Western Outdoor News:  April 2007

SCHWEITWATER:  By Bradley Schweit
Fresh SNAP’r

Let me begin this column by exclaiming that in no way, shape or form do I consider myself to be an avid trout fisherman.  Far from it.  My fortes are largemouth and striped bass, and aside form sporadic forays to local lakes or the Eastern Sierra’s, my trouting experience is by no means extensive.  That’s not to say, however, that my knowledge of both the species’ and various approaches for targeting the salmonoids is minimal.  As WON’s resident “Freshwater Guy”, I make every attempt to be as educated and up-to-date on ALL aspects of the freshwater angling realm.
            That being said, I feel it to be my journalistic responsibility to keep readers informed of new developments in freshwater tackle and gear.  And while attending last weekend’s Fred Hall Show in Del Mar, one innovative device in particular caught my attention.
            I was first introduced to the SNAP’r when the company came on board as one of the myriad sponsors for last year’s TroutfesT.  Truth be told, it wasn’t so much the product itself which captured my interest, but rather the honest, unpretentious nature of the dynamic duo behind the SNAP’r, Brad Matz and his wife Sarah.  Simply put, they developed an innovative product and were looking to spread the word.
            Well, word has indeed traveled fast and the SNAP’r is rapidly gaining popularity amongst the SoCal trouting set.  “But what,” you may ask, “is the SNAP’r?”
            For those who have yet to hop on the bandwagon, or are unaware of what the SNAP’r is or does, allow me to explain.  At its most basic level, the SNAP’r is a spring-loaded, castable automatic hook-setter.  The angler’s mainline attaches to the device itself, and a length of leader material ties to the swivel at the other end of a short length of coated wire.  Once rigged and baited, the angler “cocks” the device, and casts.  When a trout grabs the offering, the SNAP’r engages and sets the hook.
            Upon pondering or even examining the device firsthand, one may ask the very same question I once did before giving the SNAP’r further consideration.  “Doesn’t that remove some of the fun?”  And while the answer may seem obvious at first, consider the number of anglers who pursue trout from the shores of lakes such as Irvine, Hesperia, Angler’s Little Lake, and especially SARL.  I say “especially” in regards to the Santa Ana River Lakes as I’ve witnessed numerous instances of anglers watching their rods dance from afar, and nearly kill them-selves while hurtling over anglers, ice chests and gear in a futile attempt to reach their rigs which are nearly always resting motionless by the time they arrive.
            Insofar as “fun” is concerned, the last time I checked, fishermen fish to catch fish, not return home empty-handed.  Attaching a bobber to the mainline, or even clamping a bell onto the rod tip are indeed effective visual and aural indicators of a bite, but neither approach contributes to the actual landing of a fish.  As odd as the SNAP’r may look, and as crazy as the concept may seem, the darn thing works.
            But why stop at trout?  Striper fishermen using cut baits will undoubtedly find the contraption to be more than useful, not to mention catfish anglers.  The SNAP’r even has a built-in “chum strip” for the absorption and disbursement of an angler’s favorite scent for added appeal.
            The device truly shines, however, when utilized for fishing live baits such as nightcrawlers or dough baits for trout.  But don’t take my word for it.  Check ‘em out for yourself.
            Freshwater columnist Bradley Schweit, who has, at one point or another, used every bell and whistle in the trout fishing book- literally and figuratively- can be reached by e-mail at brad@wonews.com.