Causeway tuggin', Surf pounding, Flats stalking, Inlet stomping, and channel digging. Everyone wants snook............. Heck I know I felt that way Thursday morning September 1st just a week and a half ago or so.

We woke up early it was my sons birthday. We got to the ramp and light and decided to hit a flat that I had been watching for a week or so. I knew they were there. I had been popped on top water there several times and lost really really big fish. My Father and my son were joining me.

As I pulled back on the throttle on the skiff I quickly killed the engine and looked at my dad. We both kind of smiled as we heard the bait start to move and then we both franticly reached for our weapons. Today, it would be light tackle. Bait of choice? Artificial. Specifics? Top water skitter walks. My personal favorite.

Within several minitues we had both been nailed good and missed a hook up. Several other minutes passed and then it happened. I can't explain the feeling I get when I see the water exploding and bait flying. There were hundreds of threadfin herring flying across the flat trying to get away from the freight train of a snook behind them.

This fish was way out of range so I jumped on the poling platform and silently stalked the fish that was owning this flat.

After poling slowly around for 15 minutes or so he surfaced again. I quickly reeled in my line, which was on the wrong side of the boat and casted directly into the water that was slowly beginning to calm down. Within a couple of twitches it happened. The water exploded! He didn’t grab hold. He missed completely. 10 years ago I would have thrown the rod in the bottom of the boat and given up. I have lost a rod doing that..... Instead I patiently stalled the skitter walk and then gave it two or thee good twitches. FISH ON!

He made several good runs and we landed him. Took a couple pictures and release her. She went 41 inches and was a great addition to an empty picture frame on the wall.

People all over south Florida have been pounding the jetties, piers, catwalks, bridges, flats and surf in search for this wonderful epicureans delight the common snook. Whether you are fishing heavy-duty gear on the bridges or light tackle on the flats we encourage you to have fun and be courteous to those fishing around you. There are plenty of people out there and it is wise to pay attention to where those baits are floating.

The mullet run has begun and if you are wondering they are in ft. pierce north of the north bridge headed south. It looks to be a healthy run and we look forward to hearing all the snook "O" Rama stories.

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