Catch, Release and Mount… Oh yeah!
As we come to the tail end of another great Sailfish and Shark season here in Florida as well as the end of a season in both Cancun and Costa Rica’s Billfish season, one thing rings clear... Catch, Release and Mount… Oh Yeah!
The fishing has been epic. The numbers are vast from all of you and the fact that they are all being released makes us all realize that the future is bright for all of us as well as the fish too! The Shark season has been awesome and the customers are letting them go, while still eager to get that trophy on the wall.
The customers are now bragging about the experiences of releasing their trophy catch from giant Hammerheads to small Blacktips. In Costa Rica and Panama, all Billfish are released. We love seeing the pictures of trophy flags flying and customers with their Release Certificate. We are all enjoying and benefiting by these healthy fisheries. So keep up the good work and Let em Go!!
Captain of the Month – Casey Hunt - Hillsboro Inlet, Florida
REACTOR Watch is the proud sponsor of Gray Taxidermy’s, Captain of the Month program. Each Month REACTOR awards one of their coveted watches. This month, the lucky Captain will receive a CRITICAL MASS watch along with a plaque naming him CAPTAIN OF THE MONTH, and the lucky winner... Captain Casey Hunt.
Congratulations Captain Casey! Captain Casey is a third generation charter boat captain from Hillsboro Inlet. “My Family has had a family fishing business here for over 50 years. I have passed our family charter business Rebound Sport fishing, down to my youngest brother Stan.” “I now run a 66' Spencer called Flight Plan and I'm living The Dream.
My passion in my off time is hunting with my daughter Katie. I have been truly blessed to be part of the Gray family for the past 20 years, making many dreams come true. Thank-you for all the help, support, and many memories I got to share with all my clients.”
Species of the Month – Dolphin
Another successful month with big numbers of fish species turned in! The winning fish species is the Dolphin. The lucky catch came from Florida waters and the customer was from Tennessee, the boat “Miss Blue Heron” is run by Captain Richie and the mate that wins new Costa sunglasses is... Brad Bernius.
Congratulations Brad for winning a pair of Tuna Alley Sunglass from Costa Del Mar.
Some interesting info on the Dolphin
The dolphin fish has bright green, turquoise and yellow patterns, which fade almost immediately upon death. The common English name of dolphin causes much confusion. This fish is not related to the marine mammals also known as Dolphins. Additionally, these fish are known under different names depending on where they are caught. The most common names are Dolphin, Mahi-Mahi or Dorado.
Mahi-mahi can live up to 5 years (although they seldom exceed four). Catches average 15 to 29 lbs, they seldom exceed 33 lbs and Mahi-Mahi over 40 lbs are exceptional. Mahi-Mahi are among the fastest growing fish. They spawn in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, and their young are commonly found in seaweed. Mahi-mahi are carnivorous, feeding on flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel, and other forage fish. They have also been known to eat zooplankton and crustaceans. Mahi-Mahi have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending nearly the entire length of their bodies. Their caudal fins and anal fins are sharply concave.
They are distinguished by dazzling colors: golden on the sides, and bright blues and greens on the sides and back which make them a favorite trophy mount amongst fishermen. Mature males have prominent protruding foreheads. Females have rounded heads and are also usually smaller than males. Mahi-Mahi are a customer favorite trophy mount in all sizes because of their vibrant coloration. Don’t forget they are easily paired with flying fish to present a beautiful scene for your customers wall.
Mate of the Month – Jason Daniovich
The lucky order pulled for Mate of the Month was a Gag Grouper out of St. Augustine, Florida, the customer is from Winter Haven, Florida, the mate on the boat…
Jason Daniovich. Jason wins a pair of “Fisch” Blue Mirror Costa sunglasses and a plaque from Gray Taxidermy naming him Mate of the Month! Congratulations, Jason. Jason is a 32-year old native of St. Augustine, Florida and a life-long fisherman. Jason’s excitement and love of his job is truly contagious. Not many people get to do what they love and make a living at it!
For the last couple of years, Jason has been with Endless Summer Charters out of St. Augustine’s Conch House Marina.
Region of the Month – Cozumel
This Month’s Hot Spot takes us back to Cozumel, Mexico. The lucky order pulled from this region was for a Blue Marlin for a customer from Colorado. The Captain from this order….. Captain Felipe Chacon. For this prestigious honor, Captain Chacon is going to receive 2 Okuma Solterra SLR-15CS reels, awarded from Hopkins Carter Marine Supply and Fishing Tackle out of South Florida. Great job Captain Chacon!
Captain Felipe Chacon was born in Motul in Yucatan. His family moved to Cozumel when he was 9 years old. Captain Chacon has been dedicated to deep-sea charter fishing for over 15 years and is Captain of the offshore charter boat Hunter, where he has been the Captain for more than 5 years. Congratulations Captain Chacon.
Cozumel - known as the Island of the Swallows, is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The island is about 30 miles long and 9.9 miles wide. It is Mexico's largest Caribbean island, and Mexico's third-largest island following Tiburón Island and Isla Ángel de la Guarda. Tourism, diving and charter fishing comprise the majority of the island’s economy.
On a deep sea sportfishing trip, you're most likely to bring in Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack and Barracuda. Bottom fishing is normally done by drifting offshore and dropping lines straight down and deep, often hooking Red Snapper, Triggerfish or Reef Fish. Cozumel fly fishing is world famous, and attracts many Bonefishing enthusiasts. Tranquil settings, glorious fishing and beautiful sunshine make Cozumel a top-list destination.
Favorite Recipes: Macdamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi
Ingredients:
5 ounces (about 1 ¼ cups) coarsely ground, roasted macadamia nuts ½ cup panko 2 Tbl spoon all-purpose flour ¼ cup butter, melted Vegetable oil, for brushing foil 4 (6-8 ounce) Mahi-Mahi fillets Kosher salt and pepper 2 Tbl spoon coconut milk.
Directions:
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together the nuts, panko, flour, and butter.
Set aside.
- Place a piece of aluminum foil on a baking sheet and brush it liberally with vegetable oil.
- Place the Mahi-Mahi on the foil and sprinkle each fillet with salt and pepper on both sides. Bake for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush each fillet with the coconut milk.
- Divide the nut mixture among the tops of the 4 fillets, patting the mixture to spread and adhere to the fillets.
- Return to the oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to stand 10 minutes before serving. ENJOY!
