Bass and Snook Share Real Estate

Written by Brett Fitzgerald, SE Regional Director | 16 November 2009

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.

A chance to catch both snook and bass on the same fishing trip has always been on my winter agenda, so a call to FWRI’s east coast snook authority, Jim Whittington, was in order. Jim is spearheading this study, and has a solid reputation as an angler to boot. Although the study is ongoing and the data has not been completely analyzed, I asked him some general questions about how the data is coming along – diet trends, habitats of significance, etc., hoping to glean a little more insight into two of my favorite fish.

River snook tend to take on a golden-brown hue.

Whittington didn’t disappoint.

Not surprisingly, the habitats where he seems to be finding the most overlap are typical snook – and bass – habitats. Jim takes the perspective of angler and says, “…I would concentrate my [fishing] efforts near the trees and snags that are well shaded. Also look for deep areas near bends that cause ‘go flows’ that go into the structure.” He also said they are taking extensive notes on the different habitats – dissolved oxygen (DO) content, depth, flow, salinity levels, and so on, but the final breakdown of those details will have to wait.

For now, if you don’t already have a bass/snook honey hole in mind, here’s some info that can help you locate your own spot. First, bass don’t do well with salinity and are generally confined to completely fresh water (although they will occasionally venture into low salinity waters for a short while). That’s OK, because snook thrive in fresh water. So if you are scouting for a spot to target both species, start well up river. The Peace and Suwannee Rivers are just two examples of west coast rivers that hold snook way, way up into the fresh water areas all year. Secondly, even though bass can tolerate pretty cold water, snook seem to be there for the purpose of finding consistently warm water. Areas where the structure is in deeper water should be targeted.

Structure and deeper water, especially where shaded, are particularly fishy in the Loxahatchee River. Photo: Peter Hinck

Here in Palm Beach County, the Loxahatchee River is a great place to target both species, and anglers can have a go all year long. Peter Hinck, a long time Snook Foundation member, has been catching bass with common, fat, and tarpon snook, all from his kayak. His favorite spot? “Anywhere along the south fork of the river is good, as long as you know what to cast at. But most people catch bass and snook right at the bridges where the river crosses the highway.” Pete is catching fish on the smaller side, which is OK since this is generally a catch-and-release fishery anyhow. To add a little spice to the game, he uses an ultra light rod and reel designed for bream, spooled with 4-pound braid. He is partial to traditional hard bodied Rapalas, either a #5 or #7, but has also had success with the 3 ½ inch jointed Rapala. “Just about any little crank bait can get the job done,” Pete once told me.

Pete’s choice of lures falls right in line with Whittington’s preliminary data on the shared diets of bass and snook. FWRI biologists carefully analyze stomach content of the fish before releasing them and Jim was willing offer his informal thoughts. “…I would say they feed on similar things in the upper portion of the river. Snook and bass are going to feed on smaller fishes, crabs and shrimp.” He did mention that both snook and bass had fingerling snook in their stomach, suggesting that in the rivers he’s studying, he is right smack dab in the middle of some of the most critical snook habitat in Florida.

Tranquility interrupted, courtesy of a Florida bass. Florida's rivers are serene, productive, and very worth protecting.

Down south and through the Everglades, guide Brett Isackson has a similar approach. “I’ve had the best luck with the Rapala X-Rap, sizes 3 ½ and 4 inches. For colors, I prefer either gold/black, black/silver, or green/white.” He suggests trying MM 41 on Alligator Alley, or the Tamiami Trail right around the L-67 structure (about half way across the state) as best bets for both species, with a good shot at a nice peacock bass as well. These fish might run a bit bigger than Pete’s Lox fish, so beef up your tackle accordingly.

Both Pete and Brett suggest using hard bodied crank baits, but how you approach your target also depends largely on your levels of comfort and confidence. Personally, I like the Yo-Zuri 3-D minnows, either 2 ¾ or 4 inches long in ghost or green/silver colors. I also keep a rod ready and rigged with a Zara Super Spook Jr., especially if I’m anywhere near peacock bass. If soft plastics are more your speed, try the TriggerX (3.4 or 4.5 inches) in Golden Bream or Chartreuse Pepper Glow. Fly fishing your thing? Start with a Glades Minnow, and cast at the shore where groups of white birds are hanging around. Don’t forget to bring your camera, and enter your photos in our weekly contest!