March marks the beginning of an exciting transition period for snook fishing at the Ponce Inlet jetty. As water temperatures begin to rise and baitfish activity increases, snook become more aggressive, making it one of the best times to target them from shore. Whether you’re a seasoned jetty angler or new to snook fishing, understanding the best bait, timing, and regulations will greatly improve your chances of landing one of these prized game fish.
Best Baits for Snook at Ponce Inlet
When targeting snook at the jetty, live bait is king. The top choices include:
• Live Shrimp – One of the most effective and readily available baits, shrimp work well when freelined with the current or fished under a float.
• Finger Mullet – As mullet begin to move back into the inlet, snook aggressively feed on them. A live finger mullet rigged on a 4/0 circle hook is a great choice.
• Pinfish – Hardy and active, pinfish are an excellent option for attracting larger snook lurking around the jetty rocks.
• Artificial Lures – If live bait isn’t an option, soft plastic paddle tails, flair hawk jigs, and topwater plugs can be highly effective, especially during low-light conditions.
Best Time to Fish
Timing plays a crucial role in snook fishing success. The best windows to fish the Ponce Inlet jetty in March are:
• Incoming and outgoing tides – Snook position themselves along the jetty, waiting for baitfish to be swept past in the moving current. Fishing the last two hours of an incoming tide and the first two hours of an outgoing tide are ideal.
• Dawn and dusk – Low-light conditions trigger feeding activity, making early mornings and evenings prime times to fish.
• Warm fronts – As cold fronts pass, a few days of warming temperatures can turn snook into aggressive feeders, especially after a stretch of cooler weather.
Rules and Regulations
Florida’s snook regulations are strictly enforced to protect the species. As of 2025, here are the key regulations for the Atlantic Coast, including Ponce Inlet:
• Season: Open from February 1st to May 31st and again from September 1st to December 15th.
• Size Limit: 28 to 32 inches total length (must be within this slot to keep).
• Bag Limit: One per person per day.
• License Requirements: A Florida saltwater fishing license is required, along with a snook permit for those keeping fish.
• Catch-and-Release: Any snook caught outside the legal slot size must be released immediately and handled with care to ensure survival.
Final Tips for Success
• Use a fluorocarbon leader – Snook have excellent vision and sharp gill plates that can cut through standard monofilament. A 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader increases your chances of landing a big one.
• Be patient and stealthy – Snook can be wary of anglers, so avoid making unnecessary noise or casting shadows over the water.
• Watch the structure – The jetty rocks provide snook with cover, but they can also break your line. Keeping pressure on the fish and steering them away from the rocks is crucial.
March offers some of the best opportunities to hook into a trophy snook at Ponce Inlet. By fishing the right tides, using the best bait, and following regulations, you’ll increase your chances of success while helping to preserve one of Florida’s most sought-after inshore species.
Want a higher level of success for less work? You can always book a fishing charter with one of the areas most experienced charter Captains through Ponce Fish Network!
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