Best Shots 2010 Photo Contest

Justin Blauch {Pinellas County} Best Shots Winner - December

Fishing the middle of canal after work..Snook hit a yozuri crystal minnow worked fast, then slow. Fish was 42 inches, and was released unharmed. Posted: Dec 2010

E. Po {Deerfield Locks} Best Shots Winner - Jr Division {December}

big bait, big fish. Posted: Dec 2010

Bill Clutter - North Fork, New River (Ft Lauderdale)

{Tarpon Snook} .. Fishing live bait (shiners) from kayak's, targeting juvenile tarpon at the time of catch. Although common Snook are abundant in the area, it was a surprise to find this beauty hiding in the Mangroves! Posted: Dec 2010

Bill Clutter - Ft Lauderdale

{Common Snook} .. Fishing live bait (shiners) from Kayaks. Posted: Dec 2010

Pete Rapps - Everglades City

Night time Snook: Jasen Gilbert of Naples with Captain Pete Rapps of Chokoloskee. Posted: Dec 2010

Bill Grady - Sebastian Inlet

No story. Just a nice fish I caught on a pink bucktail on a hot August night. I don't usually take pictures. Posted: Dec 2010

Andy Tasker - Stuart

It was on Christmas day and was trying for redfish and we got 3 snook and 2 were sword spine snook. Posted: Dec 2010

Robert Hooker - Everglades City

Caught on one of my annual trips to Everglades City to fish with Capt. Jim Conley. Posted Dec 2010 

Andy Tasker - Stuart

It was a nice calm night and the snook bite was on fire. Posted: Dec 2010

Max Goliger - Hillsborough Spillway

Fishing for snook with a rattle trap and I land an 11 pound bass. Posted Dec 2010

Bill Miller - Captiva Island

Docklight snook fishing. Posted: Dec 2010

Kelly Philips {Orange Beach}  Best Shots Winner - November

Fishing in "IFA" Championship  Kayak Tournament and landed this 43" Red on Topwater Plug!  Posted: Nov 2010 

Ashton {Lake Lindley}  Best Shots Winner - Jr. Division {November} 

Big brother had landed one right off. My granson, Ashton, was quite upset. I said welcome to the world of fishing! Just be patient ! His smile shows it all ~ Monk Rickly {Deland, FL}  Posted: Nov 2010

Nanette O'Hara - The marshes of SW Louisiana

Louisiana is legendary for its giant redfish. I caught this 20-pounder on fly while fishing with Capt. Danny Ayo. As a committed catch-and-release angler, I was careful to release this beautiful red carefully and gently. Capt. Ayo took this beautiful image of me lowering the fish into the water and sending her on her way to grow even bigger. Posted: Dec 2010

Ronald Steele - Kauai {Hawaii}

That's me in the center with the Wahoo aka "ONO", meaning delicious, weighed 39lbs and measured 48". The other two fish where 25lb & 23lb Bull Dolphin aka "Mahi-Mahi". Posted: Dec 2010

Douglas Fox - Jekins Creek {Hernando Beach}

I've been fishing here for 20 years and have never been skunk'ed. I fish off the bank with greenback minnows that I catch with a cast net. I caught these at 6am on the first cold snap in 45 minutes. Too bad, but a good thing there's a limit of five a day. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and don't forget A GOOD DAY IS A FISHING DAY GOD BLESS . Posted: Dec 2010 

Dale Sparling - Stuart / St. Lucie Inlet

Catch and release fish . Posted: Nov 2010

John Michael LaVergne - Boca Raton

This is John's first daytime Sword .. Worked that electric like a pro and also assisted in hauling it in .. Sword 89Lbs - John Michael 79Lbs. Posted: Dec 2010

Eric Po - Deerfield Locks

Live chiclid tossed in to locks, strong fight at 41 inches and 24 lbs. Posted:  Nov 2010

Eric Po - Boca Raton Inlet 

On a live pilchard, only one of the day, 30 lb leader 1/0 circle hook. Put my rod in a rock, drag started smoking, finally landed. 32 inchs, 12lbs. Only big one of the summer, but it was on my birthday.  Posted: Nov 2010

Bill Cousins - Sebastian Inlet

Caught on a large pinfish 46+".  Posted: Nov 2010

Mark Nichols - Indian River Lagoon

Snook caught on DOA Figi Chix CAL jig. Posted: Nov 2010 

Jerry McBride - Indian River Lagoon

Snook that ate DOA 8-inch BFL. Posted: Nov 2010 

Jerry McBride - Indian River Lagoon

Sight-fished snook, standing on Hobie Pro Angler. Fish was caught on DOA shrimp. Posted: Nov 2010

Christina - Indian River Lagoon

Snook was caught on a DOA holographic silver shrimp ~ {Christina is a kayaking buddy of SF member Jerry McBride}. Posted: Nov 2010

Photo Helper - Indian River Lagoon

While fishing in the southern Indian River Lagoon, Jerry McBride {a SF member} prevailed upon this stranger's kindness to pose with the smallest of six snook he caught and released on DOA shrimp. Posted: Nov 2010
 

Chris Dobrow - 70 miles off Hernando Beach

After limiting out on red snapper-June 1, great opening day-we hit a wreck in 75'. You could see the aj's swimming to the top of the wreck and hit your hook...what a blast...brought in a boat limit of aj's as well as the snapper, plus a couple of smokers!  Posted: Nov 2010
 

Cheyenne Naftal - Marco Island

I caught this 135lb Tarpon on Mother's Day 2009. My Dad (pictured with me) is a charter boat captain out of Marco River Marina.  Posted: Nov 2010

Nestor Alvisa - Flamingo

It was nice to take a break from chartering and have a fun day of fishing with two great buddies. This day was full of fish tailing everywhere. Finished with seven out of fourteen shoots at redfish in less than four hours. Posted: Nov 2010

Dee Kaminski {Sebastian Inlet}  Best Shots Winner - October

Landed this 30.75 inch snook on a small pinfish around 11 am while wade fishing on a sand bar using 10 lbs braid and 15 lbs fluorocarbon leader. She jumped magnificently 2 times before submitting. I kept her in the water until the photo was able to be set up and then shot quickly. She was released unharmed. Posted: Oct 2010

Frank Dion - Crane Creek {Melbourne}

We spent the day on mosquito lagoon fighting the 25 mph winds and could not get the redfish (that were everywhere) to bite anything, so we headed to the back country for some snook. Caught this one on a 6wt with an ep style fly that I tied with a green back and a beige belly. Posted: Nov 2010

James Ferrigno { Lake Worth Spillway} - Best Shots Winner - September

Hit the spillway around 2:30 pm with some live shrimp and my jig master on a 9' star rod. I had just changed my line and serviced my reel so I had confidence in my tackle. When I set up the rod arched almost 180 degrees. I knew she was big. She ran around for a few minutes but not wanting to prolong the fight, I got her head up quickly and brought her to the net. Snapped a quick picture and put her back in good condition. Posted: Sep 2010

Aaron Reed - Brownsville {TX}

Caught on a glow/chartreuse Texas Tackle Factory "Hackberry Hustler." Posted: Oct 2010

John Williams {St. Marks, FL} - Best Shots Winner - Jr Division - September

Ladyfish, caught by Liam Oliver DeLaney, his first "game" fish. Posted: Sep 2010

Alex Tejeda - North Miami Beach

Went out for a night of summer snook fishing and came out big with a 35" snook. Posted: Sep 2010

Aaron Reed - Corpus Christi, Texas

Caught this sporty little 22-inch common snook amid a raft of fat snook while fishing with SF director Jay Gardner at dusk at the Packery Channel jetties. Fish bit a 4-inch white "sea shad" paddle tail. Posted: Sep 2010

 Jesus Lluis - Biscayne Bay

Caught many males, finally got a nice female at the end of the night. Posted: Sep 2010

Jason Hermes - Lantana

Had already hooked a big Snook which I dropped. Saw several tarpon rolling, so this fat lady surprised me when she smacked my Rapala top water. Posted: Sep 2010

Alex Tejeda - North Miami Beach

Took a friend fishing for snook and I landed this 33 incher on a plug off the beach. Posted: Sep 2010

Jason Hermes - Boynton Beach Inlet

Caught late morning, was about to give up. Saw some mullet get a little nervous about 25 ft off shore. Tossed my 6" Rapala top water 15-20 feet passed and she nailed it on the 10th or 11th twitch. Weighed about 18 lb's. Posted: Sep 2010

Matt White - Sebastian Inlet 

Channel Bass gorging on Horned Bellies. Posted: Sep 2010

Sharron Osborne - Northside Choctawhatchee Bay

Caught on 10lb test - fish pulled our little Gheenoe 1/2 way to Destin before I landed it! Posted: Sep 2010

Patrick Dolan - Best Shots Winner - Jr Division - August

This my son Patrick (AKA El Fuego) with a 43 inch monster. He is 5 years old and already leaving his dad in the dust. We fished with Capt Chris McCubbin on 8-7-2010, submitted by Dad, Chris.

Oliver Green - Best Shots Winner - August

Ran up the beach from my home in Boca Raton. Saw tons of bait but no beach snook. Worked the jetty at Boynton inlet for a while with no hits and was going to pull the anchor when I saw all the fish were sitting under the boat in the shadow. Dropped a live bait and it was ON! Perfect low slot fish, released to fight another day after a quick photo on the self timer. Am wearing my blue Snook Foundation shirt. Posted: Aug 2010

Jim Marino - Matchala

Caught 3 nice legal reds released one. Also caught 3 short snook and released them.  Posted: Aug 2010

Adam Singer - Boynton Inlet {north shore line}

Long time fly fisherman, but new to shore fly fishing for sbook. Mainly interested in sight fishing for the snook, but got this one blind casting a 2" Clouser-type green/white fly, 40# flurocarbon tippet on a 9wt Sage, into nearby bait school. And, look what found, a beautiful 38" snook.  Posted:  Aug 2010

Jesus Lluis - Biscayne Bay

I spotted this monster while searching for snook on the flats flipped a gulp shrimp a few feet in front of him and it was all history. I didn't get a measure of it because I don't like keeping those big fish out the water to long in the summer ~ but I say he did 40"+.  Posted:  Aug 2010

Rich Jones - Everglades Back Country

35"+, A workout getting this fish out of the roots on light tackle. Catching these bigger snook in the backcountry can be a bit more challenging than catching one in more open areas. Posted: Aug 2010

Matt Kersting - St. Pete {oyster bar near Johns Pass}

42in snook caught on 8/14/2010 using 8wt. fly, white and chartruese keys style tarpon fly #1 hook. Caught at sunset on 4th cast in one foot of water. Posted: Aug 2010

Joey - Atlantic Blvd Spillway {Pompano}

Caught five this size on fly, a size 6 deceiver. Posted Aug 2010

Ray Jimenez - Jupiter Inlet

Caught on 20 lb plug tackle on a live croaker fishing inside Jupiter inlet on August 12, 2010 with my son Cameron who took this great photo! Fish was 42" and was released to continue its summer spawn. Posted Aug 2010

Paul Kabalin - Jupiter Inlet

Caught on 8/01/2010 by Reef Kabalin, age 7 . Posted: Aug 2010

Mike Zambito -Anna Maria Island

My brother had missed a big fish the night before the 4th of July weekend. The night of the fourth he was falling asleep on the couch and I was taunting him with imitation drag noises. We laughed a lot, however when he finally fell asleep, I went down to the seawall with a hand sized pinfish. The rest is history! She was roughly 45 inches. Not sure of her weight. I just wanted to get my shot and send her on her way. Largest Snook I’ve ever caught! Posted: Aug 2010

Lawson Davenport - Chazowitzka

Took my son Lawson out with Captain Bill Hope for some red fishing. Hooked and landed this 30 inch redfish by himself. Posted: Aug 2010

Chris Dolan - Naples

This my son Patrick Dolan (AKA El Fuego) with a 43 inch monster. He is 5 years old and already leaving his dad in the dust.  We were on a short vacation in Naples and booked a charter with Capt. Chris McCubbinn for a 4 hour night trip on 8/07/2010. Patrick landed this whopping 43 incher soon after he had just caught a 33 incher. Both fish were released.  We had a good time. I think the picture says it all. Posted: Aug 2010

Jason Stock - Sarasota Bay

I was using my kayak motor torqeedo along the edge of the flat. I saw the fins sticking out of the water. I threw the spook and brought it to her and she crushed it. After a good fight, got a few pictures and revived her with the motor and she swam away healthy! Check out JMSnooky Kayak Charters. Posted: Aug 2010

Ben Nelson - Weedon Island {Tampa Bay}

20 lb 40 in snook caught on cut ladyfish.caught during a redfish tournament,and released.lots of these around Weedon Island.  Posted: Aug 2010

Steve Plamann - Delray Beach 

My 14-year-old son Gus caught this 34-inch beauty in the surf on Aug. 4 using a MirrorOline Catch Jr. She swam away strong after a couple of quick photos.  Posted: Aug 2010

Lisa - Bonita Springs - My First Fish

Some friends taught me the basics of using the fishing pole.  I remembered the story of when Jesus told the fisherman to throw their nets in the sea and they obeyed and when they pulled it out, there was a lot of fish!! So, I said OK, if they believed then I believe too! So, I waited about 1 hour and 40 minutes and then all of a sudden, I felt a strong pull.  After about 5 minutes, to my and everyone's surprise I pulled out this lovely snook!! That's having faith!!!   Posted: Aug 2010

John Van Lith - Fort Lauderdale 

This beauty dragged me all over the back canals and had to wrestle her out from under a few docks. Snapped a quick photo and released her to fight another day.  Posted: Aug 2010

Jon Brett - St. Pete

This was the only snook we saw all night. I got it to eat a doodle fly - tied out of my dog, Jack's, tail hair. Posted: Aug 2010

Michael Camden - Cockroach Bay

This hungry snook had no reluctancy in pursuing the live pilchard tossed to the Mangrove she was lurking under. What made this catch exciting was seeing the snook appear out of the darkness of the mangrove roots and ambush the pilchard. She made a couple of determined runs back to the bush but I was able to keep her turn one final time for a catch. After a few quick photos she was released healthy. Posted: Aug 2010

Yanni and Paulina Melissas -Best Shots Winners - July

Brother and sister, Yanni and Paulina caught this 44 inch, approx 30  lb snook with light tackle late night fishing Boca Grande. Posted July, 2010

Austin Ferguson - Best Shots Winner - Jr. Angler - July

Fishing with friends in Mosquito Lagoon,  I landed this huge redfish. Posted July, 2010

Carlos Monzon-Aguirre -Dunedin

Fishing in the flats close to Honey Moon Park. This was on July 19, 2010 with my friend Jorge. First time he goes fishing with me in my canoe. On the first cast we got this 32 inch snook. It jump out of the water like 5 times and it was a nice fight.  Posted July/2010

Dario Cabrera - Bonita Springs

Dario's first Snook, caught on Bonita Springs Beach. Posted July, 2010. 
Congratulations Dario and here's for next time - photo tips

Paul Rossberg - Ft. Lauderdale

Mid day sight fishing with live mullet in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.   Posted July, 2010.

Tom Tardonia - Tequesta

Lily Tardonia's first Snook, caught/released in Jupiter Inlet.  Posted July, 2010.

Donna Lauria - Brandon

Tarpon was over seven feet long; caught and released in the Peace River. Posted July, 2010

Capt Rick Ryals - fishing at River Palm in Jensen Beach

caught this 41 incher on a DOA C.A.L.  July 19th

Mandy Brawley - Ozello

I caught this lil beauty at the vast mouth of the St. Martens River. They were tearing up the live shrimp attached to my favorite popping cork. I'm big into catch and gently releasing, especially the undersized ones;)so this one went back in the water. Man that was such a great day....posted July, 2010

Ken Taylor - Manasota Key

One of 8 snook that we caught and released in one late June morning,  using DOA 1/4 oz shrimp while beach fishing. Near Clear Gold Glitter was the hot color in the stirred up surf.

Justin Richey - Sanibel

Every summer, my family and I plan a trip to Sanibel Island for a getaway. I was walking the beach casting a Mirrodine (Silver) through schools of pilchards right on the shoreline. This nice 31in. fish hit and ran down the beach in the opposite direction. Fish was successfully revived and released. Awesome fight!

My son, his buddy and I decided to go fishing late one Saturday. I was teaching his buddy how to cast and Kyle was driving the boat but also fishing off the back of the boat with a DOA. The next thing I hear is the drag screaming and son is smiling because he has his first snook on the line. Not bad for a casual day of fishing!  

John Romer - Lutz, FL

I thought I'd share the picture of the Pacific Sail Fish that I caught on the Costa Rica trip I won from the Snook Foundation silent auction last year.  The fish was caught on June 15th aboard the "Sails Call" and measured approximately 9ft long and 130 pounds. Thanks Snook Foundation, we had a great time.  

Donna Ahlers - Bradenton

A beautiful Friday afternoon that my husband and I took off from work to spend a day on the water with our neighbor, Capt Dan LeLaTorre.  Had a great day with the reds, a tarpon and then finally this beauty.  Dan and I were lucky enough to each get one and my husband still remains snookless. Hope to see more!

Jamie McCall - Miami, FL

Fly fishing for snook with my father off the beach in Naples, Florida...What could be better than fishing with your dad?!...Landed a big one - great fight; several runs-jumps...it was awesome...Jamie

Ken Taylor - North Port, FL

Fish was caught and released on a 3.5" Yum Money Minnow with an exposed 1/8 white collared jighead. Had a plastic worm rattle inserted in the tail of the lure for sound. Fish hit just after 6:00 am on a full moon incoming tide along the beach at Manasota Key near Englewood, Florida.

Jim Marino - Cape Coral FL

Caught 04/27/10 daybreak top water zara spook.38" long 26 lbs.Matlacha pass. We still have big ones here after the bad winter. Released alive and well.

Edward J. Panick Jr. - Somerset NJ

I was fishing with my buddy Joe Mariano in the Sebastion River. We launched out of Dale Winbrow Park and headed south or up river We caught 3 nice sized snook on April 28 2010 the first was 27" the second was 28" and mine was the largest at 36". All were caught on a red silver flash bomber stick bait. We we're fishing tight to the low lying trees and mangroves. all 3 we're caught and released.

Trey Deaugherty - Bradenton, FL

My buddy Ben (right) and I were fishing the mouth of the Manatee River last October when we caught these two. The big one was 39" and weighed about 20 pounds.

Jesus Lluis - Miami, FL

Caught her on a live ladyfish during a tournament

Jason Hermes - Lantana, FL

My friend Dan and I where just about to give up when he hooked into this beauty on a gulp jigging it down the mangrove line. Fish was photo'd, revived and released!

Will Carlson

This was one of about 30 caught on a recent trip near Boca Grande.

Jesus Lluis - Miami FL

Nice snook  I caught and released in a brackish canal by my house on a twitchen rap. Thank God for braid cause if not I wouldn't have had a chance.

Michael Moreno - Miami FL

Biscayne Bay snook. We caught over 20 that Febuary afternoon. Found lots of fish this size that day

Michael Moreno - MIami FL

Michael (11) caught this fish in Government Cut in Miami drifting a live shrimp. It was his first snook caught at night.

Marcel Moreno - MIami FL

This snook was caught in Government Cut in Miami on a night with 65 degree water and the air temperatures around 58.The fish ate a large shrimp on a jig drifted past the jetty.

Jesus Lluis - Miami, FL

Nice snook on a plug

Capt. Hal Rosenblatt - Palm City, FL

Kyle was casting a MR 5 mirrolure when he had a huge hit. He did not hook the fish on that cast and didn't think it was a tarpon because it didn boil on it. He continued to cast and about 4 cast later the big snook hit the lure and was hooked. After a real nice fight and some beautiful this beautiful snook was caught and release quickly.

Scott Livingston - Thonotosassa, FL

42" Snook caught in Tampa Bay.

Rick Klosicki - Tampa Florida

I hooked this girl on March 26 but she escaped. I went back the next morning and the same thing happened. Went back later that afternoon and finally landed her...She was 34 inches and very healthy, revived and released unharmed. This is my personal best.

Submitted by Donna Moore in Cape Coral

This was a horrible winter. We are still seeing alot of snook and all different sizes. I kayak So searching for snook in clear water is a treat

Jesus Lluis - Miami FL

She ate a trolled live ladyfish

Tim Wrzesinski - Punta Gorda, FL

Nice fighting 29 inch snook caught after a large amount of rainfall raised canal water levels and increased flow. She was released unharmed and swam off with a splash of her tail.

Steve Haris - Sarasota, FL

Steve is holding this slot sized snook caught somewhere on Longboat Key.

shot this photo of Capt Eric Bales visiting from East coast FL before heading up to Alaska Rainbow lodge for the summer.

My father and I were fishing Sebastian Inlet on January 2, 2010, RIGHT BEFORE the Freeze of 2010. I was in town for winter break from the University of Florida and wanted to do a bit of Snook fishing. A buddy told me that Snook tend to feed hard right before a freeze and he was absolutely right. The water dripping off these fish was as warm as bath water! I assume the water was not yet hit by the cold weather. This 30" fish was landed on a Bomber Windcheater (Silver/Green) and released successfully.