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The Fishing, Diving and Boating Magazine of the Florida Keys

FishMonsterM A G A Z I N E

MAY/JUNE 2016 Volume 6 Issue 4

Flats Rigging for the Kayak Angler

shark divingin the keys

fishing with kids

Dolphintournaments

Grouper Seasonstarts

tarpon fever: An Epidemic

WE’RE IN THE BIGHT! BY CAPT. GRIF HELWIG

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22TARPON FEVER:AN EPIDEMIC BY CAPT. MIKE MAKOWSKI

FLATS RIGGING FOR THE KAYAK ANGLERBY CAPT. RANDY MORROW

TALKING ‘EM INTO EATINGBY CAPT. BEAU WOODS

DANCES WITH MUTTONSBY BY JORGE PIÑERO

ROLLING THE DICE BY CAPT. NICK STANCZYK

A SPECIAL GIFT FROM CAPTAIN FRANBY CAPT. GENE CHRZANOWSKI

FishMonsterM A G A Z I N E

May/June 2016 Contents

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8WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONECAPT. JOHN SAHAGIAN

Key West Promises Big Slobs!

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8 YEAR OLD GIOVANNI (GIO) LOPES who is a 3rd grader in Mountainside, New Jersey came to Key West for a family vacation for mom and a big game fishing trip for Gio. He specifically asked to go to the Florida Keys to do some fishing and to catch “Big Slobs” -a term he heard on his favorite show Wicked Tuna. In the process he also learned how to do a “rebel yell”. Good ON YOU young Gio!

EDITOR’S NOTE

READER PHOTOS

FLORIDA KEYS FISHING REGULATIONS

ON THE COVER

IN EVERY ISSUE!

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

ALL CONTENTS COPYRIGHTED

F ishing, diving and boating in the sub-tropics is easy in May and June. Many believe these two months are the best months to be in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and Cuba when it comes to

saltwater perfection. The May/June edition of FishMonster Magazine is loaded with tournament information plus our contributors have lined up plenty of information and tips to help you enjoy the Caribbean bliss.

Diving with sharks is the focus of bubble blower and adventure seeker, Captain Eric Billips from the Islamorada Dive Center. Pay special attention to the questions he asks about the practice of feeding sharks. We’d like to get your feedback.

Captain Ross Early from the Early Bird out of Islamorada gives us a wide ranging forecast that will surely excite your saltwater soul.

Captain Beau Woods from the Double 00 out of Cudjoe Key makes complete sense with his approach to blackfin tuna and their whimsical feeding habits.

Captain Beau is a saltwater scholar that tells it like it is -- perfectly.

This month, all of our skinny water contributors have something to say about the big three -- tarpon, permit and bonefish; each adding some powerful information that will help you on your quest for these species.

All of our guides can be hired for your entertainment and education. You’ll find their contact information next to their mug shots throughout the magazine.

We’re here! We’re in it now, the best time of the year. Thanks again for all of your support!

A Treasure Chest of Information!

-Captain Marlin & Dianne Scott

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!

FishHeadof the Month

Junior Fishmonsterof the Month

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

reason why to photos@fishmonster.com.

Brent Kindell Brent Kindell holds an Atlantic

scomprods AKA “Escolar” caught with Coral Charters. With a mug

like that the Fishhead of the Month award was a NO BRAINER!

Six year old Gavin Lyons of Ramrod Key holds one of the last stone crabs from the 2015/2016 stone crab season. Grabbing a stone crab bare handed as dog Kiley looks on won Gavin the coveted Junior

FishMonster award for sure!

Gavin Lyons