Another great fisherman and friend is lost

[quack quack]

I grew up fishing with Larry and a nicer guy you could not know.He was one of a kind that is for sure.It seems like most of the great fisherman I have known are in heaven now. I remember helping him spool up some reels on the sealion one time.I was like 8 yrs old.As the filler spool was going around in a bucket he told me that in Austraila it would be spinning the other way.He then told me about how the water in the toilets flushs the other way down under.I did not believe him and asked every one I met about austailian toilets I would say hi I am Eric do you know about Austrailan toilets. I was 8 and there was no internet back then for you younger guys reading this.My dad was running the Viking boats back then but he mated for Larry all the time.My dad had tons of great stories about fishing with Larry.He mated for him a bunch when ever Nixon and Dick Butkus fished with them.Nixon my dad said was a great guy to fish with and Butkus was great to tease about his sea legs.The Sea Lion is the sportboat in the begining of the Walkers Cay chronicals.The late Mr Appelnap(spelling) was the owner of walkers cay and the Sea Lion.

Larry W. Thompson, Fisherman; Was 62
Larry W. Thompson held the world record, for a time, for having caught the largest bluefin tuna — 1,071 pounds. Montauk fishermen called him the Sword Lord.

As captain of the Sea Lion II, a Montauk sportfishing boat, he was featured on episodes of “ABC Sportsman” and took notable guests fishing, among them Richard Nixon, Bing Crosby, Desi Arnaz, Peter Benchley, Ted Williams, and Chuck Noll. He also had been the captain of a commercial longliner and was depicted in Linda Greenlaw’s book “The Hungry Ocean.”

Captain Thompson, whose home port for 30 years was Montauk, died of colon cancer on Jan. 8 in Tiverton, R.I., at the age of 62.

“Fishing really was his entire life. It enveloped every part of him,” said Deborah Thompson, whom he married on Dec. 6, 1980.

He spent his career as a captain, mate, and in other roles aboard sportfishing, longline, ground-fishing, and other boats from the Grand Banks off Newfoundland and the Gulf of Maine to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, he fished in the Gulf Stream from the Tortugas to Georges Bank, and he held certificates to operate 100 and 200-ton commercial fishing boats. He was a member of the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association.

Fishermen looked up to him, family members said. He was skilled and generous about sharing what he knew, and he made “the big trips,” staying out at sea for six or seven weeks at a time when he ran the Sea Lion VIII, a longliner.

He was born on Aug. 4, 1945, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., to Lester Thompson and the former Marianne Zaiser. His parents were marines, so he lived in various places, including Hawaii and California, while growing up, spending his middle school and high school years in Florida. He earned an associate of arts degree at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., and studied fine arts and business at Florida State University.

Mr. Thompson lived seasonally and full time in Montauk from 1966 to 1996. He also lived in the Bahamas from 1971 to 1975 and in Portland, Me., from 1996 to 2000, when he retired from fishing and moved to Tiverton. He had been ill for two and a half years when he died.

In addition to Ms. Thompson, who lives in Montauk, he is survived by their daughters, Bailey Thompson, 26, and Brittany Thompson, 24, both of that hamlet. A sister, Leslie Johnson of Florida, also survives, as do two friends he considered part of his extended family, Michael and Kristi Rogers of Tiverton.

The captain’s ashes will be dispersed in the ocean off Montauk in May, at which time his life will be celebrated.

[dring]

nice guy,i remember him from merritts.my brother went to the grand banks with him a couple of trips . RIP.

[Max'd Out]

May he RIP.

[Tuna Devil]

R.I.P. Larry.

It was a pleasure knowing you.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Larry was a friend and fellow fisherman. We shared many trips on the same break, mostly on the Grand Banks.

One never worried for a tow 1200nm to Mass. if Larry was in the area. There is no greater honor that can be bestowed upon a Captain, than trusting that he has your back covered.

Swordfish can sleep better now knowing that Larry will no longer be on their trail.

RIP, Old Buddy

[RiskTaker]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

... One never worried for a tow 1200nm to Mass. if Larry was in the area. There is no greater honor that can be bestowed upon a Captain, than trusting that he has your back covered. ....RIP, Old Buddy

Condolensces to those that had feelings/cared for him, and have a great Life celebration in May, even if you may be fishing for Tuna.

I hope we have and are developing more people that can fit that epitaph.

Even a Tow home from a Capt. at the Swordgrounds on the N 26 & W 79:50 would deserve honorable mention, when their departure date is scheduled.

[Disco Lady]

R. I .P Capt.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

RIP. Which character in the Hungry Ocean was patterned after him?

[Relentless33]

RIP Capt. Larry

Originally Posted by DIRTYFOOT2

RIP. Which character in the Hungry Ocean was patterned after him?

I'm pretty sure the characters are true to the people they resemble. I have only read a small amount of that book but I'm sure if he is in there his name is mentioned as Larry Thompson. I'll let you know as I continue reading.

[John_Madison CT]

Godspeed to you.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Originally Posted by Relentless33

RIP Capt. Larry




I'm pretty sure the characters are true to the people they resemble. I have only read a small amount of that book but I'm sure if he is in there his name is mentioned as Larry Thompson. I'll let you know as I continue reading.

pg. 200 L.T. " Come in Capt. Sandbagger". Classic line, great book. I read the parts I could find that referenced Larry again last night. He will be missed.........

[savanna lynn]

thanks for shareing old salt R I P larry