Foundations like snookfoundation.org, give excellent information about this famed fish. Seeing the management of this species and how it has developed, starting with the 1947 seines band, is very educational. An angler can learn a lot once a fish is classified as a “game fish.” All these game fish have strict sanctions as to when and where you can keep them, and the size limits associated with them. It’s like this with most of these game fish. If you want to know when the big ones will be most abundant, look for when the season is closed. In general this is their pre-spawn or spawn time. Fish pack up in big groups and basically have a spring break. The males eat, eat some more, than eat a little bit more, before finding their girlfriend. The girls, well they’re courted by all the guys trying to show off and win her affection. It’s a typical spring break everyone’s excited and the fishing is easier, with more fish caught. Just remember you can only take a picture… until the season reopens! So take a brief look at the game fish regulations in your area for any protected species and target it. Plan that trip at the right time, to meet up with that prize fish you’ve been hunting. Tight lines! g
History of Snook Regs in Florida
- 1947 – Snook haul seines made illegal in Lee County.
- 1947 – Snook haul seines made illegal in Lee County.
- 1951 – Snook haul seines made illegal in Collier County.
- 1953 – Minimum size set at 18 inches fork length.
- 1957 – Snook made illegal to buy or sell.Capture by hook and line only. Bag limit set at four snook per day, eight snook possession limit.
- 1981 – Bag limit reduced to two snook per day, two snook possession limit. No snook less than 26 inches fork length may be taken in June or July during 1982-1986.
- 1982 – June & July of 1982 closed to snook possession.
- 1983 – January and February 1983-1986, closed to snook possession. June and July 1983-1986 closed to snook possession.
- 1985 – January, February, June and July closed permanently to snook possession. August 1985-1986 closed to snook possession. Minimum size increased to 24 inches total length. Only one snook may be greater than 34 inches total length.
- 1987 – All species in the genus Centropomus covered by the regulations. August is closed permanently to snook possession. – All snook to be landed whole. Use of treble hooks prohibited with natural baits.
- 1994 – Closed winter season changed to December 15th through January 31st.
- 1999 – Slot limit is set at 26 inches minimum / 34 inches maximum total length.
- 2002 – Possession limit reduced to one snook and May closed to snook possession on West Coast of Florida only. East Coast of Florida not changed.
- 2006 – Minimum size increased to 27 inches total length. 34 inches maximum total length not changed. Total length defined as the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side
- 2007 – Slot and bag limit, and open seasons, reduced per above
- 2010 Cold kill necessitated temporary closure of snook to harvest
- 2012 – AnglerAction data used in the updated snook Stock Assessment