Hello fellow anglers July in S.W. Florida  What in the World is going on, the last week of May Fishin Franks was destroyed by fire after a truck landed on the roof. The total interior of Franks was burned out. I worked for Frank Senior back in 1989. And have been buying bait and tackle from those guys and feel like I am part of that family. Like some of the stories that have been told I myself and my Dad, Harpo bought bait and rods and reels there. And now my two sons shop there too or I should say did. With all the love that the community has poured out to the Fishin Franks team of Pirates he is hard at starting over in another location very close to the former place. Frank and Terri are strong folks and I feel they will let the community help them get restarted. It has been awesome to see the social media out reach. It was filled with lots of memories for lots of locals and visitors. I started my charter business in 2008 and Frank has been very good to me over the years. Robert introduced me to Rodney Smith that was the founder of Coastal Angler Magazine as far as I know. And I started writing for him around 2010ish. And have been through a few owner changes and growth of the magazine. In the beginning I helped distribute the magazine every month until it got into my fishing time and I cant let that happen. But Fishin Franks always has live shrimp and live freshwater baits shiners and worms etc. It has been my go to place for all my frozen bait too. From sardines and finger mullet , to silversides and several different squid baits. So keep your ears tuned into the Fishin Franks story as it starts another chapter in Franks book of life in S.W. Florida. I think it will be coming to Charlotte Harbor very soon. Frank never had sales in his store but he started the Fishin Franks Tent sale once a year. He would bring in as many reps as could be here and or the owners of the different companies. All to promote fishing in S.W. Florida and all the big stores know who and what Fishin Franks is here. All the guys and gals that work there are anglers themselves, each has there favorite way and species to target. And they get paid by the hour so they don’t feel like they have to rush to the next customer to make a commission. And Frank will step in some times and take over , or he will pass them off to someone to help finish the process. They deal with people from eight to eighty and have folks from all walks of life that visit the shop. Frank has let me do fishing seminars at boat shows and come into the shop as if  I worked there to sell one of my clients a rod and reel combo that they wanted help with. Getting the proper reel and rod with the line of preference. And with being part of the Franks fishing community I have a sponsorship through RAPALA lure company. They own Suffix fishing line, VMC hooks, and Thompson lures too. So in JULY red snapper season goes till August first for, For Hire Guides. So if you need some A.R. Snapper give me a call and lets get out there. If you would like to book a fishing tip or order a gift certificate give Capt. Bart Marx a call at 941-979-6517 or e-mail me captbart@alphaomegacharters.com  the phone is quicker if it is close to your date to fish. So always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{