Advice needed - Charlotte harbor/Boca Grande

[onefishtwofish]

I am going down at the end of the summer and will be one of two boats for my wife's family reunion. I saw enough of the tarpon fishing to have a feel for what to do-by far from being an expert, but I can show folks fish. My BIL will handle the offshore fishing, so I will be taking folks on the inshore stuff.

I have been there once and saw enough to figure where to try for the big snook. Will the game plan be the same for the little un's? Higher tide, earlier in the day or later in the evening move in close to the mangroves and cover. Topwater and jigs. Do they hit spoons? I'm thinking as the tide is low to look for them on the edges of the channels that are near the structure. I know where to look for the reds and did see some places I wanted to try, but could not get to in his offshore boat. I have a week to figure it out, which would normally be most of the fun, but just wanted some thoughts from any one that has fished for snook. I know they will be closed for keeping, so will not target them as much as the reds and trout.

Any thoughts on conditions, etc to look for in my quest would be greatly appreciated.