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I’m Capt. Rick Stanczyk, and I fish out of Bud n’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada just about every day. People ask me all the time what gear I run on the boat, so here it is — the rods, reels, line, hooks, and tools I actually use on charter, day in and day out. If it’s on this page, it’s because it holds up to charter work.
Rods & Reels
Penn Spinfisher VI 6500 — My everyday tarpon reel. Sealed body, strong drag, and it holds up to the abuse a charter reel takes.
Penn Spinfisher VI 7500 Combo — A great ready-to-fish tarpon combo, rod and reel matched up.
Penn Spinfisher VI 3500 Combo — Great snook, redfish, and trout combo for the backcountry.
Penn Battle 4000 Combo — My backcountry workhorse for tripletail, snook, and snapper.
Line & Leader
PowerPro 20# Braid — On my light backcountry outfits.
PowerPro 50# Braid — On the tarpon gear.
Ande 30# Monofilament — Old reliable, for when I want the stretch mono gives you.
Berkley 60# Fluorocarbon Leader — Leader material for tarpon and snook.
Hooks & Jigheads
Owner 4/0 Mutu Light Circle Hooks — Circle hooks for live bait — clean hookups in the corner of the mouth.
Owner 5/0 SSW J Hooks — J hooks for shrimp and crab work in the backcountry.
Owner 3/0 SSW Hooks — The smaller SSW for tripletail and snapper.
SeaStriker 1/4 oz Jigheads — Thin hook, for small fish on light tackle.
Bass Assassin 1/4 oz Jigheads — Strong hook, for bigger fish.
Tools on the Boat
Boomerang Snips — The best mono/braid snippers I’ve used. They live on the boat.
R&R Dehooker — Fast, clean releases without handling the fish.
Piscifun Aluminum Pliers — Aluminum pliers that don’t rust out in a season.
StowMaster Retractable Landing Net — Big enough for snook, and it stows out of the way.
Frabill Dip Net — For scooping bait out of the well.
Ready to fish?
Book your Islamorada tarpon trip with Capt. Rick Stanczyk out of Bud n’ Mary’s Marina — check availability and reserve your date online, or text 305-747-6903.
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