Frank LoPreste

Frank LoPreste, A life spent greatly at sea.

If California ever chose its most legendary sea captain, Frank LoPreste would surely be on the list.

His life at sea began in 1951 as an eight-year-old deckhand on the Clemente, San Mateo, Frontier, then Sea Raider, starting at $3 a day. By 21, he was a licensed captain, running his own vessel.

Today, LoPreste is widely regarded as a pioneering figure within San Diego’s long-range sportfishing fleet. He was among the first sportfishing captains there to voyage to remote areas in search of trophy game fish. He popularized Clipperton Atoll in the eastern Pacific, 1,600 miles southwest of San Diego, and further expanded the San Diego fleet’s range beyond Mexican coastal waters to the Baja & Revillagigedo Islands. For his exploits and long-range sportfishing adventures, Frank LoPreste is described by the International Game Fish Association as a “Living Legend.” 

On Royal Polaris, LoPreste innovated kite fishing, a technique where a kite is used to carry baits far from a boat, keeping them in the water at the surface. LoPreste recognized its effectiveness in targeting species like sailfish, tuna, and kingfish and presenting live bait and lures in a way that imitates a skipping baitfish or avoids the boat's wake. Once the bait is bitten, the line releases from a clip on the kite, allowing the angler to reel the fish in more reliably and safely than other methods. With his novel approach, sportfishermen were more successful in landing big fish and better enjoying their trips. 

Now 80 years of age, LoPreste has been cutting back, though he is remembered as having been tireless in serving his guests, working late hours, mentoring crew, treating guests and crew alike with respect and compassion, and always willing to help bait a hook and teach others what he knows about fishing. His concern for the guest experience is noted on social media by many past customers. “RubberHook2” commented on SatFish that at 14 years old, he was called to the bridge by LoPreste to take the helm and experience steering Royal Polaris in large S curves across the swelling Pacific, a childhood memory he has cherished into adulthood.

His expertise as a blue-water navigator, sea captain and sportsfisherman is unexcelled. LoPreste introduced advanced fuel, refrigeration, and bait-storage systems, making multi-week voyages possible. More than any other captain, Frank LoPreste molded today’s great San Diego sportfishing fleet and pioneered long-range sportfishing expeditions to far-flung and remote islands across the Pacific Ocean. Many of San Diego’s sportfishing captains were mentored by LoPreste and owe their lives, skills and success to his guiding hand.

When fellow Captain 39-year-old James “Rollo” Heyn - who began as a deckhand for LoPreste - lost his life at sea in 1999, LoPreste - joined by friends and anglers - established the non-profit organization Friends of Rollo (also known as Captain Rollo's Kids at Sea). Its purpose is to keep Captain Heyn's legacy alive by providing ocean fishing and marine life awareness trips for disadvantaged, underserved, physically challenged, and at-risk youth who otherwise might not  have that opportunity.

Through Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea, LoPreste and his friends sought to share their love of fishing and the marine environment, which was a passion of Captain Heyn's, with as many children as possible. The organization covers all costs, including the boat charter, fishing tackle, and lunch, to ensure the experience is accessible to all participants. Since its inception, the program has introduced over 150,000 children to ocean fishing and conservation.

Over his lifetime, Frank LoPreste has captained and owned several vessels including Sport (‘65-66), Sea Horse (‘67), Fury (‘67), Patrician (‘68-70), Webfoot (‘71), Prowler (‘71), Searcher 1 (‘71-74), Nova (‘75-76), Cape Polaris (‘74-77) and Royal Polaris (‘78 to today).

However, it was on the 109’ Royal Polaris that his fame as a long-range skipper was founded. He made her the fastest long-range sportfisher in the world, equipping Royal Polaris with the latest navigational and fish-finding gear. Her range is virtually unlimited due to her enormous fuel, bait, and refrigerated fish storage capacities. And, she has coursed the wide Pacific in search of innumerable exotic sportfishing adventures, ones that remain available to anyone. What he accomplished while innovating American sportfishing has led to Frank LoPreste’s Royal Polaris to be acclaimed near and far as the world’s finest sportfishing vessel.

Royal Polaris is a great boat, but it is Frank LoPreste who made her and himself legendary. From boyhood deckhand to blue-water skipper, Frank LoPreste has led a life of adventure and innovation on the high seas in service to those involved in the sport of ocean game fishing.

Frank LoPreste on Casting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJHhs3xUms8

Frank LoPreste on Bite Zone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9L_XJKo0V4

Friedman on Frank LoPreste - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kohv325Q1AA