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March 04, 2010
Posted in
Increase Release Survival
Here are a few pointers on how to get it done as safely as possible:
- Whenever possible, take measurements with fish still in the water. Much easier with a second set of hands, but as long as an accurate length can be obtained, it will always be the safest option for the fish.
- If you remove the fish from the water, support the body. A wet hand is best. Horizontal body support provides better control of the fish, decreasing your chances of dropping the precious cargo.
- Crimp your hooks. Using bait? Consider circle hooks. Remove hooks while fish is controlled, then you can release the fish on your terms.
- When releasing a snook, a proven method is to advance the fish to allow water to wash through the gills. Holding her jaw with your thumb, you will know she’s ready to go when she gently clamps down. Do not move here back and forth in the water.
- Hurry up! Less time in your hands equals less stress, and less stress equals better survival rates.
- Avoid touching the gills and eyes.
Read More on this Subject Click Here
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March 03, 2010
Posted in
General
Call to Action
Produced by FishBuzz.TV
The numbers are staggering…They began with high temperatures that never made it to 40 degrees in South Florida. That translated to lows that, in many places, came dangerously close to single digit temperatures. The north winds blew, bringing with them terms unfamiliar to many native Floridians. Wind chill. Frost warning. Severe Winter Weather Warning ...
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- Please show your support - [ Join the Snook Foundation ]
But, while we Floridians were hovered over space heaters, there was a change happening in the waters around our homes that would prove devastating. The water was getting cold and, thanks to the loss of habitat in areas throughout the state, the fish were going to have nowhere to go.
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February 25, 2010
Posted in
Fishing
photo credit: Norm Zeigler
Excerpt from Snook on a Fly
By Norm Zeigler
One of the favorite quarries of the old New England whalers was the right whale, so named because its physical and behavioral traits were ideally suited – “right” -- for their needs. For saltwater fly fishers, you could say the snook is the “right fish.”
Some fly anglers -- especially those who regard tarpon as mere flashy genetic giants -- consider snook the tropics’ and subtropics’ premier inshore game fish. They are extremely wary but aggressive feeders and fierce fighters. Sea trout are flashier to look at but weaker fighters. Redfish pack a wallop but lack snook’s spectacular aerialist antics. And, unlike tarpon, snook are delicious to eat.
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February 24, 2010
Posted in
Regs and Enforcement
PINELLAS COUNTY
Officers Dieter Iten, William Holcomb, Bryan Beeler and Lieutenant Grant Burton were conducting a net limitation detail in Riviera Bay. Toward the end of the shift, Lieutenant Burton stopped a commercial fishing vessel in possession of approximately 1,500 pounds of ladyfish. A fisheries inspection revealed the vessel contained a snook that was undersize. The operator was subsequently charged with possession of snook out of season, harvest by illegal method, and violation of quality control (no ice on board to properly preserve the quality of the fish).
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February 19, 2010
Posted in
Partner News
Some lures catch the eye of snook; some just catch the angler
Fish can indeed smell and evidence is that they respond to pheromones by instinct
Artificials have come a long way, baby.
My grandpa’s tackle box had plenty of worm hooks and bobbers, but any lures were made of wood, metal, or some combination of the two. In fact, I remember him chastising my dad when he broke from tradition and used rubber worms, way back in the day when they came pre-rigged with two hooks, a few beads, a propeller and a mono loop in front where dad attached a snap swivel.
The evolution of lures has not slowed with the economy, as manufacturers figure out new ways to appeal to the most obvious senses that fish use to feed, those being sight and smell.
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February 01, 2010
Posted in
General
"The Texas snook fishery may be the best-kept angling secret in North America. I strongly believe that in the interest of conserving the species here, and in the economic interest of communities near our snook waters, we should work to change that." - Aaron Reed, pictured above, is the Texas State Director of the Snook Foundation.
The Snook Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of four new leaders in Texas. In the last weeks these dedicated angler conservationists represented the Snook Foundation at historic first scoping meetings held by Texas Parks and Wildlife, to consider possible regulation changes affecting both fat and common snook.
Welcome to the new regional directors for Texas :
- Aaron Reed
- Capt. Danno Wise
- Jay Gardener
- Kendal Larson
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February 01, 2010
Posted in
Partner News
Effective, chemically safe, and biodegradable, Star brite satisfies your clean and green needs.
For years, the beautiful docks, decks and boats that line Florida’s thousands of miles of waterways have dazzled visitors and sightseers.
What those people aren’t seeing, however, is the destruction those wooden docks and cleaners that keep those boats so sparkly are doing to the very water they are floating on. Bleaches and other toxins from the cleaners drip into the water, creating a poisonous environment that kills sea life, as well as small plants and grasses.
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January 28, 2010
Posted in
General
Fish kill in Flamingo included many snook of all sizes.
Reprinted with permission Anna Maria Island Sun
Habitat is critical to the recovery of the fishery that is essential for tourism, both of which support guides, boat builders and all business that line Florida's coasts.
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January 27, 2010
Posted in
General
Snook Foundation to Work with State on Data Collection
When Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division biologists announced they would scope changes to snook regulations this year, it marked the first time in nearly a decade-and-a-half the state has engaged the public on the subject of snook. The Snook Foundation opposed changes to Texas' current 24-28-inch reverse slot until there is a more complete picture of the life histories of Texas' three snook species.
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January 25, 2010
Posted in
General
Rockport, Texas, resident Bobby Albin with a solid South Texas snook
North of Mexico, an Historic Fishery Approaches World-Class Status
Texas snook fishing, long believed to be mere rumor or perhaps a legend of the distant past, is in fact a going -- and growing -- concern. Snook Foundation Texas State Director Aaron Reed gives us a snapshot of the fishery on the other side of the Gulf of Mexico.
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January 20, 2010
Posted in
Regs and Enforcement
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Officer Cohl encountered a fisherman on Boca Grande who had two snook on the ground, next to a large cooler. A filet was on top of the cooler. Further inspection revealed dip nets and more snook. A total of twenty snook were located, ten of which were undersize. Citations were issued to the individual for taking snook during closed season, undersize snook, possession of snook taken by illegal method and over the bag limit of snook. The fish were donated to Peace River Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
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January 06, 2010
Posted in
Research N Action
Ron Taylor breaks down the latest chunk of data on snook migrations throughout the year in the Charlotte Harbor Estuary.
Snook move to the rivers to escape the cold, right? Well, maybe not!
Snook are euryhaline and use the entire estuarine system- from far upriver seaward to the lower estuary and beyond.
The accepted paradigm that cold water temperatures cause snook to move to rivers in the wintertime may be true, however further study is needed to explain seasonal movement and abundance in their overall habitat.
This study reports seasonal sizes and abundance of snook from Charlotte harbor and its 3 main rivers.
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January 04, 2010
Posted in
Research N Action
Teen Anglers were recognized for their contribution to the Indian River ecosystem, by St. Lucie County Commissioners. Back row L-R: Commissioners Chris Dzadovsky and Doug Coward, Jim Oppenborn, Teen Leaders Cammie Ward and Captain Joe Ward, Teen Mom Carrie Roe, Teen Ariel Vance, Helen Kinchen, Dylora Kohler, Taylor Meding, Commissioners Chris Craft, Charles Grande, and Paula Lewis. Front 3 L-R: Teen Justin Roe, Cash Roe and Robert Kinchen Jr.
Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Benefits from Angler Interventions
The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners honored Teen Anglers' Treasure Coast Chapter with a proclamation recognizing their contribution to Indian River ecosystem projects, on January 5th, 2010 in the commission chambers in Ft. Pierce Florida.
The Treasure Coast chapter worked throughout the 2009 season to help the Indian River deal with upstream pollution from stormwater run-off by bagging and deploying oyster shells. In April last year, Teen Anglers launched their efforts by bagging an impressive 2 tons of oyster shells in one hour to help restore St.Lucie inshore reefs. They then continued to help carry the bags to the reef restoration sites and continue collecting and bagging shell.
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December 14, 2009
Posted in
Research N Action
Victories for Cleaner Water drawing closer in Hillsborough and Pinellas
Curb the use of fertilizers during rainy season to help protect fish habitat.
A Coalition of organizations including the Snook Foundation is advocating for strengthened fertilizer ordinances across the state.
Most Florida residents who venture outdoors are aware of the impact fertilizer application has on our water bodies. Ponds, streams and estuaries choked with algae and invasive species are now the norm - they are hard to miss. These choked waterways drain to our coastal areas and affect not only local freshwater but also saltwater fishing and fish habitats.
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December 04, 2009
Posted in
General
Authored by Brett Fitzgerald, SF Regional Director and Person of the Year
Book comes with a free DVD!
Click Here to order.
When, Sportsman’s Best: Snook hits the shelves this New Year, inshore anglers everywhere will get a most insightful look into the habits and idiosyncrasies of Florida’s No. 1 game fish.
Sportsman’s Best: Snook is much more than your typical how-to and where-to-go type of book. It delves into the history of snook, their ecological base, the numerous types of species throughout the world and why you can find snook in certain places, but not others.
“I wanted give anglers a complete look at this fish,” said author Brett Fitzgerald, the Southeast Regional Director for the Snook Foundation. “The marriage of snook with the Sportsman’s Best series is perfect.
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December 04, 2009
Posted in
Research N Action
Many hands make for easier work. Volunteers downloaded bags of oyster shells to create new oyster reefs on spoil island 18b.
Oyster Bagging and Deployment Volunteers Welcome
The 2009 oyster restoration on spoil island SL18B went so well that we need to stop to reload, reported Jim Oppenborn, who is heading up reef restoration projects in Indian River Lagoon.
We will have additional oyster bagging days at Harbour Point Park from 08:30 until noon - watch the Events schedule on this website to get involved in the next bagging day. This is an informal event so feel free to come and leave whenever you wish. The next deployment dates have not been set but we will need enough bags to 1)place the FOS experimental reefs and 2) continue Phase 1 on the north side of the island.
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December 04, 2009
Posted in
Partner News
Find out all about, and how to order, your personally signed copy of the soon-to-be-released Sportsman's Best: SNOOK
Authored by Brett Fitzgerald
SF Regional Director and Person of the Year
- Book comes with a free DVD! Click Here to order
When, Sportsman’s Best: Snook, hits the shelves this New Year, inshore anglers everywhere will get a most insightful look into the habits and idiosyncrasies of Florida’s No. 1 game fish.
Sportsman’s Best: Snook is much more than your typical how-to and where-to-go type of book. It delves into the history of snook, their ecological base, the numerous types of species throughout the world and why you can find snook in certain places, but not others.
“I wanted give anglers a complete look at this fish,” said author Brett Fitzgerald, the Southeast Regional Director for the Snook Foundation. “The marriage of snook with the Sportsman’s Best series is perfect.
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December 02, 2009
Posted in
Fishing
Three of Florida's best tell where and how to slam your way to a trio of local gamefish.
Snook are considered a bell weather species when it comes to inshore habitat. In short, if an inshore area is healthy enough to support juvenile snook, it should be healthy enough to sustain more than 200 other species of fish, marine animals, plants and sea grasses. Because of that, if you happen to fishing an area and see a snook or two, there’s a decent chance of catching one or more other species of gamefish. Included on that “bycatch” list are seatrout, redfish and tarpon. Catch three or more of those in one day and you’ve got yourself a Slam.
Each region of the state has its own definition of what a Slam is, the parameters being defined by the types of fish that generally inhabit that area. The East Coast Slam and the Everglades Slam, for example, both include snook, trout and redfish. Those three species are most available all year long along the East Coast and throughout Everglades National Park, though still difficult to catch in one day. The West Coast Slam, on the other hand, includes snook, redfish and tarpon. West Coast anglers who catch a seatrout, in addition to the three Slam species, can boast a Grand Slam.
The trick to all three Slams is finding the areas healthy enough to hold snook and then covering that area sufficiently with your baits. Snook are considered a bell weather species when it comes to inshore habitat. In short, if an inshore area is healthy enough to support juvenile snook, it should be healthy enough to sustain more than 200 other species of fish, marine animals, plants and sea grasses.
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December 02, 2009
Posted in
Regs and Enforcement
FWC on lookout for Snook Violations
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
While conducting surveillance at Sebastian Inlet, Officer Curtis Suggs saw a subject catch a snook that appeared to be under the 28-inch minimum requirement. The subject put the snook in the bed of his truck and continued fishing. Officer Suggs conducted a fisheries inspection after the subject finished fishing. The subject first stated he hadn't caught anything, but then admitted to having a 27-inch snook. He was issued a citation for the snook violation and warnings for licensing requirements.
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November 22, 2009
Posted in
Fishing
Texas snook must fall within a tight slot in order to come home for dinner. Photo: Erich Schlegel
Night Time Right Time for South Texas Snook
and the South Texas snook fishery is growing!
Florida snook anglers have known for years what some Texas fishermen have discovered in the past decade: if you want to hang a big linesider, work the night shift.
Rick Roberts, executive director of the Florida-based Snook Foundation, says structure like pilings and bridges are among the wily robalo’s favorite haunts, and now is the time to go.
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November 20, 2009
Posted in
Regs and Enforcement
BREVARD COUNTY
On November 5, Officers Justin Morgan and Patrick Corley were
on land patrol on the north side of Sebastian Inlet and observed a man
leaving the catwalk headed towards his vehicle. The officers stopped
the man and asked if he had caught anything. The man stated he had not
caught any fish. However, the officers noticed a cooler in the bed of
the man’s truck and asked to check the cooler. The man gave them
permission and inside the cooler was a snook that appeared to be under
size. A measurement of the fish revealed it to be 27 ½ inches, which
was ½ of an inch shorter than the minimum size of 28 inches. The man
instantly became defensive and stated the men on the catwalk said it
looked legal. The man in violation did not have a measuring device and
was estimating the length of the fish. He was issued a misdemeanor
citation and the snook was seized and photographed.
On November 9, Officer Kris Culver was on land patrol on the
north side of Sebastian Inlet and saw an individual run by him and
place an oversized snook into his vehicle. The individual was issued a
citation for possession of oversized snook.
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November 16, 2009
Posted in
Research N Action
Snook have often been compared to large mouth bass; in some locations, you can catch both and compare for yourself.
.. and groceries.
Largemouth bass and snook from the same honey hole?
Believe it.
In fact, with a little know-how in your pocket, it can be a very productive and consistent little fishery. Don’t worry if you aren’t the researching type, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is doing most of the dirty work for us. With a little extra info from some expert anglers, you will be able to connect the dots without leaving your home office.
As you read this, scientists are examining habitat and diet overlap of bass and snook in South Florida’s coastal rivers… precisely the kind of information a “smart angler” should know. With the cooler months of the holiday season on the near horizon, many snook will indeed be heading across the salinity barrier and residing in bass country for at least little while.
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November 02, 2009
Posted in
Fishing
the story behind the lure!
Mark Nichols might have followed the ancient path of Antonio Stradivari if Santa hadn’t given his sister a Creepy Crawlers Thing Maker for Christmas. Actually the fate of Nichols, creator and owner of DOA Lures, probably had been determined some time before a craftsman friend gave him a piece of 100-year-old European spruce and encouraged him to carve and polish it into a violin.
The father of this Texas son owned a bait-shrimp trawler, which he kept in Kemah. Every summer and many weekends during the 1960s a young Mark Nichols would visit his father’s canal home on Bolivar Peninsula. When he wasn’t a nighttime deckhand on the 30-foot trawler or helping a friend run crab traps, Nichols was putting around the bay in Dad’s johnboat, fishing. “I thought shrimping was pretty cool back then,” Nichols said. “Even if we had a bad night at least we had enough shrimp for dinner. And we always had bait.”
Nichols got to know shrimp intimately. But he was a lure angler early on. A family friend on Bolivar made lures in his garage. And Dad, who owned a 27-foot Higgins, showed his son how to catch fish with homemade baits. Mattel toy makers probably would have done well to market their Creepy Crawlers machine to wannabe lure makers. Surely Nichols was not the only budding angler who slid a hook into a Creepy Crawler to catch fish. Did you know that a five-pound bass will eat a plastic butterfly?
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November 02, 2009
Posted in
Research N Action
Compare your fishing log
Having an understanding of the health, diversity and abundance of fish in our estuaries is a key to understanding the health of the estuary itself.
In Charlotte Harbor, we are very fortunate to have long-term scientific monitoring of fish. The Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program was established in Charlotte Harbor in 1989 by the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI). Although FMRI is now the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and is now housed in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,data collection has been consistent
From time to time, collection areas have been expanded and special studies have been conducted in places such as Estero Bay and Lemon Bay. This provides a rich source of data that spans two decades in some areas.
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October 30, 2009
Posted in
Partner News
Brett Fitzgerald was recognized as Person of the Year for his leadership and accomplishments.
Where can science, conservation, and fishermen come together in support of good times, marine resources, and coastal habitat? The Snook Foundation's Oktoberfest! Last weekend (Oct. 23-25) the Snook Foundation hosted a charity banquet and co-hosted an Inshore Fishing Challenge in delightful Punta Gorda.
The goal was to involve sportsmen and women across the state, and encourage them to take action to protect and preserve fishery habitat and natural resources. The event was a great success! At the banquet the Snook Foundation's executive director Rick Roberts presented the foundation's 2009's awards to four people with outstanding accomplishments in preservation, leadership, and conservation-minded angling, and recognized the contributions of many others. Rick and the winners told stories of the small, but smart and powerful fights to save Florida's precious habitats from threats like uninformed dredging and development.
More Articles...
- A Deeper Look into Snook
- Lochloosa is on My Mind
- How to Target an Inshore Slam
- Catching the Winning Slam With Minutes to Spare!
- Line & Lure
- Ok then I'll try out that Kayak Fishing!
- Spoil Island Camping & Fishing
- Deadly on Anything
- Snook Research at Mote Marine Laboratory
- Navionics - An easy way to help preserve Florida's fragile seagrass beds
- Angler Handling Techniques Will Increase Survival for All Released Game Fish
- Guest Commentary: Everglades Debate Needs Your Voice
- Stand Up and see what you're missing
- Ted Williams and the Origins of Sport Fishing
- Fishing for Lines
- River Coalition draws new Support from Martin County Commissioners
- What's Cooking?
- Rare Turtle Hospitalized at Mote
- The Grassflat Food Chain
- Peacock Plunger
- Today's Big Catch Depends on Baby Having A Happy Home
- Snook Foundation Welcomes Richard Powers - Florida Outdoor Artist
- Beach Snooking
- Why Study Juvenile Snook?
- Snook as an Indicator Species
- Teen Anglers Set New Oyster Bagging Record
- New from Seaguar - Premier Leader
- Record Snook
- Bridge and Pier Tackle
- Urban Night Fishing
- A Great Wave Rising
- A Coastal Engineer Answers
- Consultants Threaten Beaches
- An Argument for Preservation!
- Tournaments - Help or Hindrance?
- Snook Foundation Recognized for Contribution to Fish Habitat
- Tracking Tracey, Atlantic Snook Study Underway
- Fishing the Twitch Bait
- On The Line With Aaron Adams Ph.D.
- Get Outta the Way Big Guy
- Shallowfish opens New Gallery
- The MirrOlure Knot
- Hunting Texas Style with Capt Mark Gore!
- Imagine a Reserve in the Everglades
- FWC Director's Ken Haddad's Message
- The Developmental Stages (Ontogeny) and Associated Habitats of Common Snook
- OK, What's the Slot Limit on This Puppy?
- Swift Mud Warns 16 Counties Are Drying Up
- Gas Pains
- Pine Island Man Faces Penalties for Mangrove Destruction
- Panga offers new Super Skiff
- Fines Do Little to Stop Cutting of Mangroves
- One Piece at a Time
- Agency Reconsiders Approval to Dig up Wetlands
- Freshwater Turtles under new rules October 23
- Snook Anglers Play a Role in Snook Tagging Studies
- Snook Foundation Announces formation of Smart Development Workgroup
- IRL Oyster Reef Restoration
- What Gamefish are Actually Eating
- Savory Swimming Crabs
- Marine Hatchery Expansion in Florida
- Caring About Creatures
- Lake Worth Commissioners vote unanimously to support Reach 8 Protection
- History of the American Lawn
- FWC Citations June 2008
- Keeping Snook Swimming
- Fishing Weedon Island Preserve - Tampa Bay
- Trolling from Kayaks
- FWC Citations May 2008
- Developing Shoreline with Purpose
- Snook Habitat Study
- Fort Pierce Anglers to help in Reef Snook Study
- Snook Fishing - How each trip gives back to your community.
- Catching the Lowly Mullet
- Skip Casting to Snook
- Saltwater Fishing Spells Big Money in Florida
