

Why Snook Love Dock Lightsĭock lights are simply lights that illuminate the water around docks, bridges, and boat lifts. Fly fishing for snook on dock lights is about as exciting and intense as it gets.
FLY FISHING AT NIGHT HOW TO
In battle, snook take to the air, go on strong line ripping runs, and they understand how to use underwater obstacles to get free.

In battle, snook offer a combination of torque and speed that is unmatched by most other gamefish. Snook are one of the best inshore species to target in Sarasota, FL with a fly rod. Snook utilize their large mouths and flare their gills to create a vacuum that draws in prey. Snook stack up around dock lights at night and wait for unsuspecting baitfish or shrimp to ambush. Dock lights provide food and structure to snook. It seems ridiculous to suggest that the best sight fishing opportunities for snook are at night, but they are.

Some things to watch out for, however, include bats, mosquitoes, and the boogeyman (ha-ha).įor a fine assortment of Fly Fishing gear, click here.Dock lights in Sarasota offer the impossible- sight fishing for snook at night. The weather’s cool, the fish are biting, and you’ll probably have the whole lake to yourself. If you’re up for it, there are some big fish to be caught at night. Fasten it to the boat and it will be out of your way. Without a net, you’re sure to have tangled mess of line in front of you after the release, that is, if the fish didn’t break the line with its thrashing. Scoop it up with the net, keep it in the water and take your time. There’s no point in struggling with a fish in the darkness. Also, a long rod held high will help steer the fight with a hooked fish. As your casts grow longer, it will become increasingly more difficult to keep the entire line off the water as you cast. You need this length to provide clearance above the water for your backcasts. It’s very important that the rod be 9 feet or longer. For instance, kick away if trying to keep a running fish from finding the shoreline weeds. Use them to steer the battle with a fish as well. Without fins, it will take forever to get from A to B. With only one night’s practice, you’ll be whipping around and turning on a dime in no-time. You’ll learn to lean back in the raft to maximize speed. Generally, the bigger the better, although you don’t want to be scraping the bottom in the shallows. In order to get around with some pace, you’ll need fins. Only the bottom or your legs actually touch the water. And don’t worry the "what lies beneath" concerns go away very quickly. Don’t let fly shops and outfitters tell you differently. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good float tube. As long as it does this and stays afloat, you’re in good shape. You want one that lets you sit up high above the water, is comfortable, and maneuvers easily. This is the most important weapon in your night fishing arsenal. And for those willing to brave it, the rewards can be substantial.

Night fly fishing isn’t as unnerving as you might think. Lakes, especially, can produce "cruisers" looking for big meals when darkness falls. This is when the real predators begin to hunt.
