snook

Question
why cant i catch a snook? is shiners a good bait, because i fish blackish water. i tried talapia and oscars and no hits.i use shiners but all i catch is bass .i see big tarpon and snook i just want to catch snook all my fish are release i just love the sport please help thank you.

Answer
Well Chino, sounds like you have the same dream as thousands of other anglers out there - to catch the wonderful and exciting snook. Hopefully I can lead you in the right direction to the promised land!
I don't know exactly the type of waters you are fishing but it sounds like you are in fertile waters if you are catching bass and seeing snook and tarpon. One of the first things that struck me in your question was the fact that you can see the snook. This means that the snook can also see you. In clear water stealth is going to be important. With the increase in fishing pressure and the fact that many snook have been caught and released at least once or twice before you get to them, fish have become more wary than ever about boats, trolling motors, unusual noises and even shadows cast by anglers. So, finding a way to get a bait to the fish without alarming them is key. A long spinning rod spooled with braided line (don't forget a mono or fluorocarbon leader) will allow for long casts. Also keep in mind that snook are ambush feeders and don't like to work too hard for a meal. They might be stationed in an area but they won't be actively feeding until the tide gets right. Once the water starts flowing baitfish will be brought to them and then they will put the feed bags on. If you have seen them in a certain spot, try to stay back so you cannot be detected. When the water starts flowing (the fishing could be better on incoming or outgoing so experiment during both) hook up a shiner and fling it out so that it drifts naturally with the tide - then hang on. Snook are referred to as "bass on steroids" for good reason!

If you'd like more information, a great resource for snook fisherman is "The Snook Book" by Frank Sargeant. This book has everything you want to know and more about snook fishing on the west coast of Florida.

Good luck Chino, and whatever you do don't give up. But be forewarned - once you get started on snook you will find it very difficult to stop!