- Oct 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Rainbow Charters
Captain Scott Ellis
386-252-2228
For more than 60 years, Rainbow Fishing Charters has been a cornerstone of the fishing community in Ponce Inlet, embodying the spirit of family tradition, adventure, and evolution. Since its inception in the early 1960s, the Ellis' family has weathered the tides of change in the fishing industry here, constantly adapting as a small, family-run operation allowing them to evolve into one of the most well respected names in the Central Florida fishing scene. Its long-standing history reflects not only the evolution of the fishing industry in Ponce Inlet but also the connection between the charter service and its backbone; the local community it serves.
In the 1930s, Ponce Inlet was a quiet coastal town, largely untouched by the hustle & bustle of modern development. It was during this time that many of the foundering fisherman of our local charter industry saw the opportunity to share the area's rich productive waters with the world. The original Rainbow helmed by Captain Gene Ellis began the now decades old legacy with one goal in mind, bringing home the fish, a tradition that still rings the supper bell today. Captain Gene Ellis would go on to have a son, during what would have seemed to be the year of legends in 1934. Midwife Martha Stone would help bring three prominent fisherman into the world that year, her own grandson future Captain Bob Stone (F.V. Snow White), future Captain Frank Timmons (F.V. Marianne) and future Captain John Ellis (F.V. Rainbow II). Captain John Ellis would go on to have 3 sons; John, Steve and Scott- who would go on to carry the family tradition helming first the Rainbow, then the Rainbow II, and finally the Rainbow III. Spanning over 60 years this legacy encompasses 4 generations of Ellis captains as well as five vessels, almost all operating under the Rainbow F.V. name, which was chosen by Captain Gene Ellis because of God's promise not to flood the world again. Its next generation offshoot, Reef Wrecker Fishing Charters, helmed by Captain JJ Ellis, will carry the family tradition into the next generations to come.
At the helm of the Rainbow III at present day, Captain Scott Ellis has been manning the boat for over 25 years now. While he has been at the helm that long, it's safe to say that almost his entire life was spent on these vessels, a testament to how deeply engrained the culture is in the family. He started fishing very young with his father, grandfather, and brothers and worked as a mate growing up and has been fishing ever since. He has Captained boats to places far and wide, like Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas. Over the course of Captain Scott's life he has seen the growth of the charter industry here first hand; from a bustling inlet with countless head boats, to the rise of sport fishing, all the the way to its present day incarnation that is truly tailor fitted to the needs of each individual angler that visits. Though it was historically docked at Hidden Treasure, the Rainbow III is now perfectly situated at Lighthouse Marina just minutes from the inlet. This prime location now features bait on the water at Lighthouse Bait & Tackle, not to mention the restaurant next door that will cook your catch- Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill.
The Rainbow III, a 39' Number One sport fisher built in Key West, was recently repowered with a brand new 450 horsepower Cummins inboard engine, she is a sturdy, well laid out vessel that provides a safe, fun, and comfortable fishing trip. Featuring a cuddy style cabin, she has tons of open space for anglers to both relax and enjoy the views or reel in the big one (or two!)! In 2023 she was upgraded with all new electronics, GPS and the latest fish fishing technology. Other notable features include large fly bridge, outriggers and downriggers, dual fighting chairs, and the highly sought after on board restroom.
Captain Scott Ellis has fished for just about every fish there is to catch out there, but his favorite type of fishing will always be for pelagic's. Between the show that a fish such as a Mahi or Sailfish gives you jumping while you are bringing them in, the fight is second to none in his heart. For families and beginners, the charter provides family-friendly trips that focus on creating a fun and educational experience, while more experienced anglers can choose customized trips to target larger, sportier fish on long range adventures. He insists he chose to follow the family tradition because of his love of the adventure of being out on the open ocean, and his own enjoyment of watching his customers experience the excitement of reeling in a great catch.
The 60-year history of Rainbow Fishing Charters is a story of perseverance, growth, and passion for the waters of Ponce Inlet. From its humble beginnings as a small, local charter service to its modern incarnation the Rainbow has stayed true to its mission: providing an exceptional fishing experience while nurturing a deep respect for the marine environment. As Ponce Inlet continues to grow, it remains a steadfast reminder of the area's rich fishing heritage, offering new generations the opportunity to experience the thrill of the catch in one of Florida's most iconic fishing destinations.
Trips aboard the Rainbow III include: 4/6/8 HR Offshore Trips, a 10 HR Deep Water Trip, and a 12 HR Gulf Stream trip.
