The Forum For Learning Through Athletics & The Arts, Inc.

Honoring Captain Roy Rockoff — Legendary Sportfisherman, Mentor, and Friend.

Captain Roy Rockoff

Captain Roy Rockoff was more than a fisherman. From Barnstable to the Bahamas, he was known as a teacher, a helper, and a man who brought out the best in people. In his honor, The Forum is expanding its mission to include fishing — opening up new opportunities for youth and recognizing the mentors who guide them.
Roy and I were sitting in the Bayonne Jewish Community Center lounge after playing basketball, watching television and talking. It was the middle of winter and Roy was an electrician’s apprentice wiring houses with no heat. Roy said he was fed up with it. I said would you like to come to Florida and learn how to take care of and run a boat?
Roy asked to think about it and he would let me know. The next day Roy called and said yes. One week later we both flew to Miami and went to Coconut Grove on Biscayne Bay where I kept the boat, a 43’ Gulf Star Trawler used mainly for cruising. This is when Roy’s love of boating and the ocean began, the winter of 1974.
Fortunately, we were docked next to a sailboat whose family lived on it. The father worked for Florida Power & Light and befriended Roy. He started teaching Roy all about boat maintenance in the engine room and on the outside.
On a trip to Chub Cay in the Bahamas, Roy and I tried sport fishing for sailfish and hooked a double header. We were captivated by the sport of fishing.
In 1975, I sold the Gulf Star Trawler and ordered a new 42’ Post Sportfishing boat. We relocated to the Sailfish Marina on Singer Island. Roy became a charter boat Captain, studied and got licensed. The Sailfish Marina was a center for charters and Captains and Mates. It wasn’t long before Roy, who was a quick learner, was very much into the whole sport fishing scene. We started fishing in tournaments that year but both of us had much to learn.
In 1983, I sold the Post and bought a 48’ Whiticar and we were on our way to bigger and better things. From Florida to Cape Cod and back several times. Fishing the Outer Banks for giant blue fin tuna as well as in Cape Cod Bay and Montauk. The experiences of a lifetime in the Bahamas at least 25 times from Walker’s Cay in the north to San Salvador in the south. While in Bimini, we witnessed Queen Elizabeth grant the Bahamas their independence.
Roy became one of the premier boat and sport fishing captains on the east coast. He made friends with everyone with his easy-going manner and his ability to help at the drop of a hat. From Barnstable, Massachusetts to Montauk, New York and south Florida everyone knew and respected Roy. Roy’s fishing records reflect how successful a sport fishing Captain he became.
Roy possessed the ability to fix anything. If he didn’t know how he figured it out with the help of his iPad and Google. This allowed Roy to always have the boat ready and in pristine condition.

Roy was not only an excellent Captain and fisherman but also my close friend and like family to me. I will miss him always but have thousands of fond and exciting memories.

– David Lipman, Founder of The Forum

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48'-JAMDL-Whitaker

Roy’s Fishing Stats – Highlights

Largest catches by species

Sailfish Blue Marlin White Marlin Giant Bluefin Tuna
837 38 13 4*
Record Numbers Over Career Trophy Catches Rare Captures Legendary Battles

*3 Caught with Wendell Black at the helm, Roy’s protégé

Tournament Wins & Notable Placements

Year/Event Result
Aug 1978 Barlivento Tournament, Cuba – 2 Blue Marlin
Jan 1984 Buccaneer Sailfish – Won With 10 Sailfish
Apr 1984 Walkers Cay Blue Marlin – 333 Lbs. “Money Fish”
Jun 1984 Arthur Smith Sailfish Tournament – 2nd Place
Jan 1985 IBL Sailfish Tournament – 2nd Place (24 Sailfish)
May 1985 Walkers Cay Blue Marlin Tournament – 226 Lbs. “Money Fish”
Jan 1989 Buccaneer Sailfish Tournament – Won With 14 Sailfish
Apr 1990 Walkers Cay Blue Marlin Tournament – 340 Lbs., 97” Missed Winning By 1” and Ended In 2nd Place
Jan 1991 Buccaneer Sailfish Tournament – 3rd Place Team (17 Fish)
Jan 1996 Sailfish Marina Tournament – 3rd Place

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