WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

[RICHY]

I live in puerto rico and usally we fish bass, peacock bass, tilapia, catfish etc. Recently we have found snook heaven.It is just a fishermans dream. The best lure we use is a bubble gum super fluke with a 4/0 off set. power pro 30lb.I have caught 6lbs up to 12. I have seen other guys catch 25lbs plus.I can't seem to stop the big ones. I confess that i get nervous when i hook one and don't know what to do. What is the best gear you use? WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO GET THEM ON BY BOAT FOR A PICTURE ?

 

[Bigfun]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

When using a non stretch line, your rod needs to match it. To stiff a rod and and they will pop the line even with a good correct drag. Whats your rod reel setup? Might want to try the same setup with mono.

 

[RICHY]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

i'm using a 6' med hvy rod bionic blade. a stradic 2500fh. 30 lb test 8 diam. what do you suggest?<br />thanks alot for the reply.<br />richy

 

[jtexas]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

I'm guessing the answer is already deep within you.<br />See the snook.<br />Be the snook.<br />Ease up on the drag.<br /><br />Are they throwing the hook or breaking off?<br />Are you using a palomar knot on the powerpro?<br />Are you burning or super gluing the tag end of your braided line knot?<br />Wire leader?<br />Checked your hooks for sharpness?<br />Are you setting the hook?<br />Are you exposing the hook on your fluke? (stop giggling, that's a perfectly valid fishing question)<br />Are you turning the reel handle in a clockwise direction? (just kidding) <br />Maybe a net with a longer handle would do the trick. <br /><br />good luck,<br />jtw

 

[RICHY]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

i sure that i hook them . i really think that i let them run around too much time scared that they can break the line or to lose them and then have nightmares. hooks are super sharp.how would you fight a 20 pounder?

 

[jtexas]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

So, they are throwing the hook? Doesn't sound like you are ripping it out of their mouths.<br /><br />These fish have bony mouths, right? I mean, there's not a lot of danger of ripping their lips off? If this is the case, then I would step up to 65lb or even 80lb powerpro. Not much chance of breaking that, except maybe if you get too explosive with your hookset. (would you agree, bigfun?)<br /><br />Either way, keep your line tight at all times - you should always be putting as much pressure on them as you can without breaking them off - and reel whenever you can. Slack line is your mortal enemy - they'll throw it every time if you give them any slack. <br /><br />Maybe next time you get one on, you should try manhandling it; I mean just power it in to the boat, just to see how much it takes to break the line. What've you got to lose?<br /><br />Oh, you'll need one more thing: self-confidence! A 25 pounder is just two 10's and a 5.<br /><br />hang in there,<br />jtw

 

[snapperbait]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

Richy.... Are you using any leader? With snook it's an absolute must to have 24-36 inches of monofilament or flourocarbon leader of at least 30-40 lbs test, or more.... Sometimes, when the fish are'nt being pickey, you can get away with using a short 6-8 inch piece of wire for leader along with a little lighter mono leader...<br /><br />Now, Your powerpro may well be 30 pound test but it does not have the necessary diameter, because like jtexas says, the mouth is very tuff and the sandpaper like teeth will eat thru a small diameter line very quickly durring the fight.. <br /><br />I lost enuff snook, so I know what your going thru... If the fish is running, let him run, but keep a little pressure on... A good drag is a must.. Also keep a dip net too... Check the leader for frays and re-tie your leader often...<br /><br /> My snook chasing gear is a medium/ borderline light 7 foot penn powergraph spinning rod and an old sigma 035 spooled up with 6-8 lbs test mono (Ande tournament ) which I use to throw small lures and jigs.. I use a medium 7 foot powergraph casting rod with an ambassuduer 4600 spooled with 10 lbs test for throwing bigger lures like rat-l-traps and big jigs.. With either one, in open water, most any snook is no problem, long as you have a heavy leader..<br /><br />For live bait fishing near docks and heavy mangroves, I use a 7 foot heavy action casting rod with an ambassaduer 6500 spooled with 15...

 

[RICHY]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

I'm using a power pro 65lbs with a 16 diam. Do you think that a monofilament 40 test is stronger than a 16 diam? <br /><br />P.S YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO COME OVER TO P.R THIS SATURDAY.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

I have not used power pro so i can't say for sure, but with reguards to abrasion resistance, i'd say the 40 mono would be stronger only because of the larger diameter... Larger dia. = more work for the fish's mouth to wear down the line..<br /><br />To get even more abrasion resistance try flourocarbon for your leader..

 

[Flatsfisherman]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

Richy: I would like to converse off-line about snook fishing in Puerto Rico. I am planning a trip down there this summer and would like to learn more. Thanks<br />Glenn Calvert (gscalvert@adelphia.net)

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

I would use a rod longer than 6 foot. more give<br />and flexibility when they all of a sudden have<br />a burst of energy and make a run may be helpful.<br />a giving mono line and a good leader as suggested.<br />stress goes: line, pole, then reel/drag. start at<br />the beginning and work backwards IMHO.<br />question: how big do those peacock bass get there?<br /> <br />regards,<br />M.Y.

 

[RICHY]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

I CHANGED TO A 6'6 MED ROD TODAY AND REALLY FELT THE DIFERENCE.THE FEW SNOOKS THAT I GOT WEREN'T THAT BIG BUT THEY REALLY GOT THEIR BUTT KICKED FAST AND I TOOK ALL THE ADVICE FROM YOU GUYS I HOPE TO LAND MOBY SNOOK SOON. I SEND PIC WHEN I DO. MELOOWYELLOW, THE PEACOCK BASS HERE DON'T GET TO BIG BECAUSE THEIR ARE TOO MANY FISHERMAN CATCHING TOO MUCH AND NOT RELEASING THEM. I HVE CAUGHT THE MOST A 7 PONDER THAT TEALLY FELT LIKE 15POUNDS. WE ALSO HAVE IN ONE LAKE OSCARS. THEY CAN REALLY PUT YOUR DRAG TO TEST. I CONSIDER THEM THE TARPONS OF THE LAKE.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: WHY ARE THE SNOOK KICKING MY BUTT!????

read an article the other day on snook. one point they made was that snook usually run to cover (brush, logs, docks) when first hooked. article actually suggested having your fishing buddy power the boat away from the hook-up to keep the snook from wrapping your line on something. good luck-