Capt. Joe Sr.

Capt. Joe Sr. has over 55 years experience fishing the Delaware Bay and the Jersey coast.  He served in the United States Coast Guard stationed in Sue St. Marie in the Great Lakes.  Few captains match his vast experience with both day and nighttime fishing in the Delaware Bay.  From the days of the big porgies and king fish, though the big bite of the weakfish that made Fortescue N.J. the “WEAKFISH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”, to the present time of the croakers, stripers, and the spring time drum run, Capt. Joe Sr. has seen it all.

Capt Joe Jr.

Capt. Joe Jr. has grown up on the Delaware Bay, working as a mate on different boats since age 11.  He was taught by many great captains, including his grandfather Capt. Ernie and his dad Capt. Joe Sr. At age 18, Capt. Joe Jr. obtained his captains license and has been running the boat ever since.  With the information that was passed from one generation to the next, combined with his own lifetime experiences and great sense of humor, Capt. Joe Jr. makes an enjoyable day of fishing even better. 

Capt. Mike

Capt. Mike has spent a lifetime on the water, from working on tuna boats in Maine to fishing south Florida and back to the Delaware Bay.  In 1987 he became part of the crew of the Bonanza II.   From running the boat daily, Capt. Mike has extensive knowledge of the Bay both during the day and at night.  Capt. Mike is just as comfortable either plotting a course off shore or netting fish on deck.

First Mate Chris

There will always be a mate or two available to assist you before, during and after your trip.  Chris Bland joined the Bonanza II crew in 2003 and is our full-time mate. 

First Mate Nick

Nick Rothman, Capt. Mike’s son, also works on the boat during the summer.   He started in 2002 and is currently a junior at Vineland High School. 

First Mate John

John Green joined us in 2000 and is a part-time mate.  John is also a teacher at Oxford High School in PA and is a licensed captain.

And still more help...

Cody Baxter, our mate in training, joined us in 2004 at the age of 12.  He is currently a sophomore at Cumberland Regional High School.  You may occasionally see Ed Mahoney, Lance Ravis and Bobby Marino (who is also a licensed captain) working on deck. Andrew “Buck” Rothman, Capt. Mike’s youngest, can also been seen on the boat learning the ropes. Please remember the mates work mostly for tips.