Beach snook fishing peaks during the summer months as large schools of fish move towards inlets, passes and coastal beaches in preparation to spawn. One of the most productive times to target the biggest breeder snook is after dark. In this video, we fish a shallow inlet in mid June.

Fishing The Swing

One of the most productive angling techniques for fishing in heavy current is to cast your lure up-current, allowing it to sink close to the bottom, while closely tending the slack line as the lure sweeps near the bottom along with the current. The technique itself is quite simple, but mastering the finesse needed to detect contact with the bottom, while sweeping with the current and avoiding snags takes an experienced hand.

Surface Swinging: When fish are visibly feeding near the surface and baitfish activity is evident, lures can be retrieved right at, or just below the surface. To accomplish this, cast up current and begin your retrieve as soon as the lure hits the water. While pointing your rod tip towards the lure, use a medium speed retrieve to retrieve slack, while imparting short rod tip twitches to impart an erratic darting action.

Mid-water Swinging: Following the same principal and surface swinging, once a cast is made up current, allow the bait to sink for several seconds, then begin a steady retrieve. Mid-water swinging is ideal when surface activity is minimal, but fish are still feeding aggressive. This technique avoids most obstructions, but keeps you close to the feeding zone.

Bottom Swinging: This challenging method requires extreme attention from the angler. Your goal when bottom swinging is to keep the lure in near constant contact with the bottom. Reaction strikes from finicky fish will occur as the lure rolls and bounces off rocks, ledges and boulders. Unfortunately, this technique requires your presentation to be in close contact with heavy snags. Pay very close attention to your rod tip on the sweep, keeping perfect tension on the line as the lure bounces. When a lure becomes snagged on an obstruction, engage the reel and retrieve all slack. Once tight to the lure, pull back on the rod, then un-engage the reel to "snap" the rod tip. Often times, this quick snapping action can free a lure from the bottom.

Gear List:

Rod: 7' MH Sewell Custom Spin

Reel: Shimano Stradic FJ 5000

Line: 20lb Power Pro

Leader: 50lb Fluorocarbon