Captain Bill Poole - IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame

Описание: WILLIAM E. POOLE

No one involved in southern California sport fishing is better known than Capt. Bill Poole. In a career that spanned six decades, this pioneer, adventurer and entrepreneur owned and operated 10 sport fishing vessels, skippered tens of thousands of anglers, was among the first to explore Mexican waters, and built the world's largest long-range boats.
Bill learned how to fish at the age of six. In 1947, after his wartime Navy service, he became the youngest owner-skipper in the San Diego fleet when he and his father Herb bought the 120-foot Lazy Daze, anchored it off the coast, and shuttled anglers from the pier to the barge. Two years later they purchased the 50-foot Malida and began day trips to the Coronados Islands. By the end of his first season, Bill was carrying full loads almost every trip.
In 1951 Billl acquired the Polaris, a 62-foot Navy boat. Every day from April to September he took anglers out in search of yellowtail, sea bass, albacore and whatever else was biting, working hard to make the Polaris' passenger and catch numbers better than those of the other boats in the San Diego fleet. That same year he made his first "Wanderlust" trip to Guadalupe Island, 150 miles off Baja, traveling seven days with 13 passengers who each paid $175. Onboard conditions were primitive, with saltwater showers, limited fresh water, small fish holds, and rudimentary navigation (compass, watch, two-band radio), and the trip took place "under the radar," since Coast Guard licensing wasn't available at the time. But the fish — 60-pound yellowtail and 200-300-pound black sea bass — were plentiful.
News of Bill's ability to find these fish spread quickly, and during his 12 years at the helm of the original Polaris his well-earned reputation as a top skipper and fierce competitor was established. Two of the most notable All-Tackle world records were caught on Bill's boats. The first yellowfin tuna over 300 pounds (308) was taken by Jean Tolson aboard the Cape Polaris in 1973, and in 1977, aboard the Royal Polaris, Curt Wiesenhutter landed a 388.75-pound yellowfin, a record that stood for 33 years.
Bill Poole had the vision, knowledge, skill and marketing savvy to make long-range fishing what it is today. He expanded long-range trips to the Cedros Islands, Uncle Sam Bank, Alijos Rocks and the Revillagigedo Island chain. In the mid-1960s larger engines were approved for sportfishing boats, and Bill began commissioning finer vessels with powerful engines, plush quarters, improved bait and fuel storage, and state-of-the-art navigation electronics. He continued enlarging his boats, adding improvements and innovations that enhanced their luxury, speed, safety, comfort, and fishability. In 1964 the 65-foot Polaris II was launched, in 1967 the 80-foot Polaris III, and in 1970 the 90-foot Cape Polaris.
When Bill was ready for an even larger boat that would be better suited to long-distance travel he joined forces with boat designer Todd Chaffee to produce the 113-foot Royal Polaris, launched in 1974. The largest long-range sportfisher ever built, and the first produced by the Poole Boat Company, the Royal Polaris' all-aluminum construction caused quite a stir. To meet growing demand, the Poole Boat Company began to design and build state-of-the-art boats, all with improved functionality and creature comforts. Poole produced 27 boats in all, many still part of the San Diego fleet today.
Bill Poole was an excellent angler, a successful rancher, and a serious hunter. He owned three sportfishing landings, two marinas, and two marine fuel docks; helped found the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC); and received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Diego chapter of Safari Club International.
Always willing to share his knowledge, Bill supported programs for those new to the sport, and helped young, up-and-coming captains acquire their own boats. Following Bill Poole's 2009 memorial services, a large flotilla of boats — most built, finished or designed by Bill — headed out to San Diego Bay in his honor, led by his beloved last boat, the 124-foot Excel. And in April 2012, at Fisherman's Landing, a memorial sculpture depicting Bill on the flying bridge of the original Polaris was unveiled.
Bill Poole was a long-range fishing pioneer who laid the groundwork, set the standards, and grew San Diego's long-range industry and related businesses. He expanded the geographical borders of the fleet, built boats to reach those frontiers, skippered anglers to world record catches, and mentored many of today's top young captains. In recognition of his tremendous passion for the sport and the industry, and his beautiful boats, the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame honors Bill Poole.