On October 23, 2012, five men will join the IGFA Hall Of Fame and be honored alongside the 93 current members. Their contributions to game fishing have done much to advance the sport through techniques, technology, conservation and cooperation. Across their specialties, each of the 2012 nominees for the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame share a common thread: their dedication to recreational angling.

One man well-known to southland anglers is Bill Poole. Capt. Bill Poole's career as a sportfishing boat skipper spanned six decades. Over the course of his career, Poole built the world's largest long-range boats; owned three sportfishing landings, two marinas and two fuel docks; helped found the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC); and a chapter of Safari Club International. He skippered anglers to world-record tuna and was among the first to explore Mexico's fish-rich waters. Considered the "father of long-range fishing" in California, he created fishing opportunities for many thousands of anglers over the years. Poole passed away in 2009.