Sight Fishing Beach Snook

  The key ingredients for success in sight-fishing Snook on the Beach are; October -November in Naples, calm or no wind, high tide, plenty of bait on the shoreline.

A sized-to-match white fly imitates the white bait which are about an inch to an inch and three quarters long. I use a generous 9-foot leader with 25-35 lb. shock tippet.

I like to walk well above the shore line as I can see into the water easier and I better avoid spooking Snook. Usually we'll see fish crashing and casting near the swirls can be effective. But my favorite situation is where I spot a Snook cruising toward me. If the cast lands four to six feet in front of the Snook, I'll let it sink. Often that's all it takes. Slow but deliberate strips back will seal the deal...provided the cast never brings the fly toward the Snook. If it does, they're gone.

There's more than a few distractions on the beaches around Naples, so just take it like a man and brave the adverse conditions.