1. Forget the Flats

 

2. Find Deep Water

Now don't take this tip too literally and start heading offshore. Snook are still fond of structure, even when they seek greater depths. Large snook can sometimes be caught on wrecks in the colder months, but a greater percentage seek out deep water inland, often as far back as they can push. Why do they seek deeper water? Because deeper sections often retain more stable temperatures, which offers snook greater comfort and - if temperatures drop into the mid to lower 60s - a greater chance at survival. Not every deep pocket holds warmer water, however. Look further inland for quiet, still channels that are protected from the wind.

 

3. Use a Jig

When fishing the aforementioned deep holes, a jig should be your weapon of choice. Jigs allow you to plumb the depths of numerous spots, covering a lot of water to find snook that are willing to bite despite the cold. Jigs are especially effective on lower tides when water is concentrated in deeper sections. How shuold you fish said jig? Read the next tipÉ

 

4. Take it Slow

A snook's metabolism slows as the barometer drops in a sort of forced hibernation. Baitfish and other forms of forage food are scarce during the winter months, so snook are acclimated to finding a warm spot and using as little energy as possible while they wait out the in climate weather. Accordingly, most cold-weather snook will not expend a lot of energy chasing down a lure like they might in the warmer months. Regardless of your lure of choice, remember to work it slow in cold water. Snook will be more likely to attack your slowed-down offering for two reasons: 1) they won't have to spend a lot of energy to catch it, and 2) baitfish are cold in the winter, also, and they tend to move at a less frantic pace.

 

5. Try Residential Canals

That is, in an effort to find cold-weather snook, it can be worth your while to fish residential canals that are connected to saltwater. When the weather gets real chilly, snook often abandon even the deeper inshore holes and push their way back into canals. Why? Because these man-made avenues offer water that is protected from the wind - wind that can further lower water temperatures. Canals also offer structure in the form of docks, and deeper water in the form of dredged areas. Residential areas are often overlooked, but they can be lousy with cold-weather snook early in the year. If you can find a spillway or warm power-plant outflow further inland during the winter months, your odds go up even higher. DonÕt overlook docks that have been dredged especially deep to accommodate larger, deep-hulled vessels such as yachts and sailboats.

 

 

6. Sneak into a Creek

Winter-time creek fishing can be fantastic, at times. On cold winter days when the sun creeps out and starts to warm the water's surface, big snook can be found literally sunning themselves in the shallows of backwater creeks and bays. Depending on the temperature, their attitude can range from almost comatose to all-out aggressive. And though jigs are the classic winter-time lure, if you can find a bunch of hungry snook that have been warming in the shallows for a few hours, you can experience some incredible action on topwater plugs.

 

7. Fish Later in the Day

Most fishermen set their alarms early, fumbling to prepare their gear in darkness and squinting through bleary eyes as they drive to their destination of choice. However, fishing in the colder months is often better later in the day, after the sun has had a chance to warm the water. If the weather report calls for cold temperatures, sleep in and try to time your trip so that you're working productive water in the warmer stages of the afternoon.

 

8. Watch for Warming Trends

Quite often cold fronts come back to back, so the few days of warmer temperatures aren't enough to warm the water or encourage more activity. However, a few consecutive days of warm weather between fronts can have a dramatic effect on fishing. Snook that have waited out a cold front are often voraciously hungry, and willing to pounce on practically any offering. Keep an eye on the weather reports for a few consecutive days of sunny weather, and try to time your trip so that you get on the water late in the warming trend and before the next front arrives. Snook anglers rave about summertime fishing, but a warm trend in the middle of winter can provide the best fishing of the year.

 

9. Avoid the Wind

Wind can have a profound effect on water temperature. For instance, a shoreline that is repeatedly pounded by the winds accompanying a cold front is going to provide lower water temperatures than a protected shoreline, and be much less hospitable to chilly snook. Look for areas that are calm and protected. If the front has provided cold weather for days, look for calm, deep water. If the front has abated and the sun has warmed the water - but the wind is still blowing - look for snook soaking up the sun in shallow water protected by trees or other structure. I will confess this truth: the longer I fish for snook, the less I see the wisdom in fighting the wind - especially winds that accompany a cooling trend. Wait for a warmer day - or at least a sunny day - and stay at home when Ole Man Winter is howling.

 

10. Lights Mean Action