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. <*(((((>{

Hello fellow anglers July in S.W. Florida and the snapper bite should be in full feeding mode. The American Red Snapper is one of the most targeted species in our area. This year we get two months to harvest two per day per angler. That can be some expensive fillets to run out to one hundred feet plus of water.  Just to harvest two of these great eating fish. When I go I try to plan on stopping at some good bottom to get some mangroves or some lane snappers too. And if I have time I like to chum up some yellow tail snapper and pick up a few of them if possible. And on some good hard bottom find a keeper gag grouper. If you do make one of these runs be prepared to troll for a fresh bonito they make great cut bait for the snapper. And they are great fun too. And if you don’t have a boat to make those long runs there should be plenty of sharks and tarpon along the beaches to find some thing to put some heavier tackle to the test.  And the goliath population keeps increasing they put up a good fight if your back is young enough to take that kind of abuse too. And this month the snook should be migrating to there final spots to spawn. They can be found from forty to fifty feed deep around structure / artificial reefs. Also they stack up along the beaches usually close to some bait balls . Inshore close to points where there is moving water and a little bit deeper cuts. Go and cast the net and get some white baits so you can chum them up and put a hook in one and catch one the big girls. Check to make sure the regulations in your area as they have been making changes all summer , if you are in an area that you can harvest one. Also if you would like to come along with me on my boat or I can go with you on yours so you could learn how to fish in S.W. Florida if you are new to the area, just give me a call or e-mail captbart@alphaomegacharters.com  or phone is much quicker 941-979-6517. If you have friends coming to visit from the north and like to fish for summer break. I also have gift certificates for birthday or whatever type of a gift. So always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{