Spring saltwater episode
By By Otha Barham
April 5, 2002
For me to miss a morning chasing wild turkey gobblers, I told myself this fishing trip had better be a good one. It was.
The junket was supposed to be for yellowfin tuna. Captain Bobby Bryan of Marsh Masters Guide Service in Leeville, Louisiana had 5 guests set for stalking the prized tuna in the blue Gulf of Mexico waters last week. We were to try one of his newest boats, a 29-foot catamaran-hull rig powered by two 200 horsepower outboard engines.
But the wind was up and the chop too harsh for the 14 mile run to the tuna water and we settled for a go at mangrove snappers instead. We went to bed the night before in the Marsh Masters quarters, knowing the wind forecast. Still we held out hope, after a traditional breakfast of eggs, sausage and biscuits and making our way to the boat, that the seas would calm and we could motor offshore. It was not to be.
My partners were Bobby Cleveland, outdoors editor of the Clarion Ledger, Jill Easton freelance outdoor writer, David Hawkins, Scott County Times sports/outdoors editor and Cleveland's friend Keith Partridge. Captain Ken Meharg and deck hand Matt McLeod completed our party and we caught our limits of mangrove snapper in 30 to 60 foot water beneath oil rigs.
Forewarned
Captain Meharg, knew what lay ahead as we motored past the last marsh grass. The marsh water was calm, but the bay water was rough. And by the time we got 7 miles out to the mangrove schools I was glad we wouldn't brave another 7 miles south. Here I must admit that I was, shall I say in the interest of self pride, uneasy on that run to the oil rigs.
I will admit to clinging steadfastly to everything I could lay my hands on as we negotiated 4-foot waves. I am coming clean because the word about my white knuckles will surely get around. The others were unconcerned and sat with crossed legs and hands in their laps, chatting idly faking fearlessness. "Just look at them," I thought. "But give me a glassy smooth pond, a jon boat and a skulling paddle and I will out fish them all!"
But alas I avoided seasickness and all was well once we tied up to an oil well rig and began catching the big snappers. These fish were in the 3 to 10 pound range and yielded plenty of fine filets for each of us.
The highlight of the trip happened when a huge cobia (lemon fish or ling) grabbed Bobby Cleveland's bait and headed out to sea. The captain cut us loose from the oil rig to give Bobby plenty of room to fight the fish in open water. It so happened that Cleveland was using the lightest rod and line on the boat and the battle was long and difficult. The big fish weighed 63 pounds.
Seldom Sought
The mangrove (or gray) snapper looks like the better known red snapper, including a red tinge to its gray coloration. The colors can vary to greenish gray and it can have rusty areas on the body. It has no dark spot on its rear flank and the back edge of its anal fin is rounded instead of being pointed.
The mangrove snapper is an often overlooked species that is well worth seeking from the Gulf waters. Contact Marsh Masters at 175 Old Highway 1 North, Golden Meadow. LA 70357, phone (985) 396-2411, e-mail marshmasters@mobiletel.com.Check their web site at www.marshmasters.com.
