Snook Tagging

Written by Capt. John Hand | 13 February 2010
Posted in Captain's - Blog

Snook Tagging

I was recently given the opportunity to participate in a Snook Tagging Operation on a little creek at Charlotte Harbor with Dr. Aaron Adam’s student assistant Andrew Barbour.

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers actively supports and recruits volunteers to help Dr. Adam’s with his Marine Biology study.  Being a Charter Captain, I am always interested in learning more about the fish I target in my guide operation.

I arrived at our launch site, and found our high tech gear consisted of an old beat up aluminum canoe and a 100ft. seine net, which we loaded and launched.  My first observation was why the heck were we looking for little Snook in this area.  The creek was very shallow, with very few holes. The day was cold and sunless with a cold north wind, and I could not image we would find any Snook here.  I was right.  We paddled to the mouth of the creek, got out, I took one end of the net and Andrew took the other.  We stretched the net out then started wading up and toward each other. Next we pulled the net making the circle smaller and smaller until we had retrieved all the net.  After 8 different pulls we finally were rewarded with one 6 inch Snook.  I have never worked so hard for so little reward.

We took our little 6 inch Snook, Andrew made an incision in the abdomen just forward of the anal fin.  He inserted a tiny sensor, and then massaged the area on the fish to put it in place.  He released the fish, and we watched it swim away. Each day is different.The day before at a different creek Andrew and volunteers tagged over 100 Snook.

The sensor identifies each Snook and gives the researchers the ability to track their movement patterns, and growth if recaptured.  They have stationary sensors placed in creeks, which record fish movement when the fish pass over the sensors.  Andrew showed me where they had some sensors located.  I was told some Charter Captains have wands on their boats, so they can scan the Snook caught and record the location and size of the fish.

The information gathered has helped researchers to better understand the Snook fisheries and Andrew’s Theory that a lot of Snook movement and location is governed by cannibalism, therefore when big Snook move in small Snook move out.

It was an enjoyable day, getting to know Andrew and experiencing first hand the efforts Andrew and others like him go to secure the future of our fisheries.  So if given an opportunity, volunteer, and give a little back. You can check with your local fly fishing club for opportunities to volunteer for projects such as Snook Tagging, Sea grass Surveys, Youth Clinics, Project Healing Waters, and Project Open Arms.