Take Your Fly Rod Out After Dark
By Capt. Pat Damico

Snook action is hot around lighted docks and bridges. At night, the forage that is most readily responsible for the “pop” made by Snook as they slam the surface is a small shrimp. A fly fishing friend, Brad Lowman, was night fishing along the sea wall at one of our passes during a strong outgoing tide and could see small shrimp being devoured by large Snook. Using a shrimp pattern, Brad was able to connect with some Snook by having his fly duplicate the free floating natural baits. Cast your fly across or up tide and mend your line to avoid “drag.” Mending can be accomplished by making an aerial mend with a reach cast. Do this by making your conventional cast, and as the line straightens, slip line with the line hand as you move the rod up current before the fly hits the water. Conventional mending, using the rod tip in a slow roll, as used in stream fishing for trout or smallmouth bass, also works. A simple alternative is to shake your rod tip and release line with your line hand after the cast, as your offering drifts in the current. Some strikes are very subtle, others will be explosive. Pulling your shrimp fly against the current will get constant refusals.

Always spend a few minutes observing the water and conditions before your first cast. Keen observations will tell you what pattern to use, size they are taking, location of most fish, and if their take is deep or shallow.

A nine weight rod, with a weight forward line should work. Spend the extra money for fluorocarbon leader material. I usually use a thirty pound tippet, which you should check carefully for damage after each fish. If there is any structure around, Snook will head for cover. When this happens, if you can’t turn the fish with rod pressure, ease up on the tension and the fish will occasionally swim out to deeper water.

Shrimp patterns can be simple or complex. I’m including a simple pattern that works.

Capt. Pat Damico
Email: flyguy@captpat.com
Web Site: http://captpat.com/