An Oklahoma angler is reeling in some big smiles with a video on his social media account.
Some of Justin Ramirez’s earliest memories involve fishing with his dad when he was just four years old.
“We got him fishing and he loved it,” said Juan Ramirez, Justin’s father.
Justin said his family thought it was just a phase and that he'd grow out of it.
“The only thing is that he would have his sister put all the worms on the hook and take the fish off,” Juan said. “But now he does a lot of that himself.”
Now, 19, Justin’s passion grew so much he’s doing all he can to pass his favorite past time on to young relatives, neighbors and even strangers.
“It's always a bonus getting a good old bite,” Justin said. “Having that tug on your line. I love it. I can't ever get enough, it never gets old.”
On one fateful day while fishing at Lake Keystone, he got that tug. His first bite of the day. He knew the striped bass would put up one heck of a fight.
“They fight so dang hard,” he said. “They hit like freight trains.”
As the excitement filled the air, Justin saw a father teaching his young son how to fish, but not having the same luck. Without hesitation, Justin stepped in and changed the boys life.
That was the first one I caught. I ran down and I gave him that pole immediately because I didn't know if we'd get another one, so I figured this was the best opportunity to let him get on one.
Justin said the look on the boy’s face as he caught his first fish while dad proudly watched, is something he’ll never forget.
“The opportunity was there,” Justin said. “I knew he probably would have been sitting there for the rest of the day with nothing else. And I was like, man I got to give him this fish at least.”
A video is reeling in lots of views to Justin’s Instagram account where thousands of anglers follow along as he spreads the joy of fishing and puts smiles on faces, young and old.
“I just love it,” he said. “I've got nothing else. I'm just so passionate about it and I just want everyone to catch one. I just love putting people on to (fishing).”
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