Frank is coming back to Montauk this year, July and August, for day trips. Same deal as last year, $1800 for a five man charter. Alot of money for a shark trip but may be worth it just to hear his stories. Is anyone planning on fishing with him?
You can also read about all of his stories in his book "Monster Man" I don't know Frank, other than bumping in to him at Star Island, but the book doesn't portray him as a freindly type. Pretty decent read. The story of the Pelican dissater in Montauk is also interesting.
I was in Montauk this year fishing with my buddy. He has been a local there for 20+ years. He told me Frank Mundus has been very upset with the lack of bites in this day and age. From what i heard he got skunked on 8 out of 9 trips. What a waste of 1800 bucks if you ask me. Read his book...its alot cheaper.
So I'm on a flight from Newark to Houston and right before they close the doors my phone rings. I cant understand the guy talking to me about booking a trip so i ask again ...who is this? But in all i could hear was
"Frank Mundus, The Monster Man" I was like really, get out of here, what the hell is this guy calling me for? Then i remembered we tried to book a trip with him last summer, thank god we didnt becuase he got skunked. he had my number written down and was trying to book trips at $1,800. But i thought it was cool to speak to him for a minute before i had to hang up. Put his number in speed dial of course ha ha
No Bait...No Sharks. Damn Draggers! They sucked the life out of Montauk. Me personally, I buy capt some backwoods and a coffee and I fish for free. He keeps whatever we catch of course...but for 1800 bucks....I rather fish in my 80 gal fish tank.
With the price of gas, running a large sportfisherman all day, and overhead. Maybe running 50 miles each way. That's not too expensive and far from the going rate. And flying all the way from Hawaii. You of all people should know that fishing is not a guarantee. As long as he tried hard and taught catching is secondary.
$1800 is pretty high. Doesnt he have a slow old boat? Its not like hes running a modern 50'-70' sport fishing boat. I think if you were looking for a shark charter you could get the same thing for much cheaper, unless you want to be able to say you went fishing with Mundus. Im sure he has some good stories to tell.
There is in incredibly good shark fisherman just a short ride away in Point Judith, RI...Capt Bill Brown (Billfish Charters) has been getting it done no matter what...this year, last year, every year...as seen on NE Angling, this guy really is that good...he has caught more threshers and makos than anyone else alive...no mystique, just a plain old down to earth fisherman who knows sharks...try and catch his seminar some time...I think he is speaking at the Hunting and Fishing Expo up at Hartford (Feb 16-19)...
OK, this is a shameless plug for someone who I really respect as a fisherman...
Capt Andy LoCascio Northeast Angling TV - www.neangling.com Long Island Fishing Charters - www.lifishcharters.com
I think it is safe to say that without question he is a legend in the sharking biz and the stories are amazing if you read the book........However with what things are and how things have changed these days.....it might be analagous to paying to have sex with marilyn chambers. Might have been better 30 years ago.
Slick56 said his buddy told him that Mr. Mundus was wondering what happened to all the sharks. "The Greatest Shark Hunter of All Time" got skunked on 8 out of 9 trips last year. What happened? I think Mr. Mundus is finding out that the local shark populations are not what they once were 20 & 30 years ago. Maybe we should be asking him what happened to all the sharks. Seems like today we have plenty of guys that are accomplished shark hunters which is great. Surely it is a much more difficult task than it was 30 years ago. In my opinion what we need more of these days are sharp shark hunters that practice catch and release. If not, Frank Mundus won't be the only guy asking, "where did all the sharks go."