-->
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
spot_img
HomeFishFlat Out Fishing - Seen Any Snook Lately?

Flat Out Fishing – Seen Any Snook Lately?

You know you want it...

Mocka Jumbies and Rum...

- Advertisement -

Our little corner of the Caribbean is blessed with an abundance of beaches and excellent offshore fishing. However the amount and quality of the habitat available for our in-shore resident snook population is declining every year. Some of this decline is due to development, water pollution, and fishing pressure. The only part of this multi faceted problem that anglers can address is fishing pressure.

Common snook are moderately long-lived and fast-growing fishes. Females live about 21 years and can grow to lengths of 48 inches. Males live about 15 years and can reach 39 inches. Females reach 26 inches in about four years, whereas males require five to six years to reach that size. Fifty percent of male snook reach maturity at about 18 inches total length and about two years of age, whereas 50 percent of females are mature at about 30 inches total length and five years of age. There are no physical differences between male and female snook, so anglers cannot tell the difference between the sexes.

Flat Out Fishing – All Good Things

My personal records have shown a dramatic decrease in the total snook population. Over the last 3 seasons, my data shows that angler catch rates per man hour of fishing continue to increase while the number of snook landings have steadily declined.
The number of large females has shown a sharp decline and have been steadily declining for the past 3 years that I have been keeping detailed records. Since large snook are
predominantly mature spawning females, they are capable of producing proportionally
larger amounts of eggs. In other words, a 30 pound female produces substantially more eggs than 3 ten pound females.

- Advertisement -

I hope that all anglers on St. Thomas and St. John are willing to help save our snook population by releasing every snook they catch. Research shows that only two percent of released snook die as a result of being caught and released. After you catch a snook, a minimum of handling practically ensures that the fish will be taken again. Fish with crimped barbs for reduced injury. Leave the fish in the water while taking the hooks out with pliers or a special tool. If you want to take a photo of your catch make sure you wet your hands or wear wet cotton gloves. If the fish is exhausted and has lost equilibrium, properly orient the fish and hold it lightly into the current.

What is the Definition of Commercial Fishing?

After the fish has regained its equilibrium, release him immediately. Do not
forcibly move the fish in a jerky back and forth motion. Gently support the
fish into the current and release it as soon as possible.

It is my sincere hope that we can all make the effort required to protect our remaining snook population while we still have a chance. To loose what was once a great fishery would really be a shame. If you are interested in learning more about snook management, the state of Florida is a great resource. With strict regulation and active enforcement they have done an outstanding job of bringing their snook population back from the same situation our snook face now. For more information on how you can make a difference in saving our snook population you should contact the following.

Snook Bight Yacht Club and Marina Announces the Grand Opening Celebration of their New Marine Store

The Snook Foundation

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota, Florida 34236

info@snookfoundation.org

- Advertisement -

Don't Miss a Beat!

Stay in the loop with the Caribbean

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED ARTICLES

So Caribbean you can almost taste the rum...

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -spot_img

Recent Posts

Recent Comments