The northern distribution is limited by the 50° F water isotherm, but during warm winters, some individuals may move north of this usual range. The distribution then becomes disjunct, and they are found again from southwest Texas, south along central and south America, to about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The four smaller species (2 through 5) are found in south-central and extreme southern Florida, usually upstream in coastal rivers or less saline habitats in upper estuaries.Ĭommon snook are normally found in southern coastal Florida, from about Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic coast, around the peninsula, to about Tarpon Springs on the gulf coast.

ensiferus, is rare it is the smallest species and has a disproportionately large anal spine.

pectinatus, is another small form with a squarish body, but it has larger scales than the fat snook does and has an upturned mouth, similar to a tarpon's mouth. With slightly larger scales and fewer gill rakers than the small-scale fat snook, this species has been found only on Florida's east coast between Sebastian and Jupiter. parallelus, which seldom reaches 24 inches, has a squarish-shaped body covered with scales that are smaller than those on the common snook.

In Florida waters, it may grow to 48 inches and 38 pounds.

The common snook is the largest and most common and is the species caught by most anglers.

The majority of anglers pronounce the name as 'snook' (like took), but in parts of south Florida, it is pronounced 'snuke' (like fluke). The word 'snook' comes from the Dutch word 'snoek,' meaning pike. Anglers call the common snook many names, but the two most common are robalo and linesider. The common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, is one of Florida's most popular inshore game fish because of its spectacular fighting ability and merit as table fare.

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Old Snook for apple instal