Bill Poole, a legendary captain and leading pioneer of sportfishing in and beyond San Diego, died after a struggle with lung cancer. He was 87.

Poole, who started with a barge he purchased after World War II, became a boatbuilder who constructed or had a hand in the construction of many top vessels still operating.

They include the Royal Polaris, Royal Star, American Angler and Spirit of Adventure. Many of them are long-range vessels that help make up the world's most sophisticated sportfishing fleet.

Click here to read his obituary in the Los Angeles Times.