By: Capt. Roan
Snook season is upon us and no better bait to break out than the Mega and Magnum Minnow by Reel Nautical Jigs. These Ultimate Swim baits are designed with big snook in mind. They come in 4 colors and two sizes; Mega minnows are 4 inches long and are 3/8 ounce and magnums are 6 inches long and are ½ ounce baits. They both come in 4 colors including White, Arkansas shiner, Pimp Daddy, and Glass Minnow which looks a lot like a little lady fish. They are phenomenal for all types of species but are one of my favorites for snook and tarpon in our passes or on the nearshore reefs and wrecks. You can swim them or jig them, doesn’t matter they crush and are durable since the bodies and heads are adhered to each other and then the heads are resin encapsulated. We use extra strong Mustad Ultra Point hooks for excellent hookup and fish holding power especially if you must pull a big snook out of a reef or wreck.
March is a great month for both snook and tarpon fishing, first snook season is just opening and you can keep one per person between 28 and 33 inches. Tarpon are starting their migration north from the keys along our beaches and the local fish are inhabiting our near-shore bays. You cannot eat them like a snook but are sure a hoot to hook and catch. This is one of the best months to catch a big snook either on the beaches or our passes and river mouths or on our nearshore reefs and wrecks. Wreck fishing for snook has become much more popular in this day and time due to increased offshore populations that stay on the offshore structure year-round. Invest in a side scanning sonar or 360 sonar if you want to really dial in the schools. If you do not have side scan, try and set up a drift to hit the down current side of the structure. You might have to make a couple passes till you find just where the schools are holding. Here is a great recipe if you do happen to catch a keeper: Start by fileting the fish but leave the skin on lay it in a backing pan on two sheets of foil skin side down. Cover meat side with Helmann’s Mayo and sprinkle with soy sauce. You can also sprinkle with dill or pepper flakes if you want. Bake 350 until flaky at end hit it on broil to brown up the mayo on top a little serve by spatula taking the meat off the foil but leave skin.
Come see our full line of Mega and Magnum Jigs at one of the local Bait and Tackle stores like Mikes Bait House, Marco Island Bait and Tackle, and The Bait Shop of Lake Placid or check them out online at www.reelnautical.net or drop us an email: reelnautical239@gmail.com