Meet the Captains of L'il Toot

Captain Michael Gootkind

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"I’m honored to take the helm of L'il Toot and continue the tradition of safe, fun, and unforgettable days on the water." - Captain Michael Gootkind

If you have fished with us over the last 8 years, you already know Captain Michael Gootkind. After serving as our trusted first mate for nearly a decade, Michael has officially taken the helm as the primary Captain of L'il Toot. Michael holds a USCG Captain’s License and brings over 13 years of local experience to the wheel, including 5 years aboard the party boat Seven B’s and running successful charters here whenever Captain John was away.

Michael is a highly seasoned, serious, and safety-oriented captain with a deep knowledge of where the fish are and exactly how to catch them. He is an active member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Drug Consortium and is dedicated to maintaining the exact same high standards, patience, and philosophy that L'il Toot was built on.

A Note on Our Mates: As Michael steps up to Captain, we are meticulously training and adding a new first mate to the crew. If you’ve fished with us before, you know we only employ top-notch mates who are ready to help with your tackle, offer expert tips, and act like surgeons with a fillet knife. We take our time to find the perfect fit for our family-friendly philosophy!

Captain John Rainone Founder & Senior Advisor

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"I take great pride in knowing L'il Toot is in the best possible hands. Michael knows these waters, our boat, and our customers perfectly." - Captain John Rainone

A former school teacher with a lifelong passion for the ocean, Captain John Rainone has been guiding anglers from flounder to giant bluefin tuna for over 46 years. While John is stepping back from the daily grind of full-time charters to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, his educational, patient approach to guiding lives on through Captain Michael.

John is a licensed Masters-100 ton U.S.C.G. Captain, a past President of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association, and served on the Tautog & Enforcement Advisory Panels for the State of RI's Marine Fisheries Council. He also participates in the NMFS Shark & Tuna Tagging Programs and the American Littoral Society Striped Bass Tagging Program. As co-editor of Rhode Island Fishing magazine, John remains a pillar of the local fishing community and will continue to act as a mentor and advisor for the L'il Toot crew.