Palm Valley 4/7

[Tmdfam]

Clark eluded to it in my last post. The Grass shrimp along with the mullet have hatched. That being the case i have been throwing a lot of small baits especially the Livetarget 1/4oz Shrimp. Its about 2 inches long and has worked really well. So well that yesterday this 25+ inch snook inhaled one. Work the bait in the shallows (shoreline) out to deeper water, throw it up against pilings and oyster beds. These are the natural habitat for these small shrimp and mullet. Start them out slow and then increase speed until you get a strike.

[gumby]

Snoook!!!!! that's awesome.
Great catch!

[G8trwood]

[67197mlk]

Well played sir.

[jmdesignz2]

palm valley? Like near Nocatee?

[Tmdfam]

palm valley? Like near Nocatee?

that is correct. launch right there under the bridge

[jmdesignz2]

WOW - did not know snook were this far north

[guanagator]

Nice snook!

[kayakling]

Smile each time I see it, good work!

[Clark]

That's a nice snook. Bet that was exciting.

[ThizzleJ]

Nice fish Tim!! When is the season to harvest snook? I know you have to get a tag for them and limit is 1 a day but also I do not know the slot if you can enlighten me on that too. I'd look at the FWC site but for whatever reason it is blocked on my work computer.

[Tmdfam]

Nice fish Tim!! When is the season to harvest snook? I know you have to get a tag for them and limit is 1 a day but also I do not know the slot if you can enlighten me on that too. I'd look at the FWC site but for whatever reason it is blocked on my work computer.

Atlantic (state and adjacent federal waters)

Closed Harvest Season Dec. 15 - Jan. 31; June 1 - Aug. 31

Size Limit
Not less than 28" total length (TL) or more than 32" TL
Bag Limit
1 per harvester per day

[ChippMatt]

Nice report Tim! Mullet hatch is one of my favorite times to fish. I think Tim would probably agree when I say that most North Florida Snook should be catch and release. They are delicious, but they are still considered a rare fish to find in our waters these days. They have been making a solid comeback since the bad freeze and their numbers are up during the warmer months. However, they have a four inch slot and a tight harvesting window because of the pressure on the fishery. Large harvesting numbers and harsh winters stunted the population and they are finally coming back around. You will also notice a lot of the snook in our waters are smaller and skinnier, there are only a few breeder sized females being caught and that is further indication of their struggle. I know the urge to keep is always there, but seeing the population grow and become healthier would be much more rewarding in this case.

[JohnYaksJax]

Tim....Very nice SNOOKIE you got down there, and thanks for the tips and techniques you posted...and....they certainly helped you catch that nice one!!

ChippMatt....thanks for posting the info about the "fall and rise" in the snook population since that Big Freeze damn near wiped them out up here. It was sad to see them belly up and dying or dead everywhere in the ICW and even in the Guana area!! I think the FWC has the slots and open seasons correct on snook and they are certainly making a comeback.

My only tip to anyone who really wants to catch a snook....GO SOUTH!! I have caught 2 snook in JAX, and a couple in the St. Augustine area over the years, but the MarineLand area and Tomoka are much better, and even better when you head further south....definitely worth a road trip if/when you get a case of "snook fever"....JohnYaksJax

[DaveInYak]

Nice Snook sir!

I caught one about the same size a few weeks ago in Tamoka which was my 3rd ever. Caught my first two on the same trip in Mill cove last year of all places. 23.5 and 28.5 inches. Couldn't believe it and still have yet to catch or hook another up this way.