© Joe Dimaggio - Used with Permission.
EXHIBIT: FRANK MUNDUS COLLECTION
For over 50 years Frank Mundus chartered his boat Cricket II catching some of the largest sharks ever recorded, off Montauk, New York. His vessel often had a multi-season wait list for a chance to catch the giant sharks he'd dubbed "Monster Fish". His largest monster, a 17-foot Great White Shark weighing 3,427 pounds, in some record books still remains the largest fish ever caught by rod and reel.
Mundus moved to Montauk from New Jersey in 1951 to pursue a career catching groundfish (Striped Bass, Black Seabass, Bluefish etc). However drawn to the adventurous tales of Zane Grey and the like, he also chased tuna and billfish. At that time these species were under heavy fishing pressure and it was not in the best interest of business to charter for the “chance” to catch game fish. As the story goes, Mundus hooked a large shark and realized that they were just as exciting to chase! Beyond tuna and billfish, there were no other fish larger than a thousand pounds to take their place. It had to be shark. He was then tasked with finding a way to popularize the catching of sharks. Sharks were not considered a mainstream consumable product in the United States and therefore not financially viable. The answer had to be wrapped up in the promotion of adventure. Frank would find the biggest sharks he could and hang them at the dock. Hundreds of people would come from all around to see his catches, translating into free advertising. Thus, Monster Fishing was born.
Frank’s colorful reputation made him an instant inspiration for the infamous shark fisherman known as Quint in the film Jaws (1975). Peter Benchley, the book’s author, spent several trips aboard the Cricket II. Though he never gave Mundus credit for the character muse, elements of his fishing methods wove their way into the prose and final shooting script. The infamous yellow barrels that took the place of the shark when the “shark wasn’t working” were actually pulled directly by Spielberg from Frank’s book Sportfishing for Sharks. Frank would use these barrels to slow down the largest sharks and keep them at the surface.
In the years before his passing, Frank Mundus came to realize that sharks were disappearing from his fishing grounds, and had a change of heart. He began to advocate for catch & release tournament methods, as well as lend his experience in the early development and deployment of shark tagging technology, as well as improved fishing gear that was safer for the shark. Mundus is considered to be the first to make and deploy circle hooks (a modification of the traditional "J" hook), which will more reliably catch a shark in the corner of the mouth for safer removal.
His iconic boat, Cricket II, after a great deal of back and forth, has finally been restored and rehomed to New Bern, North Carolina. It has been reinstated by a non-profit under historical grants to be used as a rehabilitation fishing charter for US veterans.
SELECTIONS FROM THE FRANK MUNDUS COLLECTION - LIVING SHARKS MUSEUM
CIRCLE HOOKS
Having been employing them since the 1970’s, Frank Mundus proved that the circle hook was a reliable way to catch a shark that could be safely released alive without becoming gut-hooked. The hook sets in the corner of the shark’s jaw and can be easily removed onboard the vessel. Later in life, Mundus advocated for circle hooks to be used in all Shark Fishing Tournaments.
_______________________________
FISHING GEAR FROM CRICKET II
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
FIGHTING BELT
This fighting belt belonged to Frank Mundus and was used aboard his boat Cricket II. Worn like a vest, the two clips would hook into the eyelets of his big game saltwater fishing reel, a Penn “Senator” 14/0, or 16/0, working as a brace in tandem with the boat’s mounted fighting chair. Strapped in, he was ready for any monster ahead.
_______________________________
FRANK MUNDUS’ FIGHTING BELT
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
LIFEBUOY RING
This lifebuoy, or life-ring, came off of the vessel Cricket II when Frank Mundus retired. After over 50 years of sold-out shark charters, Captain Frank began to realize that there were far less sharks in the waters since he began “Monster Fishing”, and instead continued his work in conservation.
_____________________________
ORIGINAL LIFEBUOY - LIFE-SAVING RING
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
MONSTER SHIRT
Originally worn by Captain Frank Mundus himself, this actual shirt was his personal attire for photos and publicity events. This is the shirt off his back the day he retired from his vessel Cricket II. The illustration on the shirt was designed by famed Montauk comic artist Frank Borth III, who also had whimsically illustrated books by Frank Mundus.
_______________________
FRANK’S OWN SIGNED MONSTER MAN SHIRT
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
FIGHTING CHAIR
This original set of chair backs belonged to Frank Mundus’ Rockaway fighting chair aboard his vessel Cricket II. The metal back was bolted in the rear back position of the chair, while the wooden front panel was siliconed to the front for added comfort. Both panels were signed by Frank Mundus upon retirement from over 50 years of Monster Fishing.
_____________________
CRICKET II FIGHTING CHAIR AND SIGNED BACKS
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
CRICKET II SIGN
As seen in legendary photos of some of Frank Mundus’ earliest record catches, this is his personal sign that would accompany many publicity events. Most famously this sign can be seen along with the 3,000 pound Great White Shark caught on June 1, 1960 off Amagansett, depicted in Mundus’ autobiography Fifty Years A Hooker.
_____________________
CAUGHT ON CRICKET II PUBLICITY SIGN
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
CRICKET II CHARTER
Printed after the publishing of his book Sportfishing For Sharks, Captain Frank Mundus would pass out this flyer for his charter vessel Cricket II. Boasting his legendary commodity of Monster Fishing, his charter offered the opportunity to catch fish of any size right from the comfort of Montauk, equipped to carry up to 20 passengers.
____________________
ORIGINAL CRICKET II CHARTER PAMPHLET AD
Private Collection - Keith M. Cowley
MORE TO COME…