RAINBOW CHARTERS WEBSITE: http://www.rainbowcharters.net/rainbowch.../home.html

The Boat
The boat as described on the Rainbow Charters webpage, "The Rainbow is a custom built true world marine 28 foot sport fishing vessel with a complete walk around deck. The main deck has a full tarp for weather protection and the cabin includes complete restroom facilities. It is a wheel- chair accessible, “barrier-free” vessel, equipped with a removable tuna door, mobile ramps, electronic reels and custom electronics. The Rainbow is U.S. Coast guard certified and documented as a charter vessel for up to six anglers."

The Crew:

Captain's Bio: Captain Bob Rocchetta has spent much of his lifetime on the water. As a boy on Long Island, he spent many afternoons casting off the docks for bass and dropping in a line for winter flounder. As a young man, he joined the United States Marine Corps and, soon after, began his career in the Suffolk County Police Department. Most of his assigments in the department was spent in the marine division, enforcing marine law and water safety. Captain Bob turned his fishing hobby into a business in 1980 when he started Rainbow Charters, and in 1981, he broke the long-standing IGFA All-Tackle World Record for striped bass with a 76 lb. bass caught off Montauk. Since then, that fish was only bettered by the current world record caught in NJ the following year. Today, Bob still holds the title of NY state striped bass record holder. Over the years, he has served as public relations representative and pro-staff for a number of fishing-related companies. Bob values education and conserving the fishery for our future youth, and as a result, he regularly gives fishing seminars in the off-season. For epic striped bass fishing in NY’s local waters, let BFTC introduce you to fishing with a world-class and world-record breaking captain.

Capt. Bob Rocchetta plus one mate is usually on call when fishing for striped bass. No one knows the waters around Orient Point better than Capt. Rocchetta. He often fishes away form the fleet and with far better results. Each of three times that I fished with him last year, we caught several 30+lbs striped bass. The most shocking part of it all is how nonchalant he always is when a 45+" bass comes up next to the boat. He is always looking for THAT big bass, and that is the only time I expect to see him fired up. Yes, he is just that good.


Fishing Report:
Various techniques were used for striped bass with Capt. Rocchetta in 2009 (see below).

June 24, 2009 Report (SPRING-TIME STRIPED BASS)

Pablo (Capt. Paul Peluso, MamaMia Charters), Kat, Susie, and I went on a charter trip with the famous Capt. Bob Rocchetta, Mr. State (and once World) Striped Bass Record Holder himself. It was a great honor to having him as our captain! He lived up to every bit of his famous reputation.

As this was an Spring day-time trip, live-lining porgies using three-way rigs was used. Rigs were pre-set by the first mate, and Capt. Bob provided one-on-one guidance for each hook-up and during each fish fight. Capt. Bob knows how to catch big (BIG!) bass. The highlight of the trip was when Susie got her personal best bass at over 40lbs. Her second bass ever, and it was over 40lbs!

We had many fish over 30lbs. What an awesome day!!!

Thanks to Capt. Rocchetta for one of the best bass trip of my life. Thanks also to first mate Kevin whose professionalism and politeness is unmatched. Rainbow Charters is truly a world-class operation. What a day! What a crew!

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August 2, 2009 Report (SUMMER-TIME STRIPED BASS)

Redgloves, Lourdes, Nevin, Capt. Paul Peluso and I fished the afternoon into evening with Capt. Bob Rocchetta. As this was a Summer day-time trip, bait-fishing with bunker chunks was the norm using metal line (no sinker), fishfinder rigs (with sinker), or free-lining, each used at a different phase of the tide. At night, it was three-way rigs with long leaders using eels.

In short, we limited out within the first few hours with fish up to 30lbs. Then, we switched to circle hooks (using the same rigs as above matched to the phase of the tide) and fished for sport (catch-n-release) for a bit. Switching over to circle hooks is a testament to Capt. Bob's genuine concern for the striped bass fishery. While most captains would continue using J-Hooks (which seems to be preferred by most captains because of percieved higher hook-up rates and thus, happier clients), Capt. Rocchetta had his mate take the time to switch all rigs, ensuring safe catch-n-release and minimal gut-hookings. I love that about this charter operation --> The concern for the fish comes first! We all learned many new techniques yesterday, which is always fun with Capt. Bob. I had a great time with him and Jonathan, the first mate.

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Depths Fished:
15-80 ft.

GEAR USED:
- Rods and Reels:
Lamiglas rods (various ratings)
Daiwa (Saltist) and Penn conventional reels

- Lines:
The boat uses steel line (which avoids the use of sinkers, and thus snags, in really rocky terrain) when the tide is intermediate in strength or 50+ lb braid when using fish-finder rigs (in heavier current) or free-lining (in lesser current).

- Terminal Tackle:
8/0-9/0 size J or Circle hooks

Filleting Services:
Filleting included in fare and completed by first mate.