| 07 July 2010
Tracking Snook Recovery in Mosquito Creek Lagoon
Ravages
A surviving snook showing some skin changes after the freeze. Photo: Guide Dee Kaminski fishes Indian and Banana Rivers, Mosquito Lagoon and Sebastian Inlet. ReelKayakFishing.com
It has been over 6 months since Floridians endured the relentless cold weather of this past winter. The merciless arctic assault resulted in many nights of hard freeze and was responsible for the decimation of many forms of climate-sensitive aquatic life. One of the most popular game fish in Florida waters, the ( common ) Snook suffered extensive losses in the frigid waters. The FWC, by reported estimates, recorded thousands of casualties on the Atlantic side alone.
Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program will host SnookWatch August 12th - read more click hereBeing a kayak fishing guide around the Sebastian Inlet area, I had to brave last January's cold weather regardless of the freeze, to scout fish for my next client as well as to quell my personal passion....
Long underwear that hadn’t seen the light of day since my last ice fishing expedition in northern Wisconsin, now became my new best friend. I put on layer upon layer of clothing, a warm jacket with a hood that would fit over my lucky fishing hat, wind resistant pants over jeans and a pair of neoprene waterproof knee high kayak boots over my thick hunting socks. It was truly teeth-chattering cold. Launching in the warmer parts of the day, I headed to my favorite hot spots. While standing, polling and scouting, I did not find a single snook swimming in the Sebastian Inlet inshore area for miles.
Unfortunately, I did see many snook and other fish floating belly up. Hungry over slot redfish and gator trout were on the grass flats but were quite lethargic. You needed to present your bait slowly and wait. There was barely a fight once you hooked up. They seemed to just give up immediately.
Evidence that many snook survived the freeze. In February, snook stacked up in 58 degree waters trying to gather heat in the sun. (photo: D.Kaminski)
Remnant
In February,snook of all sizes were found stacked up like cord wood, by the hundreds, in shallow waters and bay areas sunning themselves, trying to regenerate. They were not spooked nor were they interested in eating anything I presented to them. The shear numbers of these lumbering giants filled me with optimism for the future and was truly a sight to see.
In March, with the weather and the water warming up, I have shed almost all the layers of clothing and the long underwear were triumphantly returned to the cedar chest for the season.
No more worries about getting wet and cold.
Many of the juvenile snook began to leave the bays and feed on the grass flats and from under the mangroves. They were so excited they would eat almost anything presented to them. By the end of March and water temperatures back up into the 70s, the breeders began to feed in earnest. Ten to twenty breeder snook began to congregate in 3 to 4 feet of water where the flats meet the deeper water drop off while the juvenile snook stayed hidden under mangroves.
Recovery
Brian Kuehne being gentle with one of the giants. (photo: D.Kaminski)
It is now July and the windless mornings and stormy afternoons have arrived with water temperatures in the 80’s. My fishing attire is back to minimal thermal protection but maximum sun protection.
It has been an amazing month as I have been sighting snook on a daily basis in deeper waters, yellow tails pointing to the sky. I can spot over 30 breeder snook hanging out in their usual places at this same time last year. They are on the rebound.
I have spotted more of the breeders and less of the juvenile that leads me to believe that the juveniles are staying under the mangroves.
Dee Kaminski from Reel Kayak Fishing holding a 41 inch, 25.5 lb Indian River snook.
The good news is that the snook spawning season is here on the Atlantic coast and a new generation of snook will be hatching soon.
The snook population is thankfully rebounding directly before my eyes. With Mother Natures gracious assistance, I think we can all look forward to some very successful late summer fishing, and a most welcomed return of the Snook season.
Written by Dee Kaminski
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