Trolling For Snook

Who trolls for snook?

Trolling is a very effective way to locate where the snook are staging or if they are even there at all. If you have no clue as to where the Snook are located, trolling is an excellent way to find them. Trolling may seem straight forward. However, there is a definite science to it. First, you need a productive lure. Bomber long As, Rapala X-raps, CD-18 or CD-25 all work well. Then there is the speed. I like to go between 3-4.5 mph. Your rpm will vary depending on whether you are heading into or against the current. In my boat, it varies from 1000-1300 RPM to get the lure to track right. 1300 sometimes 1400 if it is the current running hard. 1000 to as low as 900 RPM if going with the current. Sometimes you get going 5-6 MPH with the current. Sometimes the lures don’t track well with the current. My secret lure, (which was discontinued in the US) tracks well into and with the current. However, with trolling, 75-90% of your hits will come trolling against the current. The lures just work better pulling against the current. Now for the rod. I like a 5’-6” ugly stick. These rods show the lure vibrations very well. This is extremely important, because you need to know when the lure has weed on it. If it stops vibrating, check for weeds or debris. Additionally, you need to know when the lure is hitting the bottom. I want to run the lure close to the bottom as possible without snagging the bottom. The Snook where I fish are on the bottom. Some places and sometimes the Snook are near the surface. Especially during the mullet run and in the canals where there is less current. I use 30-50 pound braid and a 80 pound mono leader. I tie a loop knot to give the lure more room to wobble. To get the lure to run deeper let out more line. To run shallower keep it shorter. Once you hook a fish, keep the boat slightly in gear (600-800RPM) or the fish may come off. They still come off, but this will increase your odds of landing the fish. In the off-season use J-hooks instead of trebles. These are way easier on you and the fish. Let us know your trolling techniques.