We are in this Together! Partners for life!
Looking back at 2013 and the end of the first quarter of 2014, we are humbled by the true support we have from all of you.
We have come from times where there was nothing other than kill fisheries, we are now living in a time of partial or full release fishing in much of the world. No matter what the trend or the changing times, we have only grown stronger. There is no stopping this industry from growing!
In every market, there has been a truly special relationship for us at Gray Taxidermy with the people in the Charter Fishing Industry. There have been thousands of individuals we have met through this business that we are privileged to now call friends. 52 years later, we are here because of all of you and we feel the same today as we did 52 years ago….. Proud to work daily, hands-on with all of you.
The repeated “thank-you” we receive is humbling to say the least and un-necessary as we say “Thanks To You”! We are in this together and together we shall always be successful.
From our entire team here at Gray Taxidermy, you can count on us! No matter what part of the world, you can find Gray Taxidermy proudly supporting the Charter Fishing Industry. Thank-you for all you do.
Congratulations to a Gray Taxidermy Captain and Crew...
Spanish Fly Releases 300 pound plus “Albino Blue Marlin”
The day started off like so many others on a charter trip out of Los Suenos Marina in Herradura, Costa Rica. Long time clients and crew were aboard the 42’ Maverick custom sport fisherman, “Spanish Fly”, and the UNBELIVABLE happened!
Every blue water billfisherman eyes the water behind the boat for hours on end, day after day knowing he will see fish, and dreaming of seeing a really exciting and unique fish. It was on March 11, 2014 after more than 1000 days at sea on charter fishing boats, over 8000 hours of watching the water, First Mate of the Spanish Fly, Carlos Espinosa Jimenez, aka “Pollo” sees something never seen before. Pollo sounded the universal alarm: “Left long teaser”
Captain Juan Carlos makes a casual comment that this crazy fish is coming in upside down. With long time charter clients Bob and Karen Weaver in the cockpit, it was soon realized that it was a marlin, but it was pure white. An Albino Blue Marlin. Really? Suddenly the adrenalin levels of all go through the roof.
Now Corporate Captain for the Maverick fleet, Daniel “Danny” Espinosa said “There could not have been a better team in the cockpit to handle this historic catch. These people have been fishing for years, and calm and professional action by the angler (Karen Weaver) and the crew was necessary to land such a unique fish. I am certain that the marine biologists would have loved to get their hands on this fish. While the fish is lost to science, she remains in the sea where she belongs”. Thinking like the fisherman that he is, Daniel knows that she is still out there, and one can dream. After all, it is Los Suenos and Costa Rica!
Maverick Yachts of Costa Rica, Maverick Sportfishing Tours and Gray Taxidermy are presenting a complementary mount to Karen Weaver to preserve this day for her and her family. The mount will be so named the “Karen Weaver-Maverick Albino Blue Marlin”.
Captain of the Month – Greg McCauley, aka: “Thready”
Congratulations to Captain Greg McCauley from Ft.Lauderdale, Florida! He turned in the lucky order that was pulled for this month’s Captain of the Month! Captain Greg is awarded a new watch from REACTOR Watches and a plaque from Gray Taxidermy. Captain Greg was also recently married so from everyone on the Gray Team, We wish you great happiness in your new journey.
I have fished the waters off of Fort Lauderdale for over 30 years. After hanging up the coat and tie after college, fishing became my passion. While working under some of the best captains in the area, I soon joined them by getting my license in 1986. I have fished the Azores to the South Pacific, New Found land to Thailand and all in between, but Fort Lauderdale is my home.
Thanks to the wonderful staff at Gray Taxidermy! They make it possible for me to make a good living doing what I love to do. When it comes time for my days off, I enjoy freshwater fishing on Lake Okeechobee and hunting animals from alligators to zebras with my dogs Jena and Emma and my new wife Peggy.
Species of the Month – Snowy Grouper
When the Fish of the Month was pulled out of 94 species turned in last month, the lucky draw pulled up a Snowy Grouper which is a rare mount - this narrowed potential winners drastically. The order pulled was from Captain Michael Pittman from the "Bill Collector II" with Fish Venice Charters out of Louisiana. The order turned in was also a rare find; this fish caught is the new State Record. Congratulations to the angler, Justin Ward from Wisconsin for this fabulous catch and soon to be, one-of-a-kind Trophy Mount. Even more, we are happy to congratulations to Captain Michael Pittman! Way to go Captain Mike for getting your customer on that beast! Our Captains are known industry wide for their expertise and we are proud to include them in the Gray Team!
Some interesting info on the Snowy Grouper The coloration of this species varies with the size of the fish. Smaller fish are dark brown overall, punctuated with coin-size pearly white spots on the sides. A distinctive black, saddle-shaped blotch occurs on the base of the tail and extends down below the lateral line. 
Mate of the Month – Robert “Negro” Campas
Costa Del Mar is once again taking care of our Mates! The winner of Mate of the Month is Robert “Negro” Campas from Costa Rica. Costa is awarding Robert a pair of “Fisch” Blue Mirror sunglasses. Congratulations Robert! Gray Taxidermy is also awarding Robert with a plaque naming him Mate of the Month – May 2014.
Robert is originally from Columbia, but made a journey to Costa Rica looking for work. Like many, he was drawn to fishing, and once you get the bug – you’re a fisherman for life. Robert told us “The fishing in Costa Rica is World-class! I would like to thank my captain, Captain Moises, and the other mate, Gatinho. I have 14 years in Costa Rica, pura vida!! I have 6 kids and Gray has helped me very much (with alimony)”! 
Region of the Month – The Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf Coast boasts some of the whitest-sand beaches in the world with beautiful emerald green waters that stretch endlessly along the Gulf shore. Speckled along the way are everything from quaint little seaside towns to modern and lively luxury vacation destinations. From the orders pulled in this Hot-Spot last month, one was chosen.
Hopkins Carter has once again come to the front of the line in support of our Captains by awarding this month’s winner, Captain Billy Miller off of “Lucky Strike” located in Tampa/St. Pete, Florida, two Okuma Solterra SLR-15CS reels. The order turned in was a 25” Sheephead for a customer from Dallas. You Rock Captain Billy!
The Gulf of Mexico - So much of this region is family friendly as it's not overbuilt with lots of high-rise hotels and fancy night clubs, but offers peaceful and laid-back communities for a quieter family vacation where you're likely to enjoy wholesome outdoor family fun such as biking, kayaking and canoeing, and hiking on over 200 trails. The clean and uncrowded beaches sport a gentle surf, making them well suited for sand-castle building and dipping little toes into warm ocean waters.
Anyone enjoy fishing? Not only does this area have all the big game for offshore fishing (Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin, Wahoo, Barracuda) but it also has some of the best inshore fishing world-wide. Record Redfish (Red Drum,) Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, Grouper of all kinds, Sheephead, Amberjack, Speckled Sea Trout, Snappers of all varieties and record Snook. The Gulf Coast has a huge network of center console boats that know this region like “the back of their hands.” Our captains are showing over and over how their expertise is putting their customers on record breaking inshore and offshore fish on a regular basis. Way to go Gulf Coast!!
FELICIDADES - Agente: Victor Vargas
Gracias de nuevo Victor por ser el agente del mes! Siempre están felices y tienes una gran reputación con los capitanes y marineros. Agradecemos tu apoyo y somos muy afortunados de tenerte en Gray Taxidermy! Estamos muy emocionados de darte el reloj REACTOR. Gracias por ser un gran ejemplo de profesionalismo y calidad en el servicio!
FELICIDADES - Capitán: Israel de Jesús Marinero: Julio Cesar Ozuna
En esta ocasión nos acercamos al Capitán Israel de Jesús que salió seleccionado como Capitán del mes. Una de sus más grandes satisfacciones ha sido cuando en una ocasión llevo a una pareja a pescar la cual nunca habían agarrado un marlín azul y esa vez "cayo" un ejemplar de 380 lbs. aprox. Tomo al rededor de 3 1/2 hrs, lo mejor de esto es que era una señora de 60 años de edad y esa había sido la experiencia de su vida. Ahora a sus 30 años su mayor satisfacción son su hija e hijo los cuales tienen todo su cariño, sin olvidar a su esposa claro, la cual lo apoya en todo. Gracias Jesús por compartir tus experiencias.
Siendo la 3ra generación de pescadores de Mazatlán se inicio a los 8 años con su papa y desde la primera vez se apasionó por ella, pero la condición que le dio su mama fue que él tenía que estudiar para poder ir a pescar. Y así le hizo, estudio hasta terminar su carrera en psicología y ahora si su pasión lo llamo, LA PESCA. Algo que le gusta mucho de este trabajo ha sido la gente que ha conocido que han pescado con el y ahora la amistad que tiene con ellos. En su día de descanso le gusta correr y cuando puede se va a pescar para la familia, su mayor orgullo son sus hijos. Gracias Julio y felicidades.
