Gray Taxidermy May 2013 Newsletter

Region of the Month - Florida Panhandle/Texas

The coastline of the Gulf of Mexico is this month’s Region of the Month! After pulling all of the orders from this up-and-coming, hot area, Gray Taxidermy would like to congratulate Captain Jake Brown from Freeport, Texas, Texas Saltwater Adventures as the winner for May, 2013. Once again, a big thanks goes out to HOPKINS-CARTER, Marine Supplies and Fishing Tackle, for sponsoring this event. Captain Brown is awarded (2) Battel BTL8000, Penn reels.

Thanks for being on the Gray Team Captain Brown!

Next month’s region is... Hawaii!
Good luck Captains!

From the “Emerald Coast” which starts in Florida and runs through Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, all the way to the Southeast tip of Texas, you will find beautiful shore lines displaying snow-white beaches. Most of the Panhandle's Gulf Coast shoreline is relatively unobstructed by high-rise condos and hotels and the white-powder sand is alluring. This makes it a huge attraction for visitors of all kinds that include – Hard Core Fishermen. Off-shore as well as in-shore fishing is available all along the Panhandle and through-out Texas and draws sport-fishermen from all over the world.

The Panhandle is known for its abundance of red snapper, a pinkish red prized species common in Southern kitchens and found all along the Gulf Coast. The great thing about the Gulf Coast is it’s abundance of so many different kinds of species. Whether it’s off-shore or in-shore, anglers can literally find it all: Amberjack, Gray Triggerfish, Red Drum, Tilefish, Black Sea Bass, Cobia, Tuna, Black Drum, Snook, Grouper, Tarpon, Trigger, Blue Marlin, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Sand Trout, Croaker, Whiting, Gafftop, Kingfish, Dorado, Sailfish, Wahoo as well as Bull, Sand, Hammerhead and Tiger Sharks.

There are so many excellent places to fish out of with great history; you can really find something for almost everyone. Fishing has been red hot along all of the Gulf Shores. Gray Taxidermy has been fortunate to spend a little time in these areas just recently and right now are in the process of planning the next trip back. We cannot speak highly enough about the charter fishermen in this area of the Gulf.

With the worst man-caused habitat disasters in history — the BP oil spill and the stringent regulations that have ensued since — these fishermen have had to abide by a whole new set of rules as well as the financial damage caused by substantial decreases in tourism. Strong will and tenacity seems to have gotten them through the hardest times and now they are enjoying the rewards of their determination — the charter industry in these Gulf waters is on the come back!

2013 Sailfish/Shark Season Wrap up

Special congratulations to all of the local south Florida boys. This year’s season Shark and Billfish mount numbers are up! Even more interesting is the number of release mounts – they let them go!!! Release mounts are the way to go. There are massive increases on release Sharks and Billfish. The mount experts will never forget how to commemorate a trip… even with release fishing. Check with your local rep or give us a call on our personalized Catch & Release certificates supporting YOUR charter fishing service.


These attractive Catch and Release Certificates can be personalized with Your Logo as well as a background photo that will represent your Charter business. Catch Certificates are also available.

Captain of the Month - Captain Albert Battoo

This month’s lucky draw for Captain of the Month takes us to Panama! Congratulations Albert Battoo!!! REACTOR Watch company is the proud sponsor of our monthly drawing and has graciously given Captain Albert a GRAVITON II, REACTOR watch, along with a plaque from Gray Taxidermy naming him, CAPTAIN OF THE MONTH – MAY 2013. All winners are randomly selected from the previous months turned-in orders.

The more orders turned in, the better the chances of winning! Captain Albert is currently the Fishing Director at the World Famous Tropic Star Lodge in Panama. “My love and passion for Sportfishing began in the early 70’s when my parents signed me up for the Grenada “Spice Island” International Billfish Tournament. I caught my first Sailfish that weighed in at 59 ¼ lbs on 12 lb test tackle and the trophy catch won me 1st Place in the Junior Angler Division.

As they say, the rest is history and for the next 30+ years I have been pursuing my passion for hunting Billfish and other game fish species, mostly in the Southern Caribbean in places such as Trinidad & Tobago (home), Grenada and St Lucia to name a few… It’s been a long and fulfilling journey filled with great memories and also heartbreaking stories of the big one that got away.”



“I would say that the most significant moment in my life was moving to Panama in 2008 and taking up the job as Fishing Director at Tropic Star Lodge. For years I’ve read about the World Class Marlin fishing available on the Pacific Coast of Panama, and always knew that one day the tides would take me there. Tropic Star Lodge can only be described as the “Mecca” of fishing destinations and I am indeed fortunate to be able to spend the last 5 years both guiding and fishing the famous Zane Gray Reef at Piñas Bay, home of “His Majesty the Black Marlin.” There’s nowhere else on the planet I’d rather be!

The determination of Captain of the month comes from a random drawing. Each month, every order placed with Gray Taxidermy is entered in a drawing. At the end of the month, one name is randomly pulled from all entries. Along with the new watch, the captain will also be awarded a Trophy plaque with an engraved plate from Gray Taxidermy. The more orders turned in, the better your chances.

Mate of the Month - Derek Milo

The lucky winner of Mate of the Month is Derek Milo. Derek will be receiving a pair of Costa Del Mar Blue Mirror 580 Tuna Alley sunglasses as well as a plaque from Gray Taxidermy naming him Mate of the Month - May! We asked Derek to give us his story… “A wise man once told me, you will never work a day in your life if you enjoy what you do. I’m a full believer of that.”

“I didn’t grow up fishing. Nobody in my family really fished. My first boat, a 17-foot Boston Whaler, was given to me by my dad when I was 13 years old. That was followed by a 19’ Sea Fox. I loved it! In high school, I met some friends who had bigger boats and we started running offshore to troll for the elusive Bullnose.

"After mastering trolling, we started kite fishing. My friends and I decided to enter in a few tournaments since we had been practicing our kite fishing skills. We never really did that well but the learning experience was well worth it.” “After graduating high school, I started college and fishing was put on the back burner for a while. I went to EMT school and was then accepted to the fire academy. The fire academy option was immediately dismissed after I received the news that I got my first job on a sport fishing boat. I knew after the first week working on the boat that I wanted to fish for a living.”

"Since then, I have worked for a few fantastic captains that have taught me more than I thought was possible. Most of that time was spent traveling throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean. I now currently work on the Poseidon Too, a charter boat with another great captain! I’m excited to learn more and can’t wait until I have the opportunity to run my own boat.”

The determination of Mate of the Month comes from a random drawing of all orders turned in during the previous month’s time.

Featured Fish of the Month – Cobia

The random pull of fish mounts last month turned up a Cobia. From The Cobia orders, the mate on the order selected was Nick Nagle from Ft. Lauderdale on the Miss Blue Heron.

Congratulations Nick! This lucky pull has you winning a pair of Costa, Tuna Alley, Blue Mirror sunglasses. When you are looking to purchase sunglasses guys (which we can assist you with), please don’t forget our friends at COSTA. They look out for you!

Cobia, sometimes known as Black Kingfish or Black Salmon, are pelagic and are normally solitary except for annual spawning aggregations; however, they will congregate at reefs, wrecks, harbors, buoys and other structural oasis.

They are found in warm-temperate to tropical waters of the West and East Atlantic throughout the Caribbean and in the Indo-Pacific off India, Australia and Japan. The largest taken on rod & reel was taken from Shark Bay, Australia, weighing 135 lbs. They are able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and salinity.

Cobia make seasonal migrations along the coasts in search of water in their preferred temperature range. Wintering in the Gulf of Mexico, they migrate north as far as Maryland in the Summer passing East Central Florida in March.

Cobia feed primarily on crabs, squid and other fish. They have been known to enter estuaries and mangroves in search of prey. Cobia will follow larger animals such as Sharks, Turtles and Manta Rays in hope of scavenging a meal. Cobia are intensely curious fish and show no fear of boats and are known to follow a hooked-up fish to the boat and linger to see the action. Their predators are not well documented but, the Dolphin is known to feed on immature Cobia. Mako Sharks are known to feed on adult cobia and have been seen by fishermen following cobia during their annual springtime migration in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Here we go...

It is that time of year again where the season is just beginning to ramp up. Everyone is finishing with their final repairs and boats that were dry docked are making their annual splash. Websites are updated and tackle is reviewed to make sure spools are filled with fresh line and the hooks are sharp (well, in theory we all do this).

Here come the customers!

With prices of fuel and bait as high as they are, restrictions and regulations not getting any easier, it is important that we make every trip count. How do we fishermen continue to keep a positive spin on charter fishing when many of the fish we catch, we have to throw back? How do we offer a great time on the water when the news is flooded with fish closures and strict regulations?

How do you plan on increasing your business’s revenue?

This season Gray Taxidermy once again here to offer plenty of support. Don’t forget that mounting fish is a positive alternative when the fishery is closed or limited and the fish needs to be released. Now when you throw your customer’s fish back, you can explain to them the opportunity of a trophy mount with confidence and pride. In the past, many of us charter boat captains and mates would not only make money from the trip pay and tips, but also from selling our catch. By commemorating your customer’s trip with a trophy fish from Gray Taxidermy, not only are you offering a service to your customer, but you are also increasing your income at no additional cost to you.

We have numerous stories from Gray Taxidermy captains and mates that have “made their dreams come true” by mounting fish. We’ve received stories of mates paying off their college loans and buying new trucks! Captains have purchased their first home or even bought property to build their dream ranch.

What is your goal? Or more importantly… Have you set a goal?

Once we receive your order, we pride ourselves in offering the highest quality product and customer service. At Gray Taxidermy your customer will be given the same personal attention that they received on your boat. We also strive to protect and assist our Captains and Mates in any way we can. We have so numerous programs available to help you achieve your goals. Give us a call and let us give you a one-on-one consult to help this season be the best ever.

Testimonials from Gray Taxidermy Clients, what they are saying?

Craig,

Please find attached the latest decoration I've added to the Tom Davis Bar-n-Grill that happens to be my basement! The mount is absolutely fabulous. I cannot be happier, it is beautiful! I've already shared the photo with a friend who caught a nice Sailfish last year, and he now wants a mount of it! Please pass along my thanks to the team who put this beauty together for me. Whatever is caught on next year’s trip will be hanging on the opposite wall of this one, and it will be done at Gray!!

Your support through this was great. I will recommend Gray Taxidermy to everyone! I hope to be speaking with you next year about a nice sail that I land in Ixtapa!!

Thanks again, and all the best!
Tom

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