Another classic we are all familiar with is the Bucktail or Feather Jig. A local-owned business rendition of these is the Don’s Potbelly Jigs. Recently, I’ve been drawn to using jigs again, and the Don’s has been a legit slayer! I use the white 3/8 oz jig tipped with a piece of shrimp or a strip of the Fishbites EZ shrimp. This setup will draw the most finicky Snook to bite. It’s a great search bait that casts well, has a great sink rate, and again, is easy to use. Just slowly roll it back to you close to the bottom, with the occasional jigging motion, and you too will become a believer in the jig and come back to using this well-known classic lure.

Finally, soft baits, soft plastics… I heard a wise man once say that inshore and backcountry fishing is like bass fishing with tides. Well, folks, dust off your Zooms and Z-man, and put them to work! A good old Texas rig with a fluke/jerk shad, and you have my favorite Snook lure. The Texas rig is pretty much weedless and allows an aggressive cast that will enable you to be bold and put the bait “in their living room” deep into the mangroves where those wily big girls will be hiding out. Almost any 4- or 5-inch variation in white, off-white or white with specs is what I have tied on and thrown 95% of the time. Organic colors like Pinfish, Shiner, Shad and Houdini are also solid performers and second choices in my arsenal. Cast it, let it settle, and it’s a simple jerk and pause, almost like a sub-surface walk-the-dog action. Just remember, it’s a slower retrieve than you may think… keep that lure in the strike zone and make that Snook WANT IT.