Snook are a mainstay of the Pine Island Sound fishery. It’s catch-and-release for the species here after season closes December 1. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Paulson)
Fishing Pine Island Sound, just off North Captiva Island, had yet to bring tarpon to any of the boats nearby. A big storm had rolled through, likely pushing the silver kings offshore for a couple of days. I took a bite of my sandwich and scanned the water as Capt. Josh Santangelo of Screaming Reels Charters readied the boat to try our luck in the mangroves in search of snook, part of the inshore Pine Island Sound Grand Slam that includes redfish and seatrout.
Out of the blue, the line started zinging, and we knew immediately this was a giant fish. I worked to the boat what we initially thought was a tarpon, but as the big fish twisted out of the water and shot into the air, it revealed itself as a large spinner shark. I fought the fish for some time before the leader parted, a testament to the species variety in the Pine Island Sound area.
