The Fishing, Diving and Boating Magazine of the Florida Keys

FishMonsterM A G A Z I N E

March/April 2016 Volume 6 Issue 2

$3.99 US

The Spindle Beak Invasion

MARCHPERMITMADNESS

Choosing aCharter Boat

Exposure Suits Explained

What’s Wrong with the Regulations?

THE FLORIDA KEYS HAS A LOT TO OFFER ANGLERS BY CAPT. MIKE MAKOWSKI

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7For the shallow water angler, spring in the Florida Keys is a time of great anticipation. Water temperatures are on the rise and the winter cool fronts, with their stiff north winds, are on the wane.

IT’S PERMIT TIME BY CAPT. RANDY MORROW

FANCY JACKSBY GRIF HELWIG

ISLAMORADA OFFSHORE REPORTBY CAPT. RICK RODRIGUEZ

MARCH MADNESSBY CAPT. BOBBY MANSKE

EXPOSURE SUITSCAPT. ERIC BILLIPS

SETTLING INTO THE SPRING SEASON! BY CAPT. RICK STANCZYK

TRIPS LIKE THISBY CAPT. NICK STANCZYK

FishMonsterM A G A Z I N E

March/April 2016 Contents

LANE SNAPPER

THE FISHMONSTER MARCH

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COVER PHOTO

Air Marine Operations Agent Alex Abreu spent a month working in Key West and took some time to fish in the Gulf of Mexico where he found the biggest lane snapper he’s ever caught. A true FishMonster-sized lane snapper......that’s for sure

EDITOR’S NOTE

READER PHOTOS

ARTIFICIAL WRECK & REEF COORDINATES

FLORIDA KEYS FISHING REGULATIONS

While editing this month and diving in to the depths of Florida Keys and Key West saltwater wisdom we were reluctant to come to the end of the stack. You would think that after all these years, we’d have become accustomed to the sheer volume of top notch advice provided by the best of the best in the adventure coordination business. The opposite was true, we continue to learn something new each and every month.

As you read, you will feel the passion for permit fishing in articles by kayak fishing expert Randy Morrow, Key West Captain Mike Bartlett and Key West Captain Grif Helwig. These articles contain the holy grail of permit fishing information.

Captain Gene Chrzanowski continues his highly educated explanation of the Key West Charter Captain lifestyle plus offers sound advice on choosing the right charter for you and your crew.

Marathon Captain Bobby Manske calls the winter of 2016 the worst in 40 years and expresses his excitement that it is hopefully finished. He’s dead on with this one. Captain Joe Hendrix from the Fearless out of Islamorada describes his experiment with seasickness. They don’t call him “Fearless” for nothing.

Captain John Sahagian from Little Torch Key in the spirit of the political season expresses his distaste for how our fishing regulations are implemented. The common theme is consistent, private interest moving the political power brokers. It seems to be an American epidemic even in the fishing world.

In this March edition we have done it, we really have. This is the best FishMonster Magazine......ever.

Thank you for your support. : )

~ Capt. Marlin & Dianne

Advertising Inquiries 305-432-0046 Sales@FishMonster.comPO Box 420844 Summerland Key, FL 33042 www.FishMonster.com 305-432-0046

ALL CONTENTS COPYRIGHTED

4 FishMonster.com

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the FishHead of the Month send us your

picture! Tell us when and where you were and why you think you measure up. you could win a

FishMonster TSHIRT! email us atcontest@fishmonster.com!

Harrison Calder and Mark Bonutti

FishHeadof the Month

Junior Fishmonsters

of the Month

If you know someone who should be featured here send a photo and the

reason why to photos@fishmonster.com.

Neil Rojas from Cudjoe Sales shows his

FishMonster colors while holding a full-sized lit up wahoo caught

with brother Justin and Capt. Mike Douin offshore of Cudjoe Key.NOBODY loves to fish in the

Florida Keys more than Neil Rojas.LOOK AT THAT SMILE!

Budding young anglers Harrison Calder (center) and Mark Bonutti worked

together to land this massive 30 pound African Pompano on December 31st.