Vol 1.1 A Digital Publication
Team Chris and I would like to welcome you to the first edition of the Sea Sniper Digital Magazine; a quarterly publication to share our latest designs, innovations, products and adventures with the Sea Sniper Team. We spend countless hours, buried in resin and sawdust, creating the product that you see in the following pages. It is not easy…. it is not glamorous…. it is not a financial windfall…. it is a labor of love and determination to provide you, our customers, with the highest quality spearfishing equipment on the market today. There is nothing more rewarding than to get a message and photo from one of our customers who has had a fish, trip or dive of a lifetime using their Sea Sniper products. Keep sharing your stories with us and it just may make it into a future publication. In this first edition, make your Christmas list with a look at the latest products and take a trip with us to the Northern Channel Islands for a little “Research and Development” with Team Sea Sniper. We hope you enjoy and we look forward to bringing you more adventures in 2016.
Chris and Bryan
Editor in chief
Development and design
Team Sea Sniper
Photographers
Chris Chaput Bryan Johnson
Sea Sniper 1054 Terminal Way San Carlos, CA 94070 650.610.8773
Chris Chaput Alex Reynaud Dave Rice Dennis Haussler Dam Nguyen Ken Okutake Roy McDennon
Chris Chaput Bryan Johnson Alex Reynaud Rob Brodman Dam Nguyen Alex Reynaud Dave Rice
RearHandle
Hydrodynamic
Speed
Precision
Power
Rear Handle
Sea Sniper Rear Handle “Open Track” Build Details: Mahogany & Red Balau 75cm 90cm 110cm 9/32nd Spear 2 - 5/8th Bands $550 to $700
Sea Sniper Rear Handle “Enclosed Track” Build Details: Mahogany & Red Balau 90cm 110cm 130cm 150cm 9/32nd Spear 2 - 5/8th Bands $625 to $900
Rear Handle
Sea Sniper Rear Handle “Enclosed Track” Build Details: Mahogany & Red Balau Skulls 90cm 110cm 130cm 150cm 9/32nd Spear 2 - 5/8th Bands
Rear Handle
Sea Sniper Rear Handle “Enclosed Track” Build Details: Mahogany & Red Balau Digi Tan 90cm 110cm 130cm 150cm 9/32nd Spear 2 - 5/8th Bands
Rear Handle
Sea Sniper Rear Handle “Enclosed Track” Build Details: Mahogany & Red Balau Digi Blue 90cm 110cm 130cm 150cm 9/32nd Spear 2 - 5/8th Bands
Rear Handle
Power
Range
Precision
Speed
Pro Custom
2015 - 2016 Builds
O R P
The ultimate speargun
Sea Sniper Pro Custom “Carbon” Build Details: Digi Tan 60 inches 5/16th Spear 3 Bands $2,650
Sea Sniper Pro Custom “Convertible” Build Details: Carbon 3D 69 inches 11/32nd & 3/8th Spear 4 Bands & 6 Bands $2,850 * with a quick track swap & two additional bands, this gun is 3/8ths ready
Sea Sniper Pro Custom “Convertible” Build Details: Natural Teak 69 inches 11/32nd & 3/8th Spear 4 Bands & 6 Bands $2,550 * with a quick track swap & two additional bands, this gun is 3/8ths ready
Sea Sniper Pro Custom Build Details: Blue Kryptik Camo 72 inches 3/8th Spear 6 Bands $2,750
Sea Sniper Pro Custom Build Details: Skulls 67 inches 11/32nd Spear 4 Bands $2,550
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The “Chris Chaput Show” “I can’t believe it, I can’t believe I saw it . . . it’s huge!!” You could feel the energy and adrenaline in his words . . . his face told the story . . . that at this moment the fight bell had rung and it was on. Looking down into the water, a yellow weave of spectra traced its way around every kelp stalk within view. That alone told you one thing, this fish was big and it needed to be found fast. The day before was the beginning of what would become a memory for all of us to enjoy and relive. Team Sea Sniper members Chris Chaput, Brian Johnson, Dennis Haussler & Alex Reynaud arranged a trip with Captains George Scheidt & Mike Walker to seek out some of the Northern Channel Islands best spearfishing grounds. It was all about early season White Sea Bass & Halibut and hopefully some late season Ocean White Fish. For those of you who know the Sea Sniper brand and the legendary halibut tattoo on Chris Chaput’s back, you will better understand the roots of this story. This isn’t a one night fling that he sticks a spear in . . . this is a lifelong romance with years of heartache, break offs & bad visibility all mixed together with moments of emotional exhaustion. But like all romance stories, they become your life and for Chris, the pain of the needle that detailed his back was one of many sacrifices he made to his Mother for this exact moment. (On a side note and to clarify, it isn’t actually his mother, but Mother Earth as he explains . . . cleared up for you now) Continuing on now with this story, it is important that you have a good picture of the arsenal on this boat, after all, this was a Team Sea Sniper trip – 1 Custom 65 – 1 Custom 55 – 6 130’s – 8 110’s – 6 90’s – 6 75’s – 2 55’s for a total count of 30 guns. If a western bar shootout was going to break out, we were going in through the front door. Day one in the sand flats of the bays brought little fruition for her son. Diving a customized torso harness and his personal Sea Sniper 90 with slip tip, he was more than prepared, but mother didn’t seem to appreciate the attempt. Most likely viewing his enjoyment of perfect weather and clean water as more than enough of a gift to start his trip out. As night closed in, an empty stringer was replaced by favorite cocktail in hand . . . a special house made Paloma by Captain George. The Paloma, Spanish for dove, is Juice from a whole lime, Squirt, salt & then topped off with Don Julio 1492. Despite “Mothers Little Boy” being fishless, the rest of the team brought huge Calico, Sheephead & Ocean White fish to the table. Alex Reynaud, working the deeper sand flats on the reef walls, landed multiple Ocean White Fish while George Scheidt, Bryan Johnson & Mike Walker pounded football size Calico in the boulder fields. The legend Dennis Haussler worked the deep reef and boulder fields with precision and landed quality Calico after quality Calico . . . and you could almost guess what happened next. It started as soft as a whisper, a single comment referring to how tough the halibut hunting must have been in “7” feet of water . . .
Call it what you want, but Mother woke up that evening, protective blood flowing and wrapped her arm around her son to protect him from the words, just meager words from meager men who hunt meager fish . . . so her son sat back, Paloma in hand, with that special grin and took the beat down like any man should and prepared for a good night sleep, as the game plan for tomorrow showed great promise. The captains of our boats hosted with the charm and grace of professionals on a white glove ship . . . can you feel the sarcasm? George controlled the mother ship, a 50 foot Californian and Mike controlled the assault craft, a 23 foot Boston Whaler with twin 115 Yamahas. The island had no limits and we planned on utilizing our range in search of quality. Day two was a unique plan. Sea Sniper team member Alex Reynaud had been reading about historical catches on the island and had a plan that if the weather held, a long run in the Whaler could offer an opportunity at a rarely hunted area of the island. A barren stretch that is open to the full power of the winds and mixing currents, that has amazing history going back a century, of stories of big Halibut & White Sea Bass catches. The team woke to a perfect morning as little did we know that Mother was smiling on her loving and sweet son . . . yes, that would be Chris. A perfect day for the opportunity of silent vengeance against her son’s so called pals was in her plan. The winds were down, the swell was down and the opportunity to at least get to this barren land was possible. Little time was wasted and with the Whaler on plane, our spot came into view 30 minutes later. This area is a very odd spot if you know the Channel Islands, with big flat sand channels hidden between glass smooth rock fingers. Decorated by very little kelp and complemented with sandy green water. Like any odd or off area to explore, it is an area best described as “when the conditions line up” it has huge potential. The bottom line, we were there and it was going to be hunted regardless. At this time in our story, we should break to discuss how slow Chris Chaput is when getting ready to slip off the boat. Imagine the slowest guy out of your buddies, always looking for his gear and then telling stories instead of getting ready . . . then multiply it by two. We all had our go at him, asking if he was missing anything or needed any last minute assistance as he became the pre-dive whipping boy. Mother was hot with anger by now for sure!! Back in the water, we all started working our plans and looking closely at the sand flats for the faint outline of Halibut and listening for the croaking of White Sea Bass. The water was much better a few feet down and the bottom offered a fairly clean 20 feet of visibility. Diving about 20 yards from Chris, I heard the energized yell of a diver with something going on. Sprinting over to Chris, he turned, “I can’t believe it, I can’t believe I saw it . . . it’s huge!!” You could feel the energy and adrenaline in his words . . . his face told the story . . . that at this moment the fight bell had rung and it was on. Looking down into the water, a yellow weave of spectra traced its way around every kelp stalk within view and under the edges of rock fingers. That alone told you one thing, this fish was big and it needed to be found fast.
Chris started following the line as it worked its way around kelp strands and over sand flats until he finally had a chance to fully consume the visual in front of him . . . the largest Halibut he had ever shot! Moving in from behind, with knife in hand, Chris drove it deep into its brain. Its gills opened wide, its mouth opening wide and large towards to the ocean surface as its back arched, fully engulfing Chris’s hand as he swam this monster to the surface. Mother had given him the gift he cherished the most. A lifetime achievement, from years of experience and dedication resulted in a Halibut that weighed over 40 pounds with a visually glaring white belly and huge opulent green and brown top markings. A memory for Chris that will be etched in stone and something for us all to cherish as it couldn’t have happen to a more deserving hunter. Back on the boat, staring at the monster on the back deck, the anchor was stowed and the hum of idling engines filled the void, Chris gathered our attention one more time, looked at us with that grin and asked us all a very important question, “Would any of you like to hear the story about the old bull and young bull on the hill?”
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Words and Photos: Alex Reynaud
Yamamoto 39 After meticulous testing and design, we are proud to introduce our full line of wetsuits. Built from Yamamoto 39 rubber with our own ergonomic fit, these suits offer the most flexibility and warmth for any diving conditions. Designed by Amadeo Bachar, each camo pattern is unique for specific habitats, so the colors and patterns allow you to blend in perfectly with your surroundings.
Ergonomically designed elbow and knee panels allow for maximum flexibility and fit, while our polyurethane dot pattern helps to provide protection for the neoprene in these high contact areas.
Our scope logo loading pad is the finishing touch and provides the extra padding needed to reload all day with no worries.
3mm Blue Camo Yellowfin Skeletons $380.00 Yamamoto 39 Rubber 2 Piece High Waist Design
5mm Green Camo Yellowtail Skeletons $460.00 Yamamoto 39 Rubber 2 Piece Farmer John Design
7mm Red Camo Halibut Skeletons $540.00 Yamamoto 39 Rubber 2 Piece Farmer John Design
Shafts
Sea Sniper Shafts Build Details: 17-4 Stainless Steel Polished Flopper & Threaded Proprietary Recessed Shark Fin Design American (Square) Notch Sizes & Pricing: 9/32nd (7mm) - Flopper or Threaded $95.00 - Spear Lengths Available (inches): 42 (75cm), 48 (90cm) 56 (110cm), 63 (130cm) & 72 (150cm)
5/16th (8mm) - Threaded $105.00 - Spear Lengths Available (inches): 57, 60 & 65
11/32nd (9mm) - Threaded $105.00 - Spear Lengths Available (inches): 67 & 69
3/8th (10mm) - Threaded $115.00 - Spear Lengths Available (inches): 69 & 72
Shafts
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