FISHING A FOUR-GENERATION TRADITION FOR WICKERS FAMILY
Article from the Key West Citizen Newspaper
by Kermit Pattison, 1991
When Captain Bill Wickers heads out to the blue waters of the Gulf Stream, he knows the fish will always be there for him. And for the past four generations, there has always been a Wickers for the fish. Captain Bill and his son Billy, third and fourth generation conch fishermen, carry on a tradition begun in 1938.
- 42 reviews of CharterBoats Linda D Sportfishing in Key West
As Captain Bill piloted his 40' sportfisher Linda D III past the reef into the Straits of Florida, he barely glanced at his instrument panel. Following the golden reflection of the morning sun and scanning the horizon for distant markers, it's a trip he's made thousands of times.
His son Billy scrambled on the deck below to ready lines and hooks. Reaching into a bait bucket, he withdrew a silver ballyhoo, threaded a hook through its belly and wrapped a line around its nose. It's a procedure he'll repeat dozens of times over the day as he jumps across the deck, replacing bait and handing hooked lines to charter guests. It's also one he learned from his grandfather. "It's all I ever wanted to do," he said. "Never thought about anything else and I probably never will. "Since graduating from high school, 18 year old Billy has become the youngest licensed captain in Key West. As the boat eased over the two foot seas on the Gulf Stream, Billy rolled with the familiar rhythms. Since he was a child, he's been running these waters searching for fish.
 Linda D IV Anglers 1st Place in Cuban American Heritage Festival Marlin Tournament |
"Even when I was 13 or 14 years old, I used to come out here and troll. It's something you grow up with, "he said. "I just like the challenge of coming out here and seeing what kinds of fish you can catch and how many. It's all I've ever done."
"If my father was still alive he'd be real proud," Captain Bill said. "My dad was an outstanding fisherman. I like to think he's up there watching Billy. That's why he is doing so well. He's been getting some catches that a lot of Captains have to wait a long time to get. Perhaps its because it's in his genes. Fishing has always been a family obsession."
When the first William Wickers began fishing in the Gulf Stream, Key West was a gritty, bankrupt town full of refugees, anglers and oddballs. Today, in an age of gentrification and inflation in the Southernmost City, Captain Bill said fishing is still a deal.
"Probably charter fishing is one of the few bargains left in Key West."
Captain Billy Wickers III Selection of Prestigious Fishing Tournament Awards, Trophies and Plaques
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 Namesake Linda D and Mother to Captain Billy Wickers III receiving the Outstanding Guide Award for 2005 at the Key West Fishing Tournament |
 Prestigious 2012 Best of Key West Award |
 Pictured here, with their awards from the Key West Fishing Tournament, are Capt. Billy Wickers III, "Outstanding Guide, Most Sailfish and Most Sailfish Released", and Capt. Bill Wickers Jr., "Most Marlin". |
Texaco Key West Challenge |
Jim Hardie Memorial Trophy |
2002 Key West Fishing Tournament |
As one of the top rated Key West fishing charters, Captain Billy Wickers III has accumulated a vast number of fishing tournament awards, trophies and plaques.
Texaco 2001 Key West Classic |
2007 Key West Fishing Tournament |
1997 Key West & Lower Keys Fishing Tournament |
The following is just a small sampling of the fishing tournament honors that have been bestowed upon him and Charterboats Linda D Sportfishing, when participating as a Key West tournament fishing charter boat.
1999 Key West Lower Keys Fishing Tournament |
Sloppy Joe's 6 Annual Fish Roundup |
2000 Texaco Key West Classic |
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1991 Outstanding Guide |
1996 Key West Fishing Tournament |
1989 Key West Fishing Tournament |
Sampling Of Fishing Tournament Awards2012 Best Charter Boat in Key West Gray Taxidermy 2010 Key West Fishing Tournament 2009 Key West Fishing Tournament 2008 Key West Fishing Tournament 2006 Key West Challenge 2003 Key West Fishing Tournament 2001 Texaco Key West Classic 2001 Texaco Key West Classic 2000 Texaco Key West Classic 1999 Key West and Lower Keys Fishing Tournament 1998 Key West and Lower Keys Fishing Tournament 1995 Key West and Lower Keys Fishing Tournament 1994 Sloppy Joe's Fish Roundup 1990 Key West Fishing Tournament 1989 Key West Fishing Tournament |
2008 Key West Fishing Tournament
Shell Key West Challenge 1996 Key West Fishing Tournament
2003 Key West Fishing Tournament
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