homemade snooter?

[teamjefe]

does anybody have any instructions with pictures on how to make a homemade billfish snooter?

[FESS]

was in an old Marlin mag or Sportfishing mag.....4-6 years ago I think.

[Bert Rodgers]

I never used one or talked to someone who has. I don't really see them as a practical tool.

Bert

[FESS]

by yourself or with limited crew, it may not be worth the time or whatever but in the hands of the right crew it's a dream for lure and hook retrievals (good for the fish too) and makes it safer due to the extra control i think.

[Roddy Hays]

"I never used one or talked to someone who has. I don't really see them as a practical tool."

Bert, for someone who has never used one or talked to someone who has, you seem to have formed a remarkably informed opinion of them. Thank you for your comments.

teamjefe, I'll send you some photos and diagrams in a pm so we don't clutter up Mr Rodgers' bandwith here. As Fess says, in certain situations they're an invaluable tool and you'll find them aboard an awful lot of boats that specialise in catching big billfish - especially in the east and south Atlantic, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and in the Pacific. There's even a few American boats that use them too Open-minded and forward-thinking captains the world over have been using them since the mid 90's when Peter Wright first reported seeing them in Madeira. They're an ideal tool for reviving and controlling big blue marlin alongside a boat, especially when your concern for the fish is great enough that you might take up to 30 minutes or more sometimes to revive a really spent brown one.

They're of no use for smaller billfish, although some do use them on striped marlin and blacks - as a rule though, the smaller the fish the less the need for a snooter, and it becomes impractical to use them on fish that have been caught quickly on heavy tackle. Most black marlin do not need reviving and it can be downright dangerous to try using them in a black, but that does not stop Top Gun making a nice shiny version they sell in their catalogue down under.

I've made many for the NMFS, when Eric Prince and his cohorts have taken the use of them to a higher level for holding fish by high-sided boats as they take data and play with tags.

As Allen says, they keep the fish away from the boat and its anti-fouling, keep the fish's head underwater for revival, and ensure a great deal of safety to a person removing hooks. Indeed, many people have commented on how a violent fish becomes quite docile and calm on the snooter - which is the precise reason they are the tool of choice for those inserting expensive satellite tags into fish, where the aim is to ensure the carrier is a healthy active fish and not a 50/50 release.

teamjefe, watch out for a pm, and you'll understand more. Thank you for your interest - it's obvious you're one of the forward thinking and intelligent fisherman

[Roddy Hays]

Indeed, here's a shot of a 1000lb plus fish (short length 11' 10") on a snooter taken not four days ago. One man can hold a fish that size without problem, and her head is in the water where she can breath properly.

Highly impractical, obviously.

[Phat Mann]

Forgive me for being dumb but I would like to have a snooter for our arsenal.

Where can I get one?

Sure sounds like something that when the time comes, and we all hope it does, you may wish you had one.

[Roddy Hays]

Phat Mann,

I've put you on the PM instructional list. It's getting longer by the hour....

Roddy

[Capt Carl]

Hey Roddy,
Please send me the info as well. I made one from PVC pipe and stainless cable and it has served me well the few times I have needed it. This might be a good topic to discuss, and you certainly are one with lots of experience here.
Best,
Carl

[Sea Draggin]

Shoot me the PM. I'm not afraid to post it.

I did notice the other day Meltons sells one.

http://www.meltontackle.com/catalog/...oduct_id=13464