Our Crew
You've boated with the rest, now fish with the best aboard The Reelin with a crew that brings you over 100 years of fish producing experience. As you can see we have THREE Coast Guard licensed Captains on our crew functioning in various roles, all specializing in delivering exemplary customer service. There are few boats in the area that can boast this type of experience on the both the bridge and deck. With this crew at times you will see little or no communication as they all know what the other is thinking and what is required to be done to fish a particular piece of bottom. You can not find another crew that will work harder at finding customers fish.
Captain Kevin Bentley
Captain Kevin Bentley began saltwater fishing at the age of 12 with this father and grandfather in their old 18' wood Lapstrake hulled runabout. From that point on his addiction with the sea and fishing only grew. Captain Kevin spent many summers as a mate on the decks of some of the top charter boats in Southeastern Connecticut as well as a 3 year stint Captaining a boat for Sea Tow performing marine towing and salvage. But the allure of fishing was never faraway. About the same time Captain Kevin was working for Sea Tow he met up with Captain Ernie Celotto, working the deck as a mate and filling in as Captain whenever Ernie needed a break. Captain Kevin was a fine fisherman prior to meeting Captain Ernie. With the help of Captain Ernie who passed on his wealth of fishing experience, Captain Kevin quickly learned many subtle tips that spelled success to a trip. Captain Ernie used to say "Anyone can catch fish when the fishing is good, but a true charter boat captain can catch when no one else is". After Captain Ernie lost his battle with cancer, his widow sold the Reelin to Captain Kevin, knowing he would carry the Reelin name and tradition on.
Captain Victor Sottile
Captain Victor Sottile came to the Reelin after Captain Kevin introduced him to Captain Ernie. Like Captain Kevin, he spent his early boyhood years exploring the waters of Eastern Long Island Sound. Like Captain Kevin, Captain Vic was tutored by Captain Ernie on the small secrets which it takes to make fishing trips a success. &Captain Vic has filled in many times as the Captain on the Reelin and his people have always come home with their fish and smiles. Captain Vic takes a very business like approach to catching fish and takes every catch or the occasional loss of a fish very seriously.
Mate Jessica Bentley
Mate Jessica Bentley , will be following in her brothers’ boot steps. Jessica has been on the water since she was a baby. Some of her earliest memories are of putting "yucky" bait on the hook for bottom fishing. She is a recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Haven and will be working the deck when school is not in session. In the past Jessica assisted the Admiral with the clerical side of the business and is stepping up to master the art of working with her dad in charter boat fishing.
Mate Kevin Bentley, Jr.
Mate Kevin Bentley, Jr. Kevin will be a regular on many trips. As have his siblings, so has Kevin grown up on the water. He fondly recalls lobstering and fishing with his dad as a youngster. Kevin is a graduate from Plymouth State University and St Bernard High School where he was a 7 letter athlete and Captain of the wrestling team. He has proven to be a quick learner.
Admiral Amy Bentley
Admiral Amy Bentley What else can we say? The true brains of the Reelin operation. The Admiral runs the office. She will be the one you talk to before you book your trip of a lifetime. She will make the proper recommendations and guide you along to make the right decisions on which type of trip you are best suited.
Captain Phil Strickland
Captain Phil Strickland (a.k.a. Fisherman Phil) came to the Reelin after being highly recommended by our other mate Captain Vic. Until that time Captain Phil spent most of this time fishing for himself on various charter and party boats. Captain Phil began his fishing career in southern Florida, commercially fishing for Red Snapper as he grew up. Captain Phil did take a 20 year hiatus from fishing in favor of a short stint in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Chief Machinist Mate and more recently he retired from Electric Boat after a 20 year career as a Technical Lesson Writer. Sadly, Captain Phil will be only fishing with us on a part-time basis. Captain Phil has decided it is time for him to slow down and enjoy retirement, recreationally fishing on his own boat. We wish Captain Phil a long a health retirement, knowing he is only a phone call away to help with a repair or fill-in as a mate whenever necessary!