Fisherman's Hall of Fame

[quack quack]

For me it has been a rough year for some of the best fisherman and people I have known.I am posting this now because I just got word of yet another great fisherman has passed away.My sister called to tell me her and my brother's good friend Capt Billy Carr passed away on Mon.He is survived by his wife three young children.He was only 47yrs old and was a friend to all that knew him.He was electrocuted while working on his boat in Pt Judith RI.To top it off he was found by his 10yr old son.

Any one that has been following my post's for any time know that I lost my father in Sep after a 3 month battle with cancer.The wild thing is he was only one of many great fisherman that passed away this last year.

1.Capt Charles Willer. My Father and one of the best and most respected Capt's ever both commercial and sport fishing.

2.Capt Joe (green) Alexander. My fathers best friend and world famous guide out of Key West.

3.Stewart Lester. My uncle and one of the last baymen from Long Island.From a line of fisherman going back 300yrs.

4.Capt Paul De wolf. From the boat Grand Cru.I fished with him for a couple of years in NY and FL.

5.Capt Billy Carr.Good friend to all and great tuna fisherman.

6.Fritz Wildman.The best mate to ever work the pit.


With the exception of Billy who I did not personally know.All these men helped make me the person and fisherman I am today.My father most of all and Joe who taught me so much and until recently did not know he had taught me how to sell.While visiting him in the Hospital last year I realized he was the one that taught me about dealing with people.

This is my list from this year :cry:

I know we all have had those special people in our lives that taught us how to fish and helped us become better people.

I know this is not fun for many people but feel free to put your person into The Fisherman's Hall of Fame.Tell a little about the person if you can.

Don't leave me hanging you all know the person from your past I am talking about.They do not need to be gone to put them up here.


PS Mike can you make this a sticky?

[quack quack]

Mike thank you for the sticky Ok now for some other people to post up please do not leave me hanging guys.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Great Thread QQ.

I would like to honor two Captains that have passed on, they taught me a great deal about fishing and to trust my own instincts even when it was not always the opinion they shared.

Captain Stan Hunt and Captain Danny Beare

I also want to mention a person who with the exception of my Father has been the largest influence in my life. Captain Joe Mott, who is still with us but battling with a terminal illness. A more knowledgeable Fisherman or Hunter does not exist. Always at the head of the class whether Sport or Commercial Fishing. A man of few words (unless you were on deck with him), but a man who spoke loudly with his actions.

It grieves me that his retirement has not been more peaceful.

[Sword Donkey]

Quack, Good thread.

Sorry to hear of any loss. But it's good to hear that those lost have taught you (us ) some much.

My mentors are Bill Curdis ( veteran flats guide, who invented the poling platform ) and Skip Kyser( longtime S. Florida sailfisherman whos retired from fishing)

Bill taught me how to cast, tie flies, hook fish, ect... And Skip Kyser laid all of Flamingo's and Fl. Bays top fishing spots out on a silver platter for me and my friends. I'm forever in debt to these guys.

Honorable mention goes to Ray Rosher for teaching me how to fish for the Sword Donkey.

Capt. T

[Tuna Devil]

I have avoided the thread because I am not good with death.

I will start with two, one passed and one living. As time goes on i will add one or two more.

Capt. Fred Muhs owner of the Geraldine. Capt. Fred was one of the best Giant fisherman around, he had a knack for getting the bite when no one else could put it together. He was liked by all that he did not make look bad or truly knew him. Capt. fred tought me things about giant fishing that only doing it your whole life could teach you. I am truly greatful for being able to fish with one of the best while he was with us.


Capt. Archie Jost Former owner Of the F/V Midnight Sun and owner of a number of boats all named the Sea Hunter. I do not know exactly what to say about Archie but the time I put in fishing with him was probably the most productive in my fishing career. I had some of the best times fishing and living with him. He always has a kind word and was always willing to help the less talented. He helped me learn it was not all about the fish (only 99%).it was also about the expierience. I can say I never had a bad time with him even if it was day 5 on the grounds and we had not had our bite yet (we did not go home from giant fishing without a fish unless we were sinking, out of food or blown in, and even then we rarely left without one). He is a sharp as a tack in all facets of fishing and i am greatful he saw potential in me and thought I was wearthy student.

[quack quack]

thanks Dave

[catching]

I would like to start out by thanking my late father for showing me the basics of fresh water fishing and getting me hooked on this great pastime at a young age, my brother for buying an ocean boat and getting me hooked on saltwater fishing, Mike for creating this site and lastly the great group of fisherman that post their vast knowledge of fishing so the rest of us can learn what to do, and what not to do when fishing. I do not think I need to name them all since there are so many, and I am sure those people already know who they are.

[Flatsfish B]

This has been hard to want to type but here goes....

I would like to thank one person. Sally Cohen who was the best grand mother a grand kid could ever ask for. My first days fishing believe it or nor were her taking me to lake worth peir. She would take me often and we wouldn't catch much but snapper and bait but seeing all the others catch snook, flounder etc got me hooked. I was young then around 8-10. When i turned 14 she bought me and my brother a J16 carolina skiff with her bingo money she had just won. Fast foward to last year in april when I was buying a boat. I was looking to spend 10k to buy anything to just get on the water. When grandpa heard about this he said "ill match what you spend because I know your grandma would have done it for sure" I miss her dearly and she was taken to a better place a few years back. I just wish I could have spend a few years with her as a grown up and not a little kid. (She also taught me how to cook, and raised me for a few years when my parents were getting a divorce. The good in me is because of her)

:cry:

[edward34]

I have similar story of my wonderful grandma who tought me how to fish . she unfortunatly passed shortlt after i became an adult with my mother going fairly soon after taking away my childrens expierance with grandma. 1 I SURLEY CANT REPLACE ME SELF

[e-money]

I have at least 3 folks to thank for helping me as a lad. (Mom, "Grandpa Sullivan" & "Papa" Joe)

My late grandfather (Jack Sullivan) did me a solid as a young lad.
Mom & Dad split up & my sister and I went thru pretty hard times as kids.
"Grandpa" Sullivan took me to "Alley Pond Park" in Queens NY when I was about 4 years old.
A little bread & some small hooks & a bobber & we were off. We caught sunfish, and a small bass & I was HOOKED.

A little later, my Mom got into fishing, and we would spend summers on LI Sound chasing fluke, weakfish, blues & blackfish. We also used to go out to Smith's Point for Blue-Claw crabs & surf fishing.
Mom would get up at 5:00 AM to drop me off at the drift boat in Pt Jeff so I could get out & fish for the 1/2 day. (God rest her soul)

Hooked back up w my Dad when I was 15 & moved to Fla. My stepmom's dad "Papa Joe", took an interest in me & taught me about hunting & fishing. He brought me to Grand Cay in the mid 80's & taught me how to free-dive & spear fish. Most thanksful to have people who cared enough to try to help me out.

Very sad & sorry to see them go.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

First thanks go to capt Ron, my dad who not only would take me fishing with him, but would get up super early a couple days a week in the summer to drop me and my buddy off at the ramp and let us take the boat for the day. ( After I completed my safe boating course USCG ). All the hours we spent together diving and fishing taught me alot more about myself than any other experiences I had as a kid. Second I'd nominate Capt Jim Barton ( country club ). Jimmy has taken the time over the years to show me the subtlties he's picked up in 30 years at the helm. He's a kind and generous guy quick to tell a joke and an absolute blast to fish with. Luckily I still have both these guys around, thanks quack for reminding all of us of the people that have inspired our passion and love of the sport.
BUTCH

[Disco Lady]

Cheers! QQ. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD SOME GREATS, IN MY LIFE.
CAPT.BUDDY O.E CAREY PIER 5 SEA-BOOTS
CAPT.BILL STAROS CHUB CAY BOAT-BELAMA 43 MERRIT
CAPT.DAVE WOLF PIER 5 LITTLE STAR III
CHEERS! TO ALL THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

[quack quack]

Well I have to add another name to the list today of great fisherman that have passed.My Dad's longtime friend and mate Fritz Wildman passed away yesterday.He was one of the best fisherman to ever work the cockpit.He taught me a lot about working the pit.He was with my Dad for over 20yrs on a half dozen boats.I was always a little jelous of Fritz because he got to fish with my Dad more then me.But this time it's ok because now he and my Dad are fishing with some other good friends in heaven.Dollar first fish dollar biggest.
A good friend takes a long time to grow.

God speed Fritz and give Dad a hug from me.

[Sopla2o]

You know QQ, after reading some of these post I must add my .02 cents of what I consider one of the best fisherman of my life time.... Yes you can all imagine it was my Dad. As an original fisherman from Cuba he would have to fish on a yo-yo for ALL his fish. That man could chum up a line of yellow tail snapper that would last all night. There was no fish to big or to fast that he could not handle on a hand line.

There was no other person that could fish like that man. Seeing him catch so much fish was an awesome sight for a little kid. It is incredible how no matter how the current was flowing, how dark it was at night... (Dad never believed in having lights in the water.... He would laugh at me when I showed him the sword lights under the boat)... he could find and land fish.... Oh yea, he could have 200 feet of 15 pound test line all over his feet and never get it tangled.

There will never another fisherman as him.... I know that he is in a better place fishing right now... His ashes were released in the Gulf stream so he can travel around the world with the currents.

It has been 15 months since Dad cast his last line out.... and he is missed incredibly......

Thanks Guy's this section has allowed me to express the way I feel towards the best fisherman I have ever known....

Fish On..........