Like most everyone else we talked to, the holidays pulled an ambush on us. For that matter, the entire year came and then away it went. Maybe there's something to that saying; the one about, "The older you get..."

Either way, as we look back, it appears we've managed to jam about 12 pounds of s*#t into a 5 pound sack. 2006 started off, literally, on New Year's Day with a call from our friend, Frank Mundus, who broke the news he was headed back to Montauk for a repeat performance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the catch of "The Big Guy". For those who don't know, that's his nickname for the largest great white shark, and any fish for that matter, ever captured on rod & reel; a 3,427 pounder he and his crew subdued in 1986. He asked when we'd make it up for a visit, and of course, a little monster fishing. After a few seconds of deliberations, we threw out the date of August 6th. Frank said it was ours. With that, our fate was sealed to hunt the same waters 20 years later, to the day of that historic catch, with The Monster Man himself. The counting of the days had begun.

Meanwhile, here in Florida, we took advantage of some of the best fishing and environmental conditions we've seen on our coast in years. It continued through the spring. Then, with the first summer rains, came the scourge of red tide, which unfortunately shut us down for a good long while. However, we stayed occupied with running the family business and hurricane fortifications on our properties before heading north to visit with Frank. While there, we also had a family reunion at our cottage in Pennsylvania and made a trip to the world champion Steeler's training camp to visit with friends: Bill Cowher and Chet Fuhrman.

There's still about 7 pounds left in that sack we talked about, but let's get back to the report. Before the year fell off the calendar, we all felt there was one more rabbit left in the hat. In the weeks leading up to New Year's weekend, the weather here was more like one of those other months that starts with a J. Since we'd been catching everything from tarpon to largemouth bass in the backyard, Brooks and I decided that little voice in the back of our heads was the beach calling us back. So we busted out the gear and loaded up. And on the way to the hunting grounds, we both started feeling lucky.

Upon arrival, conditions had us licking our chops. Birds were everywhere and working, too. What appeared to be bonito or mackerel were busting just beyond the first bar and further out, but still within a half mile of the beach. Threadfin herring represented the lower links of the food chain in great numbers up and down the wade gut and well within cast net range.

The water temps were on the cool side in the mid 60's, which kept the bathers high and dry so we decided to drop our first three baits at around 3:30. Shortly thereafter, a school of crevalle jacks covering about a quarter acre blasted on the scene out of nowhere. Jim and I rushed to the tide line and simultaneously threw into them as the made their drive by. While the frenzied school shredded everything in sight, we both hooked up the moment our artificial's broke the surface. I got a little pushy with mine and lost it after a brief tog-of-war. However, Jim showed patience (it must come with age) and enjoyed a lengthy battle on 10 pound test. After a long walk up and down the beach, he brought it close. I tailed the fish, bringing the curtain down for this scrappy jack. We took some pics before putting it on ice to be recycled later on for shark bait. Although, we came prepared with a variety of frozen bait consisting of a tasty mix of spanish mackerel, kingfish, jacks and mullet we'd caught earlier in the year, the fresh meat would see some action on this day.

When someone asks, "What's the best time to go fishing?" We say, "Anytime you can." This was our first land-based shark fishing expedition in nearly 8 months. Since it had been so long, and the decision to go was last-minute, it was made all the sweeter. Of course, a successful catch and release of a healthy fish didn't hurt. Although, it wasn't a "monster" we treat each one as if it is. That way, anytime Herman shows up, we're good and ready. By the way, and for the record, we asked Frank what he considers to be a monster shark, to which he replied, "Any fish over 500 pounds." So take our trophy from this trip and times it by 5. You get the idea.

We hope you all had a great year and thank you for helping us have the one we did. May you have all the best of everything in 2007. As always, be sure and stay tuned. We've got some big surprises coming to the surface this year. It's going to be a fun ride and you're all invited.