01/11/2026
The Madam & Ho**er emerged during a time when advancements in technology intersected with passion and determination, fundamentally changing the perception and reality of what was possible in the fishing world. Monofilament line had reached a point of consistent, predictable breaking strength. Companies like Shimano were revolutionizing light tackle fishing by delivering reels that could hold enough light-test line to battle a big fish and still have a smooth drag system that could easily be fine-tuned to the situation at hand. Waters that had been largely unavailable for exploration in the past were becoming increasingly accessible with developing coastal infrastructure, allowing for fuel, ice and other supplies needed for these ventures – this, quite literally, was opening up a whole new world.
Another key advancement in this evolving landscape was the art of boatbuilding. Heavy wooden boats with over-sized motors and inadequate fuel weren’t ideal for chasing records. With the development of smaller, higher horsepower, more efficient motors and fiberglass hulls the ingredients were there just waiting for someone with the vision, drive and ambition to combine them into something unprecedented.
As it turns out, a man from Texas with a passion for fishing was just the person for the job. Jerry Dunaway wanted to chase world records, but first he needed a boat and not just any boat would do. He needed a boat with the handling capabilities to keep up with record-size fish. One that had the maneuverability and agility to chase a marlin on line so light that the fish sometimes might not even know it’s hooked, and among other factors, it needed to be able to do it in reverse.
So, where do you go and who do you trust with a dream like that? As it turns out, Dunaway had a friend and cohort who knew just where to send him. At the behest of an Australian captain by the name of Peter B Wright, Jerry went to Destin, FL’s very own G&S boats. G&S was on the cutting edge of building custom, foam core boats that would be light weight and perfect for the job. (Continued in comments.)
