Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades
Click Arrows for other
savings, news and more.
  • Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades Promo
  • Florida’s Paradise Coast - Visit Naples, Marco Island & Everglades Promo
You are here:  Home / Things To Do In Paradise / Fishing / The lure of the snook season.

The lure of the snook season.
Bookmark and Share



Snook season starts September 1st, adding to the allure of the endless fishing possibilities in the area’s vast system of estuaries, bays, creeks, flats, near shore and off shore waters. In this angler’s paradise, you can enjoy nonstop excitement and countless fishing holes all to yourself. And if you’re not already hooked on snook, here’s your chance.

Considered one of the most exciting and delicious catches in fishing, snook are a longtime favorite of Florida fishermen. Snook anglers have even been deemed somewhat cultist over their obsession for this feisty fish. Snook bite and fight harder than almost any other fish. They’re also smarter, often swimming into sharp mangroves or dragging the bait under roots to cut fishing lines. Snook are also so sought after because they’re illegal to serve on any restaurant menu, or to buy or sell in any type of market. The savory deliciousness of snook can only be experienced if you catch the fish yourself or have a very generous friend with an exemplary angling ability.

The Paradise Coast’s warm waters are an ideal home for snook, since they prefer water above 60 degrees. You’ll find them in the shallow saltwater flats, along rivers, right off the beach and under bridges. According to records, the 40+ pounders like the bridges the best, and many guides in the area can help you find other favored locations, as well as provide expert advice on safely catching and releasing under and oversized fish.

Since snook like shallow water, kayak fishing has become a popular activity, and you’ll find numerous kayak rentals throughout the area. A kayak enables you to paddle to many of the truly untouched waters, including those surrounding the Ten Thousand Islands, which are too shallow for motorized boats. Here you can explore and fish in uncharted, peaceful areas all to yourself. And you’re sure to get an up-close view of amazing wildlife.

To keep the snook population healthy and plentiful for future anglers to enjoy, there are many fish and wildlife regulations you must follow. You can only keep snook on the Paradise Coast during the designated snook season, which includes the months of September, October, November, March and April. Slot limit is 28" minimum to 33" maximum in length, bag limit is one per person and licensed anglers must possess a $2 permit in addition to a saltwater fishing license in order to keep a snook. If you are fishing with a professional guide, all licenses are provided for you.

Top of Page