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Patrick Larson
Patrick,
Here we go again, or as I prefer to call it "Snapper Slapper slaps snapper, part 2."
Took a trip out with Capt. Johnny Williams on the Texsun II this past Friday, Aug. 17. Really wasn't expecting too much 'cause most of the fishing reports had been pretty poor the last little while. I brought two friends with me, Barry Blevins from Kirbyville and Duane Ferrell of League City. Told them not to expect a lot but that I would guarantee them that with the tackle I had for them to use if anyone caught fish, it would be us.
I had seen in one of your write-ups that you had great success on your last trip with a Snapper Slapper, Jr. I won't say that I was skeptical (I've learned by now that if Patrick says it, take it to the bank) but although I never bought a Jr I had seen them and thought they were "cute" but not what I could use off-shore. With all my trust in you and Snapper Slapper I none-the-less had Duane pick up three of them (see, triple faith) for me. While you were down there seeing the boat off, I asked you about your mention of using the Snapper Slapper, Jr. and you were kind enough to share your time with me and describe the way you fished it.
Much to my surprise, when boarding the boat I discovered that a customer - and friend - of mine, Charlotte Daniel of Liberty and her sister Karen from Austin were not only taking the trip with us, but also that they were fishing the two spots directly to my left. It was the first time that either one of them had ever been snapper fishing and in fact, the first time Charlotte had ever been off-shore. Since I was fishing in your usual spot, I assume that Mr. Williams had assigned them there knowing that you would explain the technique and help them if they had any problems.
Don't let me lose you now, it gets to the good stuff pretty soon.
To make an over-simplification of the adventure, I had all five of us and even Capt. Williams singing "Snapper Slapper!" It was amazing. Not only did we all get our limit of real nice snapper and a near limit of kingfish, but let me just say that there were a lot of other people on the boat who took home a limit due to our "assistance". The ladies were catching snapper and king like they had been fishing all their life.
Duane was outfitted with a 1/2oz red/white Jr and used it almost all day until something a little bigger than his line would handle decided to keep it for a souvenir. Barry fished a 1oz orange/black Snapper Slapper and I started with the pink/yellow 1/2oz Jr. The ladies next to me were mostly sharing my rod and reel, kind of taking turns.
From the moment our lures hit the water it was non-stop action. Almost four hours of "lure out, fish in." I never get tired of people around us asking, "what are you using?!" cause that gives me the opportunity to sing, literally, the praises not of "RotoRooter" but of "Snapper Slapper!"
Do Russell and that bunch at Snapper Slapper in Texas City make anything that doesn't work? Sure wish they made cars and computer programs! I have never seen anything like it. A product that does what it is supposed to do not only in the hands of a professional like you, but also by a no-better-than-average fisherman like me and pure novices like Charlotte and Karen. Snapper Slapper and Capt. Williams had quite a few happy customers that day.
On a more serious note - I am by no means a marine biologist and I don't believe the sport fisherman is damaging the snapper population, but I am concerned when I have to turn back an immature fish that I feel has no chance of survival. As a purely objective observation, it seems to me that since using Snapper Slapper lures, even with the Jr, I am catching more mature fish and fewer undersized. I know that other people around me seem to be throwing back a larger percentage of their catch. If that is in-fact the results other people are getting, it makes me proud to be using a product that not only makes me more successful as a fisherman, but also, as a sportsman helps me protect the fisheries so that 50 years from now our great-grandchildren can too sing "Snapper Slapper!"
If you are by their place anytime soon, please tell them for me how much they are appreciated.
Going back out tomorrow (8-19) with Capt. Williams and crew. I'm just a salt-water hog I guess. Love it out on the water.
Hope to see you soon on the Texsun II...
Patrick Larson
Winnie, TX