Match Your Tackle

You all have heard of "match the hatch", referring to using baits or lures similar to what the snook are eating. What does "Match Your Tackle" mean?

Well this means if you decide to go big, stay big.

This means with all your tackle, from the hook to the rod.

If you decide to go small, stay small.

Same deal, stay small all the way from the hook to the rod.

There is no doubt that you can catch large snook using light leader, if you use a light drag and take your time. However, this usually requires an open space such as a beach or flat. You can also finesse some large snook away from structure using light leader, but this is a dangerous game, which usually ends up with a frayed leader and hardware left in the snook's mouth. I don't recommend it for that reason.

Around structure I usually stick with the 80 plus leader and a heavy drag. However, when using this type set up, you need to pay attention to your hook. If you are using 80-100 pound leader and 50-80 pound braid, you need to use a hook that can withstand that kind of pull. I mean like 15-20 pounds of drag. Don't blame your 5/0 Mustad hook for bending when using this setup. It's really all your fault for picking the wrong sized hook. Use an at least an 8/0 or if not larger. If you are going beefy, you need to stay beefy with all your tackle components. Otherwise, the weakest link will always fail.

On the other extreme, if you go light to get the bite, you will need a small diameter hook to penetrate the snook's rubbery lips with a minimal amount of force. Here a 2/0 might be the trick. Bait size will also help you determine the proper hook size. With a small shrimp in clear water, a 1/0 might be your best bet for wary snook. But realize that you are using a 1/0 hook and how much pressure it can withstand before bending. Your leader will most likely be the weakest point in your setup. Just the other day, I had a 14" snook which I landed, fray through 30 pound leader as I was unhooking it. So you have to be both very lucky and skilled to land an overslot snook on 30 pound leader. You can do it, if the fish is hooked in the front of the mouth and you don't horse the fish in. On the other hand, if you have everything geared towards heavy duty structure fishing, when the fish runs for the pilings or the rocks, palm the spool, up the drag, or better yet, start with a maximum drag. Don't give an inch. Keep his head coming your way. If something breaks so be it. At least you tried to show him who is the boss.

The bottom line is there are many methods and techniques to catching snook.

However, you need to be aware of these details, if you don't want to end up cursing your hook for bending or your leader for failing. Know the maximum amount of force you can put on your hook before it will bend. Be aware that the more pressure you have put on a fish during a fight, the more leader fray you are going to have. This could mean backing off the drag at the end of the fight.

Lastly, the longer you fight the fish, the longer it will take to revive. So if you do manage to catch an overslot on light tackle, take the extra time to revive this breeder fish.

Tight Lines!

Jay