Late Fall, Winter, Early Spring- During these periods, snook primarily inhabit inland waterways including residential canals, tidal creeks or rivers, and the upper reaches of the Intracoastal Waterway. Bait preferences are typically on the smaller side during this time, so the following tackle and technique choices are suggested:

• Rod: Fenwick Inshore Series 12 – 17 lb class spinning
• Reel: Abu Garcia Cardinal 804/ 806 model spinning reel
• Line : Stren Super Braid 14 to 20 lb class
• Leader: Stren tinted fluorocarbon to match the water color precisely. 30 to 50 lb test suggested strongly.
• Bait choices: Berkley Gulp! shrimp (3" version), and Berkley Gulp! Jerkshad are the two baits of choice. Either fished on ¼ to ½ oz jig heads for deeper presentations or weightless on exposed hooks for shallower presentations or topwater presentation.

Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall: During these seasons, at the height of spawning activity, the larger snook which average 15 to 25 lbs, can be found congregating in ocean inlets or passes, beach areas in close proximity to inlets, turning basins of inlets and their surrounding draw bridges. Bait choices are typically larger and fished much deeper than during other seasons.

• Rod: Fenwick Inshore series 17 to 30 lb class plug rod
• Reel: Ambassadeur 7000HSN or Record 60
• Line: Stren Super Braid 30 to 50 lb class
• Leader: Stren Tinted Fluorocarbon leader material, designed to match the water color. Suggested sizes range from 60 to 100 lb test.
• Bait: Berkley Gulp 4" shrimp fished on ¾ to 1 ½ ounce jigheads near ledges when crustaceans are the target forage; also Berkley Power Bait, pre rigged Mullet can be used in a deep presentation when bait fish such as mullet, ladyfish, or croakers are the quarry.