While most snook fishing from a bridge is done with a pyramid sinker, you can pretty much guarantee getting hung up with that same rig while fishing from jetties. That much weight found in a sinker of that shape and placement on the line usually finds itself perfectly wedged between rocks. Jettys provide perfect feeding grounds for Snook as they are a true ambush predator.
For jetties, attach your line to a single barrel swivel and then attach a long 20 to 40 pound test leader a couple feet in length. The extra length help if a snook decides to crawl into the jetties and attempt to break off. If the current or rocks are especially rough or you know linesider snook inhabit the area you may wish to increase your leader test size. Snook can grow in excess of over 40″ and really are Hulks with a body designed for bashing, thrashing and ultimately throwing or cutting that leader when threatened.
Attach the hook to the leader like normal but avoid any use of additional weight. Occasionally you can attach some split shot 12 inches above the bait to help cast if necessary. This should provide adequate weight to get you bait down to where the snook are waiting to ambush bait. Depending on the tide, you may need to increase the wait. Remember, tide movement catches snook.
Fresh, lively bait is the key here. Snook are absolute bait snobs and will turn their nose up at anything dead. Their ambush nature cannot be denied.. The other tip is to let the bait do the work and swim around on it’s own or let the current take it. That is why it’s important to not use too much weight and to use larger bait that can fight a decent current if it exists. There is always the itch to work the bait or jig it which is a mistake, you want that bait acting like it normally would when out in the open…panicked!
