lines for Snook

When fishing for snook, we’re generally using floating, saltwater ready fly lines. Floating lines are necessary to keep the fly line above underwater rocks, sticks, and bushes while presenting the fly naturally so a big ol’ snook can take a bite.

Fishing sinking lines is appropriate when targeting snook around bridges. Snook around bridges generally stick closer to the bottom, so getting our fly down deep is essential. Sinking lines will help us do that more efficiently than floating lines, so having a sinking line in your arsenal when going after the big boys and girls can be useful. 

Snook Leaders

Snook are not leader shy and have notoriously rough mouths, so beefing up your leader and tippet to the 25-40 lb range is essential. Fluorocarbon is ideal given its increased resistance to abrasion.

The thick tippet will help protect against the sandpaper-y mouths of snook and will prevent breakoffs. Even small snook have tough mouths and can break off anything less than 20 lb. Additionally, be sure to check your tippet after every snook you catch, as they can wear down even the strongest of tippet very quickly.

Snook leaders are generally a little shorter than other saltwater leaders. Gear up with a 7-8 foot leader, finished with strong tippet. This will help with turning the fly over properly and increase the accuracy of your casts. Keep these leaders pretty simple, snook don’t seem to mind the thick tippet or the shortness of your system.

If fishing a sinking line, keep it very simple and go 3-4 feet of straight 40 lb leader material. This will help your fly sink at the same rate as your line and is significantly easier to cast.

Snook Flies

Snook are not known to be hyper-selective feeders, though matching the bait in the area can increase your odds of a hook-up. 

Flies mimicking shrimp, crabs, and baitfish are all on the menu when fly fishing for snook, with baitfish patterns claiming the most popular selection. Sizes can range from #1 all the way up to 3/0 depending on the baitfish in the area. In saltwater fishing, I’ve noticed that bait generally swim in huge schools and it’s relatively easy to discern the size and profile of bait in the area. 

The Clouser Minnow reigns king as the most common fly choice for snook. It’s size, profile, and action mimics a variety of forage. You can’t go wrong with chartreuse over white!

Other popular patterns include EP Baitfish, Deceivers, and Tarpon Bunnies. Deer hair bugs like the Dahlberg Diver are also popular to throw, the commotion it creates causes an instinctual reaction out of the snook.

When selecting a fly, the pattern is important (it really comes down to what you have confidence in), but the most important aspect is the sink rate. I’ve found that flies that are unweighted or very lightly weighted seem to perform the best. Flies that suspend in the water column tend to out-perform the ones that sink to the bottom immediately. 

Casting Techniques for Snook

Given the environment you’re fishing, different casting techniques become more important. However, in every situation, presenting a fly naturally is vital.

Casting for Snook in Mangroves

Accuracy, not distance, is paramount while fishing for snook in the mangroves. Landing your fly in every nook and cranny of the mangroves is not only fun, but also the best way to get snook to bite.

Snook will lay up under the mangrove roots and ambush prey. Landing your fly as close to the roots as possible will make the fly easiest to eat, which in turn is most likely to draw a strike from a lurking snook.

Short, accurate casts are of utmost importance- and a lot of them. Fishing the mangroves can be a lot of blind-casting, especially when snook are hidden deeper under the roots. Make as many of these precision casts as you can and you’ll find a hungry snook in no time. 

Casting for Snook in Coastal Flats and Beaches

Fishing for snook on the flats and beaches revolves a lot around finding bait and occasionally spotting roaming snook on the hunt. 

Accuracy is always important, though a little extra distance may be required in these situations. A double-haul is crucial to generate line speed to get the right distance, or enough energy to cut through the wind.

When you see balls of bait some distance away from you, get your fly into the action- no need for precision casts, though you will need to get your fly to the bait.

If you spot roaming snook on the flats or on the beach, lead the fish by 5 or so feet to get their attention and incite a strike. This may require some more distance to your cast, depending on how far away the snook are and which direction they’re headed. Don’t worry about the perfect cast, snook don’t spook that easily. 

Casting for Snook around Docks and Bridges

Snook’s structure oriented-ness (is that a word?) creates another situation where accuracy becomes paramount. Snook like to hold tight to the pilings and posts, and generally don’t stray too far from their ambush spots to attack prey. They can be lazy, but will strike viciously at an easy-to-consume meal. 

Get your fly as close as you can to the bridge or dock piling, let it get to the right depth, and get tension on your line. This will draw the snook out from its ambush spot and towards your fly. It’s important to have tension on your fly line as soon as you can so you’re ready to strip set hard when the strike occurs. No slack in your line!

When fishing at night around docks and bridges, I like to start at the edge of the lighted area of the water and work my way in. The spotlights are your only form of visual aid and it’s tough to know where the snook will be hanging around, so work your way in from the edges of the light and be ready at any moment! 

Conclusion

So there you have it- the lowdown on fly fishing for snook. Whether you’re casting under the mangrove roots, along the beach, or under a dock or bridge, you’re now equipped with what you need to hook into these sleek, acrobatic gamefish.

Snook have always been one of my favorite fish to target. They’re plentiful, hard-striking, and get arial when hooked. They look unlike most other fish in the sea with their big, long jaws, streamlined bodies and distinctive yellowish coloring. 

Grab your fly rod, your favorite baitfish or shrimp pattern, some thick tippet and get ready to get hooked!