Capt Bob Rochetta vs Albert McReynolds

[chief10]

you sh&%$#t fetish Larry!!

[Flaptail]

I had the pleasure ( ?) of meeting Albert MacReynolds whilst trout fishing back in the 80's in Spectacle Pond in Sandwich one cold March day. He came down to the waters edge with his tribe in tow to inquire how the fishing was and "Oh, by the way do you know who I am?" at that very moment, my new Gralite waders, which I noticed were getting very stiff the deeper I waded into the just after ice out water, cracked open from crotch to the knee on my right leg. (Talk about shrinkage).

Anyway, after enduring what seemed like an eternity of the tale of his epic (?) battle with the world record and fearing I would never see my manhood again if I didn't get into a warm truck an get home as soon as possible, I bid adieu to Mr. MacReynolds and his lovely family and left what was possibly the most bizarre encounter I have ever had while fishing ( except for a noted tournament caster who an also noted rod manufacturer makes a series of blanks in his name running full tilt across a flooded marsh not to say "hello, how are you" but to give me a catalog that was stuffed in his waders along with several others from that noted rod manufacturer while I was peacefully casting flies to bass in the creek in the middle of that marsh and also how does a casting champion become a surfcasting champion? But that's another story)

But I digress, knowing people familiar with the time place and people, there is a pall of, shall we say, mystery as to the real events of the day. Only time will reveal who is telling the real story.

[fishpoopoo]

i digress, but if you guys haven't fished with Capt. Bob Rocchetta out of Orient Point, NY - you should try to.

yes, folks say he is "captain hollywood" and he can be temperamental, but he is one of the greatest striper charter captains ever, in my book.

use his knowledge to your advantage.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I had the pleasure ( ?) of meeting Albert MacReynolds whilst trout fishing back in the 80's in Spectacle Pond in Sandwich one cold March day. He came down to the waters edge with his tribe in tow to inquire how the fishing was and "Oh, by the way do you know who I am?" at that very moment, my new Gralite waders, which I noticed were getting very stiff the deeper I waded into the just after ice out water, cracked open from crotch to the knee on my right leg. (Talk about shrinkage).

Usually, the "Do you know who I am?" would be followed by him handing you a business card that read "Albert McReynolds, World Record Holder, Striped Bass"

Which is why I laugh when I read about him now saying if he had it to do all over again, he'd cut the line

But, unless someone comes up with proof, he's still the record holder. His story changes because he's not the sharpest tool in the shed--not because the basics aren't true.

[BassDawg]

That is some hilarious stuff, numbskull !

Mr Sandman, I totally agree. In my view, Mr Stetzko is the undisputed SURFchamp!
Met him at RISAA last year, what a down to earth and nice guy he is. Talked extensively with Charlie Cinto as well, sweetheart of a man ~also. Both of those stripermen are at the top of my list, along with Capt Bob........................

Mike P, even funnier. But, doesn't McReynolds offer up the "reasonable doubt" himself when he tells of his buddy grabbing his hoodie, thereby adding a third party to the fight? I am not completely clear on the chapter and verse of the IGFA rules of qualification, but he was never going to land that fish by gear alone, nor all by himself ~apparrently. It has always been my understanding that any fish must be landed 'mano y pesco'. It just seems to me that someone was asleep at the wheel on that particular ruling. Agreed, however, a ruling is a ruling and they are our "governing" body when it comes down to it.

All that being said, I am most confident that the McReynolds feesh has seen its last days at the top, and I am very encouraged that the New World Record will be landed from the prolific and magnificent waters of the NShore of Boston. Most of you North Shore surfrats know of where I speak !!!

Damn its gonna be a LOOOOOONG winter, AND the Pats just keep on doin their THANG !!

[Swimmer]

I think the reason McReynolds story changes so much, (if at all), is because everytime you read about it the story is being told by another writer, or someone who has new information. While Albert may not be going downriver with both oars in the water I don't think he is lying. The fish would have weighed more if he was able to put it on a scale in a timely fashion.
He spoke at a monthly M.S.B.A. meeting a few years ago and brought his wife and son along. At times he was difficult to listen too. I am not sure why. It always bothers me when I listen to people trying to take something away from a person who has nothing. And the McReynolds family has nothing from my perspective. If Albert McReynolds didn't catch this fish his life would have been completely empty of anything worthwhile from most peoples standards. I have always felt that if anyone else caught that fish, anyone, who had all his teeth, wasn't dressed in tattered clothing, whose wife didn't have a "fat ass", he would have been treated much differently. Nobody else was there except him and his buddy, but so many people are so sure he didn't catch that fish.

Every winter someone dredges up something else, a new theory based on supposition, conjecture, and unfounded rumors, about him and "the fish".