Bait Snook will eat anything that looks good to them and is in range when they are hungry. Their favorite food is a small live fish, but live shrimp and small crabs are seldom turned down. Anglers should learn to use cast nets if they don't already know so that they can net their own bait. Usually you can freeline a bait fish and let it drift with the current. Occasionally a split shot is added to the line in areas where the current is especially strong.
Artificial lures are also popular baits for snook.
Both soft and hard bodied lures shaped like baitfish, jigs tipped with shrimp and gold or silver spoons are traditional favorites. MirrOlures and Zara Spooks are two of the more popular brand names that you hear many when talking about catching snook. Ask at a local bait and tackle store which size, style and colors combination is working best at the moment. When fishing for snook, cast your bait as close to the structure or shoreline as possible. Snook often will pass up a good looking meal if it doesn't pass right in front of its nose.