Great loss - Vito Busalacchi - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

lamb · 12-26-2018, 02:20 PM

With a heavy heart, wanted to let everyone know -
kayak community has lost one of the pioneers, and one of the nicest guys I ever had a pleasure knowing.

Vito Buaslacchi passed away on Sunday 12/23/2018.

I'm sure all the old guard knows Vito. He was in his 9th decade of life, and till the last day, he's been fishing off of his kayak. The last couple of years, he stopped hitting La Jolla, as he couldn't deal with the surf. But at least twice a week, he was launching from Mission Bay, paddling out the MB jetties and fishing PL/MB/PB.

Vito was a hard core fisherman, and truly wonderful human being.

He'll be burred at sea at a private family ceremony.

Condolences to Donna, and the rest of Busalacchi family.

RIP Vito!

T-Rex · 12-26-2018, 03:04 PM

Very sad news. Vito was a true gentleman. Now I know why I hadn’t seen him fishing La Jolla for a while. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

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Iceman · 12-26-2018, 03:30 PM

This tugs so hard at my heart. Vito has always been my hero. He was as hard core as they get and always fun to be around. He will always be an inspiration. God Bless you Vito and safe travels my friend.

kirkdavis · 12-26-2018, 04:14 PM

I had no idea of his name, and I certainly thought he was decades younger than what you are reporting. I met that very nice gentleman probably half a dozen times outside Mission bay in the last year or so. We always chatted for a few minutes (about fishing of course), then each went our own way. Seems like he wasn't too concerned about whether he caught fish that day...he just loved being out there like the rest of us. He put a lot of miles on that yak. I am always outside the bay by daylight, and I believe he always beat me out, and he would go down as far as the green towers on Point Loma.
I last saw him just a month or so ago, and am saddened by the fact I won't be seeing him again.
May he rest in peace.
It gives us hope that we can pursue our dreams to a ripe old age!

steveooo · 12-26-2018, 04:42 PM

Oh man, this is rough news. Vito was a regular encounter on trips to La Jolla, always fun to chat with, a very fishy guys, and super helpful when I was just a newb. We should all be so lucky as to enjoy this sport as late into life as Vito did.

God Speed Brother.

kurt · 12-26-2018, 06:30 PM

A true gentleman, kind soul, and all around class act. I feel lucky to have known him, and he'll be missed. Rest in peace, Vito.

Jimm H · 01-18-2019, 10:50 AM

Ran into Vito and fished with him a number of times over the years. Phreshwon is correct in his taste for Spanish Macs. He would always ask for my left over bait because his wife had a recipe he absolutely preferred over any other fish!
God Bless, Vito.

rvonkaenel · 06-11-2019, 08:01 AM

Thanks for the heart felt post. Gives a 76 year young hope!

12-26-2018, 02:20 PM	#1
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Great loss - Vito Busalacchi With a heavy heart, wanted to let everyone know - kayak community has lost one of the pioneers, and one of the nicest guys I ever had a pleasure knowing. Vito Buaslacchi passed away on Sunday 12/23/2018. I'm sure all the old guard knows Vito. He was in his 9th decade of life, and till the last day, he's been fishing off of his kayak. The last couple of years, he stopped hitting La Jolla, as he couldn't deal with the surf. But at least twice a week, he was launching from Mission Bay, paddling out the MB jetties and fishing PL/MB/PB. Vito was a hard core fisherman, and truly wonderful human being. He'll be burred at sea at a private family ceremony. Condolences to Donna, and the rest of Busalacchi family. RIP Vito! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

12-26-2018, 03:04 PM	#2
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Very sad news. Vito was a true gentleman. Now I know why I hadn’t seen him fishing La Jolla for a while. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

12-26-2018, 03:30 PM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	This tugs so hard at my heart. Vito has always been my hero. He was as hard core as they get and always fun to be around. He will always be an inspiration. God Bless you Vito and safe travels my friend. __________________

12-26-2018, 04:14 PM	#4
kirkdavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SD County Posts: 360	Sad news indeed I had no idea of his name, and I certainly thought he was decades younger than what you are reporting. I met that very nice gentleman probably half a dozen times outside Mission bay in the last year or so. We always chatted for a few minutes (about fishing of course), then each went our own way. Seems like he wasn't too concerned about whether he caught fish that day...he just loved being out there like the rest of us. He put a lot of miles on that yak. I am always outside the bay by daylight, and I believe he always beat me out, and he would go down as far as the green towers on Point Loma. I last saw him just a month or so ago, and am saddened by the fact I won't be seeing him again. May he rest in peace. It gives us hope that we can pursue our dreams to a ripe old age! Last edited by kirkdavis; 12-26-2018 at 04:32 PM. Reason: Added thought

12-26-2018, 06:30 PM	#6
kurt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: 2 inches above sea level Posts: 503	A true gentleman, kind soul, and all around class act. I feel lucky to have known him, and he'll be missed. Rest in peace, Vito. __________________ "All I got was a rock"

12-26-2018, 04:42 PM	#5
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Oh man, this is rough news. Vito was a regular encounter on trips to La Jolla, always fun to chat with, a very fishy guys, and super helpful when I was just a newb. We should all be so lucky as to enjoy this sport as late into life as Vito did. God Speed Brother.

01-18-2019, 10:50 AM	#7
Jimm H Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Bernardo-San Diego Posts: 117	Truely one of a kind Ran into Vito and fished with him a number of times over the years. Phreshwon is correct in his taste for Spanish Macs. He would always ask for my left over bait because his wife had a recipe he absolutely preferred over any other fish! God Bless, Vito. __________________ "Back in the day, we.... "

06-11-2019, 08:01 AM	#8
rvonkaenel Junior Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Laguna Woods Posts: 19	Thanks for the heart felt post. Gives a 76 year young hope!