Best Times & Seasons to Catch Snook in Texas (Full Guide)
Snook are some of the most popular fish to target in Texas. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch snook in Texas helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.
The best time to catch snook in Texas is during the summer, from late spring to early fall. Fish near dawn or dusk for the most activity.
Texas offers world-class snook fishing throughout the year. Snook can be found in Texas’s inlets, tidal creeks, and around jetties and piers. Uncover the secrets of the best fishing times in Texas with this guide.
Best Times to Catch Snook in Texas
The best time to catch snook in Texas is from late spring to early fall, especially around June and July. During these warmer months, snook are more active and often found in areas where rivers flow into the ocean. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for them because that’s when they usually feed. Using live bait like shrimp or small fish can improve your chances.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch pompano in Texas.
Seasonal Breakdown: Snook in Texas
Winter
In winter, snook fishing in Texas can be a bit challenging. The fish don’t like cold water, so they move to deeper, warmer areas. You won’t find them as easily close to the shore. A good place to look for them is where a stream joins the ocean.
The best time to fish for snook in winter is mid-day when the sun has warmed the water a little. Live bait like shrimp can help you catch them, even in the colder months.
Spring
Spring is another good season for snook fishing in Texas. As the water starts to warm up, snook move from deeper waters to areas close to the shore. A great place to find them is where a river meets the sea. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually the best times of day to fish.
You can use live bait like shrimp or small fish to attract them. So, when spring comes, go to the spots where rivers empty into the ocean, and try fishing in the early morning or late afternoon.
Summer
Summer is a great time to catch snook in Texas. These fish like warm water, come closer to shore when it heats up. The best spots to find them are where rivers flow into the ocean. Early morning and late evening are the coolest times of day, when snook like to eat.
Fall
In the fall, catching snook in Texas can be tricky because they start moving to deeper waters. Early fall is your best chance when the water is still somewhat warm. You can often find them in places where rivers join the ocean. Early morning and late afternoon are still the best times to fish for snook.
Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day
If you want to catch snook in Texas, the best time to go fishing is when the tide is coming in or going out. Fish like to eat when the water moves, so you’ll find them most active. Early morning and late afternoon are also good times to fish because snook like to feed when the sun is not too bright.
High tide is another good time to catch snook because they move closer to shore to find food. The worst times to fish for snook are during low tide and when the sun is bright at noon. They don’t like shallow water and are more likely to hide from the heat.
So, try to avoid fishing during these times if you can. Also, when the water isn’t moving, like at dead high or low tide, snook are not as active and it’s harder to catch them. A good spot to find snook is where a river flows into the ocean.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Texas
These Texas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and will put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Grace Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Drift Water Charters | South Padre Island, TX |
| The Bay Bandits | Port O’Connor, TX |
| Galveston Offshore | Galveston, TX |
| Lil Joe’s Guide Service | Port Aransas, TX |
| Bravo Zulu Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Team Liberty Guide Service | Corpus Christi, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing | Galveston, TX |
| Bodes Bay Fishing | Port Isabel, TX |
Night Fishing for Texas Snook
The best time to catch them is during a moving tide, either coming in or going out. Snook are more active when the water is moving, even at night. Early night, just after sunset or late at night just before sunrise are also good times. Try to fish where a river joins the ocean because snook like to hang out there. The worst time is during a still tide when the water isn’t moving much.
Top Texas Snook Locations
Galveston Bay: Snook like to hang out here in the summer. Early mornings are the best times to catch them. You can find them where a river flows into the bay.
Corpus Christi Bay: Spring and fall are the best seasons here. Fish near the spots where streams flow into the bay for the best chances.
Port Aransas: Summer is the season for snook. They like to be around jetties and piers, especially during high tide.
South Padre Island: Spring and fall are good seasons. Snook are often found near inlets and jetties, especially when the tide is coming in.
Aransas Pass: Summer and early fall are best. Look for snook where creeks enter the bay area.
San Antonio Bay: Late spring to early fall is the prime time. Fish near spots where fresh water mixes with saltwater.
Matagorda Bay: Fall is a good season. Snook are often found where rivers and streams meet the bay.
Rockport: Summer and early fall offer the best snook fishing. High tide is the best time to find them.
Port Mansfield: Late spring and summer are good times. Snook like the areas where water from inland mixes with the ocean.
Baffin Bay: Fall and spring are the best seasons. Snooks gather where water flows into the bay, especially in the early morning.
Texas Snook & Weather
Snook in Texas are affected by the weather a lot. Warm weather is their favorite. When it’s hot, you’ll find them in shallow water areas. But when it gets cold, snook move to deeper water where it’s warmer. They don’t like cold snaps and can even get sick if the water gets too chilly.
Rain can make rivers flow faster and stir up the water. Snook like this because it means more food gets washed into the water for them to eat. Windy days can be tricky. If the wind is too strong, it might be hard to fish. But a light wind can make the water’s surface choppy, making it harder for snook to see you. The best spots for snook are usually where a river flows into the ocean.
Texas Snook Spawning Seasons
Snook in Texas usually spawn from April to October, but the peak is around June and July. During this time, they like to be near the mouths of rivers, where the river water flows into the ocean. This is where they lay their eggs. They choose places with strong currents because the currents help to scatter their eggs.
