Best Snook Lures For Snook With Long Lateral Lines!
What are the 5 best lures for big snook? Read our guide to the best lures to catch snook.
Catching snook can be a lot of fun, but it's not always easy.
These fish are known for putting up a good fight, and some saltwater anglers even think they're also delicious when cooked properly. In addition, snook are expanding their range throughout Florida and into Texas and the south. They're definitely the top inshore gamefish in Florida, and can't be mistaken when you see the long lateral line from gills to tail. Some say they're similar to a largemouth bass in the way they strike and fight.
Shrimp and pilchards are two of the best live baits to use when targeting snook, but there are also a number of effective lures that can be used to catch these fish. These fish can be tricky to catch, but with the right bait you'll be reeling them in before you know it.
We've put together a list of the 5 best snook lures on the market, so you can spend more time fishing and less time shopping. Each one of these lures is unique in its own way.
Our options for the best snook lures that won't break the bank are below, then you can read how we choose and what considerations for snook fishing.
MirrOlure Top Dog Jr.
Why We Love These:
Fishing Captain Jeremy loves the Top Dog Jr. lure from MirrOlure as the best lure for snook. This top-of-the-line lure works really well for snook. And as a bonus, these also work for redfish, speckled trout, tarpon, jack crevalle, blue fish, sharks and just about anything else that swims in the ocean. But fished in the backwaters and mangroves, it's killer for snook.
The built-in rattle calls fish in from long distances, and the finish creates a realistic look that will have them fooled every time. Plus, the "walking-the-dog" action creates side-to-side movement during retrieves that is sure to get their attention. With two hooks for extra security, it helps land fish left and right with this lure. The Top Dog Jr will work best when the water depth is 4 feet or less, basically because snook are lazy.
But what sets the Top Dog Jr apart is its under-chin tie-in point, which allows you to "walk the dog" with ease. This versatile lure can be used in a variety of ways to target different types of fish. It works if you cast it down the shoreline or over oyster beds and grass, and just watch as the fish come biting, and biting hard! You can get some really big blowups on this lure. Snook are known to be difficult and finicky, but The Top Dog Jr is especially effective at attracting them.
What You Need To Know:
Ideal for probing or locating fish on open flats
Sonic "fish calling" rattles can be detected from great distances
Low frequency sonic rattles and life-like action triggers explosive strikes
Original flash-and-scale finish
3-D eyes and under chin tie-in
Makes it easy to execute the deadly walk-the-dog retrieve
Zoom Bait Swimmin Super Fluke
Why We Love These:
Fishing Captain Jeremy loves the The Super Fluke as one of the best swim baits for anglers targeting snook. Its deep belly ensures a tantalizing darting, gliding, and knuckling action that will have fish biting. And its universal baitfish size makes it an ideal choice for even smaller bass and larger trophy fish.
Rigged weightless, the Super Fluke skitters across the surface like an wounded shad, making it irresistible to predators. But if you need to fish deeper waters, you can easily add a belly-weighted hook or some insert weights.
Rigged weedless and fished like you would if using soft plastic jerkbaits is a great way to attract snook. They'll hit this from the bottom, and most of the time will create a surface blowup that'll get the adrenaline flowing.
But really no matter how you fish it, the Super Fluke will deliver. It's a must-have in your tackle box. The white is the number one choice, but if you need to match the hatch, they come in a ton of different colors.
What You Need To Know:
Size = 5.25 inches
Baitfish imitator
Deep belly features a hook slot and forked tail helps it to swoop and glide
Salt-impregnated
The original soft plastic darting shad imitator
Can’t be beaten around grass and laydowns
Works Great on Alabama/Umbrella rigs
Can be fished weightless or on a Jig head
DOA Shrimp
Why We Love These:
The DOA Shrimp has been a favorite among anglers for years. The classic realistic appearance and tasty flavor attracts many types of fish, from snook all the way up into larger species such as Spanish mackerel or even tuna. You can use these little guys on any type bottom fishing situation with success—just make sure it's sandy so they will look at home underwater if tied directly.
DOA's can be fished in several ways--all methods seem to work well with snook though; simply tie them directly onto leader or pop corks along bottom. The most straightforward way to use the lure is to cast it out, let it sink, keep your rod tip low, then work it as slow as possible. Just make it crawl on the bottom by reeling as slow as you can, and every now and then give it a twitch, like you would if fishing soft plastic jerkbaits.
The D.O.A Shrimp Lure has been a true king of lures for many years and it's easy to see why with its "live shrimp" appearance that always looks fresh, and swimming action thanks in part from those downward facing vibrating legs. The durability and versatility of D.O.A's Shrimp is still the gold standard in artificial lures - from freshwater bass to saltwater redfish and snook tournaments, its put money into many pockets.
And to think, Mark Nichols started with one 3" Shrimp and has grown D.O.A.Fishing Lures into a company that now has over 20 different lure families with over 120 different colors.
What You Need To Know:
2 inch, 2.75 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch
Lifelike shrimp imitator
Durable and versatile
Salt-impregnated
Fished with a twitch, but let it do it's thing
The original shrimp bait
Rapala Skitter Walk
Why We Love These:
The Skitter Walk is a high-quality Snook bait with an established track record. It takes some getting used to, but once you have the rhythm you're good. The fish can't resist for long - just make sure that when using this you use the walk 'the dog' fishing technique by twitching and pausing during the retrieve.
The "Skittereffect" makes small waves across its surface while simultaneously stirring up particles underneath.
Rapala's reputation for quality lures is second to none. You'll be able to use it right out of the box, without modification on your part. The weighty tail keeps this lure steady and on line when working it, and the 3D holographic eyes give each one its own unique look. You can choose between many painted colors to go with the reflective chrome finish. All are equipped VMC black nickel hooks
What You Need To Know:
Rapala "Walk-the-Dog" action
Weighted tail
Realistic eyes
Rugged construction
Super sharp VMC black nickel hooks
MirrOlure 17MR-18 MirrOdine Suspend Twitchbait
Suspending Twitch Bait - Best Snook Lure For Big Snook
MirrOlure MR17 MirrOdine Twitchbait
Why We Love These:
The MirrOLure MirrOdine Suspended Twitchbait is a deep body profile lure that features realistic baitfish patterns. It has the ability to produce violent strikes with its twitching retrieve and various color schemes. The highly reflective foil inserts create maximum flash in all directions plus natural 3D eyes completely and durable black nickel hooks make this bait a true fish magnet.
The MirrOlure also has "fish calling" rattles inside to create sound and more commotion on the retrieve. Trout, Redfish, Snook, Striped Bass and Tarpon find this to be irresistible.
You can also cover a lot of water with this bait to find out what's hitting.
What You Need To Know:
Deep body profile
Lipless, rattling, suspending shallow runner
Mimics a wounded baitfish
Realistic baitfish patterns
Natural 3-D eyes
Honorable Mention
How We Choose
Snook are really fun to catch, but can be lazy, difficult, finicky, whatever you want to call them. Having the right lures is key to catching them.
Our team has read through thousands of user reviews and star ratings to come up with a list that makes it easier for you to decide what is the best lures for snook. Don’t bother spending lots of time reading over many many reviews, we’ve done it for you and have come up with the top 5 snook baits to help you get the most out of your next fishing trip.
There’s a snook lure here that’s best for you, or just go ahead and grab all of them! Read below for details and you can check the price on the one(s) that you like.
Things To Consider
If you're looking for a challenging fish to catch, there's no better fish species than the snook. These fish are known for putting up a good fight, and some even think they're also delicious when cooked properly. In addition, snook are expanding their range throughout Florida and into Texas and the south. Shrimp and pilchards are two of the best live baits to use when targeting snook, but there are also a number of effective types of lures that can be used to catch these fish. Swimbaits, spoons, plugs, shrimp, and jerkbaits are all known to catch snook.
Best Snook Lures FAQs
Looking to catch snook? It's not always easy but it can be tons of fun.
We've put together a list of the best snook lures on the market, so you can spend more time fishing and less time shopping. Each one of these lures is special in its own way, so read on to find the perfect one for you.
We’ve created a guide of frequently asked questions to help you choose the best snook lures for you. It'll help you understand what to look for when choosing the best baits for your next snook hunt.
What's the best way to fish for snook?
For the highest chances of success, try fishing dock lights for Snook. Use lures, such as bottom jigs or swimmer bait, artificial crabs, and shrimp, or go with live bait, such as menhaden, mullet, or sardines. During the summer, when Snook are active, you can get lucky with casting topwater baits, plugs, and even soft plastic jerkbaits.
What is the best time of day to catch snook?
Snook, like most fish, feed mostly in the 2 hours surrounding dawn and dusk, so this is your best chance to catch them. Night fishing for snook is really popular, too.
What is the best tide to fish for snook?
The best tide for snook fishing is the first two hours of the outgoing high tide. The outgoing tide washes shrimp, crabs and small fish out of the estuaries, mangroves and grass flats right into the mouths of the hungry inshore snook.
What leader should I use for snook?
The answer is 25 pound leader. That is the best all around leader size for catching snook and redfish around docks, oyster bars, grass flats, mangroves and just about any other inshore fishing scenarios. Your leader will be light enough not to spook the fish and heavy enough for slot sized fish.
Are snook bottom feeders?
Snook are very efficient “up-feeders” but that underslung jaw is designed for pinning prey to the bottom, too. If you sight cast for snook on the flats or in the surf, how often do you see big specimens swimming right at the surface? Probably not often, unless there is a surface feeding frenzy.
What size hook should you use for snook?
The best all around hook size for catching keeper size snook is a 4/0 circle or j hook. A 4/0 hook size is stout enough to bring in a slot sized snook without straightening out but is small enough to catch the smaller snook too.
Are snook active at night?
Those big snook that are way too smart to hit your lure in the daytime will often slam it at night time. All of the inshore predatory fish seem to let their guards down at night. The snook, tarpon, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, they all will hit better at night.
What is the best time to fish for snook in Florida?
The best time to fish for snook in Florida waters is spring and fall with the prime months being April and May as well as September and October. Winter will be your worst time to catch snook in Florida waters. Snook can be found all around Florida's coasts, on both the Gulf and Atlantic side.
Where is the best place to catch snook?
Located about 35 miles south of Port Canaveral on Florida's east coast, Sebastian Inlet - day in and day out, year after year - is probably the best place for snook fishing in Florida, maybe than anywhere else in the world.
The Summary On The Best Snook Lures
It can be tough to determine what the best lure for snook might be, as there are so many different types and brands on the market. That's why we've taken the time to do all of the research for you, sorting through thousands of reviews to bring you our top five picks that will catch fish. Whether you're looking for a swimbait, a plug, or soft plastic jerkbaits, we've got you covered. So what are you waiting for?
Click the button to search prices on the best lures for snook now!
Tight lines,
Bert
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Bert Martin
Bert Martin