Meet Ian Garcia... One excited next generation fisherman
Where does the next wave of professional fishermen come from? Most fishermen learned from their father, uncle or grandfather... Usually a family influence. It’s a trade that is passed down from generation to generation. It’s a fact that makes us proud to be part of this industry. We would like you to meet Ian Garcia (the picture at the top), avid fishermen since the age of 3! His excitement for fishing is contagious, kinda brings you back to first time you got to go fishing.
Ian can be found with his fishing pole (which as you can tell is bigger than him!) fishing off the dock at the marina in Cabo San Lucas. He tells us he likes to catch big fish and loves sierra ceviche. Welcome to our favorite past time Ian.
Very Superstitious...
By any chance, did you see last month’s winner from Fish of the Month? We congratulated Mate Hector Ubaldo from “Bite-Me 4” from Kona, Hawaii, for the lucky order. The picture he sent us showed him at the back of the boat eating a banana of all things.
The Captain of the boat, Captain Pat Erwin explained that they planned on being the first team to catch a Marlin using a banana lure. They refused to buy into the myth that bananas bring bad luck to fishing adventures. I didn’t believe him, although we all thought it would be pretty awesome. Well… check out the pictures...
This was the note! Hello Kim! This is Capt Pat Erwin from Kona. I told you we were going to do it!! We fought this fish for 45 minutes with only one motor. The port wheel lost its keyway and would not work - the fish weighed 559 lbs. Now, I know it was a nice catch, but with everything that went wrong with the boat… Bananas – myth or fact??? What a great story!!!
Congratulations Captain Erwin and Hector once again! If you have a great story to share, please send it in!!
Captain of the Month – Captain Mike Frenette
REACTOR Watches is once again honoring one of our Captains with a new GRAVITON II Watch. In efforts to support and honor the Captains across the globe that have teamed up with Gray, we in-turn seek out top quality businesses that believe in and stand behind the fishing industry and our Captains and Mates. The lucky order pulled from all of last month’s orders was from Venice, Louisiana. The catch was a 43.5” Redfish for a customer from Colorado, the Captain.
Captain Mike Frenette! We are privileged to have you on our team, Captain Mike! Captain Mike’s passion is being on the water pursuing any type of game fish. From Blue Marlin to any inshore species he is quite at home but he truly loves searching for giant Redfish in shallow water.
Whether he is spending the day with his clients, fishing professional Redfish tournaments such as the HT Redfish Cup, guest hosting on several television shows or spending time with his two sons, Michael and Stephen, whom both are finishing up college and also are U.S.C.G licensed captains which enables both to assist Captain Mike at their family business: “The Redfish Lodge of Louisiana.”
Captain Mike has been a guide in Louisiana for 30+ years. He has guided clients to 28 Louisiana State Records and 4 World Records. Captain Mike has written articles for many fishing publications such as Big Game Journal, Louisiana Sportsman, Saltwater Sportsman, and World Wide Angler just to name a few. Another accomplishment of Captain Mike was receiving a “Top 50 Charter Captains of the World” award from Saltwater Sportsman Magazine this year.
When talking about Gray Taxidermy, Capt. Mike’s response is, “What’s not to like? They truly create the most realistic replica mount available to any angler, giving them the satisfaction and enjoyment of viewing their special fish every day. How special is that? Well I’ll tell you, I receive as much enjoyment knowing that my client’s special moment is re-created in such-life like detail for all to enjoy.”
Species of the Month – Hogfish
This month feature fish is the Hogfish. With such distinct features, the Hogfish makes a beautiful mount! We honor a mate for this monthly program that is sponsored by Costa Del Mar. The lucky winner gets a pair of Tuna Alley, Blue Mirror sunglasses. This month it is our honor to congratulate Captain Neal Skove, as Captain Neal was covering it all!!! Neal is Captain of the boat “Kudu” out of Tin City Marina in Naples, Florida.
Some interesting info on the Hogfish
The Hogfish, is a species of Wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean, with a range from Nova Scotia, Canada to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico. This species occurs around reefs, especially preferring areas with plentiful gorgonians. The Hogfish is characterized by a large, laterally compressed body shape. It possesses a very elongated snout which it uses to search for crustaceans buried in the sediment. Interestingly, this very long “pig-like” snout and its rooting behavior give the Hogfish its name. The caudal or tail fin is somewhat lunate and the pectoral fins are along the lateral sides of the body with the paired pelvic fins directly below. A prominent black spot behind the pectoral fins differentiates males from females. The dorsal fin usually is composed of three or four long dorsal spines followed by a series of shorter dorsal spines.
Like many Wrasses, the Hogfish has the ability to change sex during different life stages. The Hogfish starts out female and then when mature, becomes male. The change usually occurs around three years of age and about 14 inches in length. Females and juveniles will usually start out as pale gray, brown, or reddish brown in color, with a paler underside and no distinct patterns. Males are distinguished by a deep, dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine, as well as by a lateral black spot behind the pectoral fins. Hogfish reach a maximum of 36” in total length and about 24 lbs and have been recorded to live up to 11 years. Spawning in South Florida occurs from November through June. Hogfish social groups are organized into harems where one male will mate and protect a group of females in his territory.
Mate of the Month – Esteban Gallo
The order pulled to win the “Fisch,” Blue Mirror, Costa DelMar sunglasses takes us all the way to Costa Rica to the boat, “Sweet Dreams.” The lucky mate that wins both the glasses and a plaque from Gray Taxidermy naming him “Mate of the Month” is Esteban Gallo.
Fishing is definitely in my blood. I was able to start fishing in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. I got to perfect my craft by being able to learn from several captains on several charter boats before moving to a private boat. During that time, we got to fish for several record sized fish, including Roosterfish. Since then, I have worked at the marina, Los Sueños and I’m currently working on the boat, “Sweet Dreams” with Captain Rudy Arguedas Soto from the fleet Costa Rica Dreams, where I got to participate in the tournament World Championship Offshore in Quepos.
Thank-you Gray Taxidermy for all you do for us out on the water.
Region of the Month – Hawaii
This month takes us to beautiful Hawaii. Looking back at the regions we cover across the globe…. How lucky are we to work and make a living for ourselves and our families in such beautiful settings. I don’t think there has ever been a region we have covered where I’m not ready to pack a bag and go explore! This is a great industry and we are so proud at Gray Taxidermy to be a part of it!
The lucky winner from Hawaii is Captain Mike Strait from Whipsaw Sportfishing in Honolulu, Hawaii! The order pulled was a 55” Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) for a customer from FLORIDA. Getting-it-done in Hawaii! Way to go Captain Mike and the team from Whipsaw! Captain Mike will be awarded 2 Okuma reels from Hopkins Carter Marine Supplies and Fishing Tackle in South Florida, check them out on-line for all your fishing needs.
Hawaii is made up of hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles. There are eight “main” islands that have their own distinct qualities. Island hopping may be the way to go with so much to see within these islands. Hawaii’s diverse natural scenery, warm tropical climate, abundance of public beaches, oceanic surroundings, and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, (wind) surfers, biologists, volcanologists and fishermen alike.
Where do we start? Hula girls, beautiful sites everywhere you look, Fire dancers, Volcanoes, winding scenic roads, breathtaking waterfalls, exquisite black sand beaches as well as the softest white sand beaches, foliage covered mountains, pineapple groves, coffee plantations, snow skiing, and… Fishing of all types and at record sizes!
Sign me up! CAN WE GO FISHING NOW???
Gray Taxidermy Hitting the Road
This journey was to go and represent at the famous Fred Hall show in Long Beach, California. What a “Mad house”! The show was on fire, THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE is the motto and boy did it ever live up to their reputation. From beautiful fish mounts created by Gray Taxidermy to Costa Sunglasses, Pelagic Gear, REACTOR Watches and Accurate Fishing Reels. There is something there for everyone, and it seemed like EVERYONE was there.
Throughout the show, past and future customers were stopping by to comment on the display and share their stories of trophy catches, and soon-to-be trophy catches. Everyone was quite impressed with the trophy mounts displayed. It certainly sparked an interest to book a charter ASAP!! GOTTA HAVE THAT MOUNT ON MY WALL!!
We would like to thank all the owners, agents, captains and mates that made it over to our booth and for their continued support of Gray Taxidermy.
Welcome to all the captains and mates that signed on during this trip to California and the Fred Hall Show. Special thanks to Paul Hebert from the popular TV show, “Wicked Tuna.” Paul has been a really cool friend to Gray Taxidermy.
