By RAY MARKHAM

Snook are taking the plunge into back country areas.  It’s not because it’s cold, which usually triggers their movement, but it’s the change in seasons with the shorter daylight hours. Fish have been pouring in from the beaches, passes and edges of the Gulf on their way up the Manatee River. Other rivers are experiencing similar movement. 
   
Bait schools are still plentiful in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters, so the scaled sardine continues to be the snook’s preferred forage. The MirrOlure MirrOdine has been one of the top producing baits for snook, just ahead of the DOA Shrimp.  As cooler weather moves south, expect shrimp (both live and artificial) to take over as the preference, since the availability of shrimp will dominate over pilchards. 

Areas just outside the river are holding fish, from Seven Pines on the Bulkhead into the river and inside Terra Ceia, Miguel, and Joe bays.  Deep potholes are holding fish early and late in the day as the tide drops out. Tuesday night’s full moon has water moving at peak rates, making for good ambush opportunities. 

Early morning hours just before daybreak and late afternoon/early evening are prime times to target snook right now.  Tides at this level are perfect, and overcast nights will help keep snook feeding later than usual. Topwater lures provide some of the most exciting action, with explosive strikes. The orange-and-gold Rapala Skitterwalk, 94MR21Top Dog and gold chrome/chartreuse She Pup from MirrOlure have been some of my most productive topwater lures.

Trout season closed fairly quietly in the south region this past weekend, and extra caution must be taken while removing hooks and releasing these fish. Pinching down barbs on hooks can help facilitate live release.

Ray Markham co-hosts “Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live,” Saturdays from 7-8 a.m. on 1040 AM, and may be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.