Jose Wejebe Dies in Plane Crash

Prnewswire

Jose Wejebe Dies in Plane Crash

Jose Wejebe in 2010

We are saddened to confirm reports that popular angler and 'Spanish Fly' host Jose Wejebe died yesterday afternoon in a plane crash in southwest Florida. He was 54.

According to reports, Wejebe was flying a single-engine Comp Air 8 kit plane when it crashed soon after takeoff from Everglades City around 4:45 p.m.

"Everything Jose did, he did well," said John Brownlee, editor in chief of Salt Water Sportsman, "whether guiding, or starring in his award-winning TV show. He touched a lot of people's lives and elevated our sport far beyond where it was only a few years past. He will be missed by a great many people, for a great many different reasons."

Cuban-born Wejebe was a colorful and popular personality in the fishing community and host of the long-running 'Spanish Fy' fishing show, which has been on the air since 1995.

He is leaving behind 28-year-old daughter Kristin Wejebe.

Please join us in offering our condolences to Jose's family and fellow friends.

Comments (81) Post A Comment

from Lake Lyons (not verified) on 04.10.12 at 11:20PM ET.

I've watched his shows all these years and never turned one off. Jose could fish for anything and make a good show out of it. I always said if i could only watch one show a week it would be Spanish Fly. Never talked down to anyone or acted like he was important like so many of the hosts on hunting and fishing shows do. I feel like i've lost a fishing buddy.Fair winds and following seas amigo.

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from Tim Gondeck (not verified) on 04.10.12 at 9:05PM ET.

Like so many, I have watched Jose on his television show and felt like he was exactly the kind of guy that you would want to spend a day fishing with. As a freshwater fisherman from the midwest Jose inspired me to want to someday saltwater fish. I am truely saddened that no matter how great the odds were that I will never have the opportunity to fish with him on the "Spanish Fly." My deepest condolences to the family of Jose Wejebe. Jose was definetly one of fishing's greats.

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from fran kasper (not verified) on 04.10.12 at 8:30PM ET.

he will be sadly missed i watched him every sun in pennsylvania my favorite fishing show my prayers got out to his family i still can't believe this :(

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from brian moran (not verified) on 04.10.12 at 5:26PM ET.

into the big blue my friend,condolences to your family, you will be missed,,thank you for helping make so many a better sportsman in understanding the ways of the sea and all its treasures,,,,

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from Alberto Delucca (not verified) on 04.10.12 at 10:26AM ET.

I just read this and I am in a shock. I have been a fan of Jose since he was Flipp Pallot's guide, long before he was host of his own program.

I have wash and recorded all of his programs for years to a point that I fell that Jose was my personal friend. He is also my contact in Face Book.

I envision me going to the Florida Keys, finding his boat in the Marina and taking my photo next to him and the Spanish Fly. It would have been a true honor to have that photographs in my office and my Face Book.

His recent program where he went fishing with Kristin on a windy stormy day, was very emotional and reminded me of my father, who took me fishing in boats, since I was a very young kid. My father also helped me buy my last four boat, even after his death, thanks to the money he left me.

I'll miss him terribly, I fell I lost a true friend. Jose and I are of the same age, we could be brothers and we are both Hispanics.

May God have him in his Glory and his family find the strength to go on with out him. God Bless.

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from Benito (not verified) on 04.10.12 at 9:22AM ET.

Sad ending to a dedicated fisherman. Now he will fish forever. Prayers to his beloved family.

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from m.drew49@yahoo.com on 04.10.12 at 9:01AM ET.

My heart sank also when I recieved this very, very sad news. Living in western pennsylvania I've watched his SPANISH FLY fishing show every saturday morning an inspiration to the sport of fishing and wanting to be a better angler. I have gained so much knowledge about saltwater fishing from this great ambassodor of our sport, and he will be sadly missed, my condolances to his family and thank you for sharing this fisherman with us.God has blessed you my bro, tight lines for ever.

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from Marc Kleber (not verified) on 04.09.12 at 10:45PM ET.

THank-You Jose for me liking salt water fishing from a fresh water angler. You were the man.

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from margaret (not verified) on 04.09.12 at 10:19PM ET.

Jose will be sorely missed. He was a great fisherman and was a great keeper for the everglades and it's habitants. My favorite show was when him and his daughter went fishing. The way he talked about her, you could just see and hear the love and how proud of her he was at her accomplishments. God bless you Kristen and remember that you were very loved. My prayers to you and your family.

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from Bo ackerman (not verified) on 04.09.12 at 9:37PM ET.

Got the text Saturday AM. Lost my breath. Disbelief. Got in the boat by myself and went shallow water fishing in his honor. He was an icon and hero to me. So much more than just a fisherman. I will never forget his passion. Gone but never forgotten. Hope where you are there is always "Fish On"

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from luis SOSA (not verified) on 04.09.12 at 9:13PM ET.

LO QUE VOY A DECIR LO HARE EN ESPANOL PORQUE FUE LA BELLA TIERRA DE CUBA LA QUE VIO NACER A ESTA LEYENDA JOSE WEJEBE.NUNCA LO CONOCI EN PERSONA PERO SIENTO COMO SI LO HUBIERA HECHO,EN SUS FISHING SHOWS DISFRUTE Y APRENDI MUCHO DE TI AMIGO.SIENTO TERRIBLEMENTE LO QUE A PASADO DIOS TE BENDIGA A TI Y ATODA TU FAMILIA.SIEMPRE TE RECORDAREMOS CON MUCHO ORGULLO Y ALEGRA.DESCANSA EN PAZ "AMIGO:

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from PatsFanDanno (not verified) on 04.09.12 at 2:27PM ET.

My heart sank when I read this yesterday. I've enjoyed countless hours watching Jose and Spanish Fly. He was an amazing fisherman and he always seemed to be having the best time in the world when he was fishing. He will be greatly missed and my deepest condolences to his Daughter and the rest of his Family. My buddy and I decided we are going to dedicate our 2012 fishing season to him...RIP Jose..Tight lines, My Friend!

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from warren hanania (not verified) on 04.09.12 at 8:26AM ET.

RIP JOSE. A TRAGIC LOSS TO EVERYONE SURROUNDING THIS GREAT SPORTSMAN. I FOLLOWED JOSE FOR YEARS. IT WAS THE FASTEST HALF-HOUR ON TV. HE WILL BE MISSED. WARREN HANANIA

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from Jason Alzamora on 04.08.12 at 11:15PM ET.

What a fisherman, the only show i never missed.

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from Adam Hardcastle (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 9:55PM ET.

I have watched since the beginning with the mullet hair style and all.
I will miss Jose..............the consummate fisherman and always the fisherman's fisherman.

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from Frank Daley (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 4:35PM ET.

Jose you have given us a lot over the years. You surely were a great fisherman. Now you will fish on gods great ocean RIP

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from Rob Mellors (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 4:02PM ET.

Jose Wejebe, in my humble opinion, was one of the best and knowledgeable all round anglers I have ever seen.

His feel, and explanation, of and for our sport was fantastic . As he once said on one of his programmes "People wonder why I don't dream" - His response "I don't need to dream, my dreaming is here and now all around me". Thanks for broadening my angling knowledge Jose!

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from James Ramirez (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 1:52PM ET.

May God's blessings be with Jose and his family. He will be sorely missed and especially remembered whenever I think about our shared fishing grounds of Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. I've served all over the world throughout a career in the Marine Corps and civilian service to our nation. Jose's television shows took me home, from wherever I was stationed. Reminding me of home, my culture and the marine treasure we shared in South Florida. We all owe him a thanks for his conservation efforts and for protecting our everglades and marine habitat so that it might be shared for generations to follow.

Muchas Gacias, mi hermano y vayo con Dios.

James Ramirez

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from paul daley (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 12:33PM ET.

R.I.P,SO SAD MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.

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from generatormike (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 12:30PM ET.

He understood what fishing was about. The adventures, friendships, and experiences, if you caught some fish that was the bonus.

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from Deucalion (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 11:43AM ET.

Jose and Flip, the two best shows regarding fishing on TV; no shtick or hyperbole, just fishing. Sad to see a life end so soon but hopefully, he lived the life he loved.

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from pat d (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 10:49AM ET.

RIP Jose... a real class act

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from Striper66 on 04.08.12 at 10:43AM ET.

Truely a very sad for ALL.

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from Neil Sinanan (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 8:00AM ET.

This is so sad and unbelievable, I am still in shock. Jose brought such a joy to his program, you could see how happy he was in his element. Like Flip Pallot his show was so much more about fishing, it was a way of life. He respected and loved the sea, he was a true sheperd and I learned so much from him.

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from LaserWolf (not verified) on 04.08.12 at 5:18AM ET.

Such a great waterman, a true hero of the sea, his legacy will live on forever. Best wishes to the Family.

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from M.M.C. (not verified) on 04.07.12 at 11:03PM ET.

Spanish Fly is the only fishing show I will watch. Jose had such respect for the sport and for the environment. He helped me to understand why my husband loves fishing. Fish in peace, Jose, I know that will be your heaven.

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from Brice McReynolds on 04.07.12 at 10:04PM ET.

He was a living legend in my home city of Miami he is now a legend he isnt here Physicaly anymore but he lives in all of us that he touched in one form or another and is looking down on us now till we meet on the other side rest in piece Jose and god bless his family

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from mikev on 04.07.12 at 7:39PM ET.

You'll be missed Jose. Prayers to your family.

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from Mike Tichvon (not verified) on 04.07.12 at 5:56PM ET.

I never met Jose' but I felt I knew him through his shows. My Wife and I really enjoyed the way Jose' presented our sport and we will miss him. Our prayers are with him and his Family. Mike & Liz

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from Monica (not verified) on 04.07.12 at 4:32PM ET.

Jose was a kind and compassionate man a true gentleman.... He was one of the good ones. My heart goes out to Kristin and his family. Jose will be deeply missed!!!:(((

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from Bill Ganz (not verified) on 04.07.12 at 2:30PM ET.

A huge lost to the entire fishing community. He really seemed to enjoy life and all of us were fortunate to have been able to view his shows and learn from his adventures. He really will be missed !

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