Top Fly For Snook

It's early morning the sun is just beginning to rise above the horizon, the mangrove shoreline is beginning to take shape. The only sound in the still morning air is coming from the fly line whipping a top fly for snook back and forth as it extends to it's final landing spot at the leading edge of a small bait pod. The top fly for snook is being stiped in with long pulls, the water breaks into a panic as baitfish erupt in a frenzy.A huge explosion wakes the surrounding shorline as a monster Snook crushes the well placed fly. It's fish on and the battle between fly fisherman and beast of a snook ensues.

I'm not sure if I have ever experienced more of a pure adrenaline rush than when using a top fly for Snook and hooking up on one of the most challenging species of fish to ever catch on a fly. Snook will no doubt take every advantage available to escape the possibility of being landed. It is almost as if they see the same excitement and challange as the fly fisherman does. Escape and leave the pursuer devestated. Anything in the water between you and the Snook will become a lazer target for the fish to head for and cut you off. There's an emotional rollercoaster for you. "I got him, AAAGGHHH I lost him"

So what is the top fly for snook?
The answer depends on a few factors. Water tempature,natural food source, water clerity, and wind conditions. The most popular patterns at least in my local snook waters are finger mullet and shrimp patterns. The hottest colors are black back with white belly mullet colors and pink shrimp patters. Chartruese is also another top fly for snook color scheme.

It does not matter if you are polling a skiff or wading through skiny waters approach is everything. The more distance you can put between yourself and the Snook the better. Personally I prefer to be off the mangroves far enough to be able to fish between 10 o'clock to a 2 o'clock position to the shore and then move dwon enough to pick up the 10 and 2 again in undisturbed waters.

Snook Food
The snooks main food is fish. Finger mullet and pinfish make up much of their diet. Shrimp and crabs are also major foods. Shrimp are the main food in winter months. Mullet is the snooks favorite food. Pinfish and shrimp also make up a large part of the snooks diet. Medium sized mullet are the best bait.

Here are a few different effective patterns for fly fisihng for Snook

Bucktails - A very durable fly. holds up well under continued use. They are tied using white tail buck hair. The use of the deer tail is makes it very easy to dye the flys in different color patterns.

Deceivers - Originally designed by Fly tying legend Lefty Kreh the deceivers were one of the first Snook flies to take on a 3 dimensional appearance. Utilizing the deer hair around the hook shank fills out the fly with more of a true body while still maintaining a good sink.

Poppers - Great for top water action the poppers are made from foam heads and feathers. Very effective in smooth water conditions.

Epoxy Fly's - The newer breed of saltwater fly they are made using a 2 part epoxy and then heads are shaped and dry into a solid. Using a rubber coating is an additional feature found on some epoxy flys to coat sparkle material or hair to help maintain it's shape and buoyancy.