Captain of the Month
Captain Charlie Coleman Whidden’s Marina -
Boca Grande, Florida
Captain Carlie Coleman grew up fishing the shores of Boca Grande, Gasparilla
Island; a seven mile stretch of paradise
that is well known as the Tarpon Fishing
Capital of the world.
Captain Charlie is a fifth generation fishing guide on
both his mother’s and father’s side. His family has
been fishing the Barrier Island off of Boca Grande
Pass since the 1800’s.
Captain Charlie runs out of Whidden’s Marina.
Charlie’s great-grandfather, Sam Whidden began
guiding back in 1919 after returning from World
War 1. Sam Whidden eventually founded the
historic Whidden’s Marina in 1926. The Whidden
family still operates the marina, centrally located in
Boca Grande, Florida.
Captain Charlie Coleman is also the proud father of
5 year-old twin boys, Lucas and Jacob, and 3 year old Hudson.
Congratulations Captain Charlie!! REACTOR Watch Company
is giving this month’s winner of Captain of The Month a new
REACTOR, Neutron watch. These watches are the real deal!
We have special pricing only for Gray Taxidermy Captains
and Mates!! Check them out.
The Fishing Community lost a Rock Star……a Legend.
It is with extremely heavy hearts that we say good-bye
to a dear friend from Hawaii, Captain Randy Llanes.
Captain Randy Llanes died in a tragic spearfishing accident involving a swordfish on May 29th. Captain Randy was born and raised in Hawaii along with a huge family, many of which made their lives working the waters of Hawaii, and many that are life-long friends of Gray Taxidermy.
In honor of his memory, we have collected a small number of quotes by Captain Randy’s friends.
“To the Llanes Ohana! Heart felt tears and prayers from Maui! The fishing community and brotherhood has
lost a special and unique human being, Randy Llanes! Randy was a warrior in the tamest of ways. Every
tournament he was one guy you didn't want picking up the radio mic and calling in a hook up in typical Randy
fashion, excitement we all could feel on our boats. I do know that Randy left us doing what he loved most,
fishing, and in a place where he felt most comfortable, the sea! God bless your family and RIP Randy.”
“Captain Randy Llanes is one of the most beloved captains in Kona. Randy loved fishing, Kona, Hawaii, his friends
and family, and his wife and his kids. Rest easy, Randy. Fair winds and following seas, friend. We love you forever”!
“I got the ridiculously awesome opportunity to fish with the legend, captain Randy Llanes.
I'll always try to live up to your example, as a fisherman, a family man, and as a MAN.
You did for others when you didn't have to, and I'm better for knowing you.”
“Very sad news from Kona... my thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Llanes family.”
“HIBT was saddened to hear of the unexpected loss of Captain Randy Llanes.
Mahalo for all you did to make Kona a better fishing community.”
“Randy Llanes. You're my captain, you're my mentor, and you’re the strongest man I know.”
“Words cannot express our sorrow for the Llanes family's loss...Randy Llanes was a friend of
Melton Tackle for over 20 years...we will miss his infectious smile and his "local style" that only
Randy Llanes could deliver… tight lines my friend... Granders behind every lure for you”!!!!
“Randy Llanes is the only reason I made it past a year in Kona. He changed my life.
He will always live in my heart. There will never be a day that I don't thank him for being awesome.
And that will not change, he is a part of all of us. If you knew him, you’re lucky.
There are few that will ever walk this earth with as much heart, love and passion as my captain.”
One more thought from the Gray Taxidermy office:
“One of the highlights of my trip to Kona was seeing Randy and his infectious smile, to hear all his stories about fishing, his family, and all his cousins.... for me Randy represented the true Hawaiian Spirit.
His presence will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace my friend. ”
Ian Hall
Mate of the Month – July 2015,
Joshua Lesley - "Another Getaway"
Orange Beach, Alabama
getawaycharters.com
The winner of a pair of new Costa sunglasses is…
Joshua Lesley. We LOVE our COSTA’s!!!
Congratulations Josh, from the entire team at Gray Taxidermy!!
“I was raised with a passion for the outdoors and saltwater fishing.
I first went saltwater fishing when I was seven and I have been
hooked ever since.”
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Josh decided to
pursue a fishing career. Josh first started his career working on party and multi-passenger boats for several years out of Orange
Beach, AL. Later he joined the Getaway Charters' team with Captain Don McPherson, owner and operator, in October of 2012. “I work primarily on a 46' Hatteras, Another Getaway; a luxury, 6-pack fishing vessel which is one of two Hatteras' in the company. In our offseason we fish in Quepos, Costa Rica, with our sister company, Big Eye Charters with Captain
Franklin Araya Martinez.”
The saying is true "When you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life. My
greatest reward from the service we provide is seeing our customers enjoying themselves, creating lifelong memories and then wanting to comeback to do it again.”
Quick Pick Captain – July 2015,
Captain Jason Brewer,
Key West, Florida
Boo-Ya Charters
PELICAN has teamed up with Gray Taxidermy to bring one lucky captain each month a new
PELICAN cooler. All Elite Coolers are built tough to exacting standards and are engineered
with rugged polymer exterior walls that feature an industry leading 2” polyurethane foam
core, allowing them to preserve ice for up to 10 days. Congratulations to Captain Billy
Hunsicker of St. Augustine, Florida.
Fishing has always been a way of life for Captain Billy Hunsicker. With many of our captains
and mates, if born near a body of water, it has a way of drawing in the soul and not letting
go. Captain Billy was born and raised in St. Augustine, Florida, and has been fishing pretty
much his entire life.
“I've been running a charter boat since I got my Captain License when I was 17yrs old. We are a family business and now have three charter boats. It’s been 16 years in the making and I still love everyday out on the water.”
Tips to Successful Mounting
Your Facebook Campaign
By working together we can provide an even better Facebook experience for your existing customers as well as thousands of potential customers! We can post your fishing adventure photos, and you get the opportunity to advertise your company directly to people that love fishing and in return you will receive added exposure for your Charter business. IT’S THAT EASY!
Send us your fishing photos to photos@graytaxidermy.com and we will post them to our growing audience of 154,000+ fans, exclusively for Gray Taxidermy Captains and Mates. Make sure you let us know the Charter Business name, the Captain and mates name along with your location. Feel free to include your logo, website and phone number.
