fbpx

Snoek — How to Catch Thyrsites atun

Photo of author
Last Updated:

The snoek fish or cape snoek is a fast schooling fish that’s often caught as bycatch in offshore waters. It is a long and thin species of snake mackerel that lives in the seas that span the Southern Hemisphere and can grow up to an impressive 2 m in length.

snoek fishing tips
Check out these snoek! Source: Celanth

It is known as the barracouta in Western Australia, and it is called the sierra in Chile and Argentina.

Overview

The fish has a long, narrow, and scaly body that is steely blue above and bright silver, and it has black dorsal and pectoral fins. It also has 3 to 4 large teeth at the front of the mouth and several rows of smaller, triangular teeth that can make short work of soft bait and lures.  

Snoek Facts

Scientific NameThyrsites atun
Common Name(s)Snoek, barracouta, snake mackerel
Identifying CharacteristicsLong, narrow, and scaly body that is steely blue above and bright silver, and it has black dorsal and pectoral fins. It also has 3 to 4 large teeth at the front of the mouth and several rows of smaller, triangular teeth.
LimitsCheck your local regulations
Largest Recorded53 pounds

Snoek Habitat

You can find the snoek fish near continental shelves or around islands feeding on cephalopods and small fish. The fish tend to remain in small schools at the bottom or midwater, and some come up to the surface at night. You can find large numbers of this species of fish in seawater that is between 55°F and 64°F.

How to Catch Snoek 

Snoek or barracouta fish are fast and are known for putting up a fight, so you need a relatively heavy outfit. A medium weight rod and reel combo that can work to catch snapper will also work for this fish but set up with a rig that has a sturdy trace line to prevent bust offs.

If you want to use lures, go for metal ones since these can withstand the sharp bite that this species is known for and is shiny enough to entice the fish. Work the lures to make them seem like injured baitfish, and you can attract a whole school of snoek. If you can afford it, go for a pike for your bait. The fish is more robust than pilchard and will remain on the hook longer.

how to catch snoek
Snoek are a fun fish to catch! Source: Brian Gratwicke

Snoek is usually found deep underwater, so you must ensure that the spinner you use gets to that depth as quickly as possible. You can cast out from the boat and let it sink in before retrieving, but you may have to do a few of these to land on your target.

Once you are sure that the spinner has reached the target depth, start reeling it back to the boat, but make sure you vary the speed. The fish may prefer a fast retrieve some days and bite on a slow one in others. Vary the retrieve so you can find out what works best on a particular day.

Snoek Fishing Tactics

  • A wire trace will help prevent bite offs, which can come in pretty handy when you are using expensive metal lures.
  • Snoek will take live and dead bait, which can include garfish, squid, pilchard, and other smaller fish.
  • Since snoek is schooling fish, the best way to catch them is via handlining. If you are anchored, the fish will be feeding at a certain depth, and once you have figured out that extent, you can set a hand line accurately. The best time to use a rod and reel is when the fish is taking spinners or spoons frequently

Snoek Fishing Tips 

  1. Be careful when you are handling snoek. The teeth, gills, and spines on the fish can do some severe damage if you are not wearing heavy gloves.
  2. Find snoek schools by trolling the water using either squid type lures or medium-sized minnows.
  3. Use a thick leader of 50 to 60kg mono to prevent the fish from biting it off.

Snoek Seasons

Snoek fish can be found year-round in New Zealand, but it feeds intensively during February and March, and the season peaks in April. After that, their numbers decline till October through November when the fish retreats to deep offshore waters. Their numbers increase again once they return to the surface in December.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is snoek not an excellent table fish?

While the feisty fish is fun to catch, it is often thrown back by anglers. That’s because it is filled with tiny bones that can be difficult to remove, and many are infected with parasitic worms. Plus, some are also infested with a microscopic Protozoan parasite that turns its flesh mushy and unpalatable.

What should I do when I catch a snoek?

The fish sheds scales and bleeds heavily when it is reeled in, so use a dehooker to release it over water.

What are the other names for snoek fish?

Snoek is also called barracouta or couta, especially around Australia and New Zealand.

How large can snoek get?

This fish can grow as large as 2 m in length, but it is quite light in weight. Most don’t weigh more than 1.7 or 3 lbs.

Where can I find baby snoek?

Snoek eggs are small and transparent. Fry can be found in bays and estuaries and tend to grow fast.

Insider Advice

Snoek is known for its voracious appetite and the fact that they can be found in large numbers, which can be frustrating if you are fishing for other species. However, that is what makes them fun and easy to catch, especially for novice anglers. Just make sure that you handle them carefully so you can avoid injuries.

The schooling behavior of this fish may seem irrational at first, so don’t be afraid to take your time and understand where you should drop a line.

Jon Stenstrom
Founder & Angler
Jon Stenstrom is a fishing enthusiast. He has over 25 years of fishing experience, and 6 years of spearfishing experience, and is currently learning how to boat. Jon has his Open Water PADI Certification and FII Freediver Level 1 Certification. Jon has traveled the world to fish and dive, most notably in the Great Barrier Reef, Baja Mexico, Thailand, and Malaysia. More Articles
× How can we improve it?
× Thanks for your feedback!

We're always looking to improve our articles to help you become an even better fisherman.

While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? Facebook YouTube

rainbow trout size

How Big Do Rainbow Trout Get?

Are you curious how big do rainbow trout get? Rainbow trout are one of the most popular game fish in the entire world. Trout guide and fly fishing instructor Daniel O’Neill, discusses how big rainbow trout get and how to catch these larger fish.  As a child, one of my earliest fishing memories involved catching
bass jumping out of water

Bass Jumping Out Of Water: What Does it Mean?

Have you ever wondered why bass sometimes jump out of the water? The first time I saw it, I was shocked and made it a point to research why it happened when I got home. In this article, we’ll explore why they jump out of the water and how this knowledge can transform your fishing
how long can you keep fish on ice

How Long Can You Keep Fish on Ice

Are you wondering if the fish you left in your cooler overnight is still safe to eat? I used to think fresh fish was always best, but after talking with chefs, fishmongers, and die-hard fishermen, I changed my perspective on fish storage. This guide examines how long you can store fish before it goes bad.
do bass sleep

Do Bass Sleep? Unraveling the Mystery of Bass Resting Behavior

Curious minds wonder about the secrets hidden beneath the water’s surface. This article will dive deep into the world of bass and uncover the truth about their resting behavior. Along the way, we’ll explore the factors that influence how these popular fish recharge their energy. Whether you’re an angler looking to refine your fishing strategies
northern pike teeth

Northern Pike Teeth: Everything You Need to Know

Northern pikes are natural predators whose teeth are razor-sharp, designed to slice and dice their prey. The teeth multiply as the pike grows. How many teeth a pike has depends on the age and size, but generally, a fully grown pike can have up to 700 teeth. Additionally, the length of their teeth depends on
muskie teeth

Muskie Teeth: All You Need to Know

Muskies are freshwater predators with hundreds of razor-sharp teeth to help them tear their prey. They have dozens of bigger canines and other small teeth arranged in rows. For example, grown-up muskies can have about 500 to 700 teeth in their mouth, and their biggest canine can range up to one inch in length. Muskie’s