Sportfishing is a four generation tradition for the Wickers family of Key West.

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".

Namesake Linda D and Mother to Captain Billy Wickers III receiving the Outstanding Guide Award for 2005 at the Key West Fishing Tournament

FISHING A FOUR-GENERATION
TRADITION FOR WICKERS FAMILY

Article from the Key West Citizen Newspaper
by Kermit Pattison, 1991

Linda D IV

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 60 years ago.

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

Linda D IV Anglers 1st Place in Cuban American Heritage Festival Marlin Tournament

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.

"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."

 

For more information, please click here or contact:

Charter Boats Linda D.
LOCATION: Docks 19 & 20, Amberjack Pier,
Charterboat Row at City Marina,
(corner of US1 & Palm Ave.)
Key West, FL 33040

Click here for a map!

Mailing address: 161 Key Haven Road, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (800) 299-9798, (305) 296-9798
Cellular: (305) 745-4736   |   Fax: (305) 294-9286
E-mail: info@charterboatlindad.com

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