Background
Chenelle a.k.a. “Nellie” was born in South Africa, raised in England and now resides as a sportfish mate in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her positive, outgoing, fun-loving and adventurous spirit vibes as a welcome addition to the Reel Candy Team!
At the age of 18, Nellie’s love for adventure led her to the French Alps to snowboard and mountain bike. While in the Alps she quickly climbed the ranks working for a British tour operator running a seasonal 42-guest chalet. Her continued pursuit of adventure (and income) during the off-season in Northern France piqued her interest in the summertime yachting industry prevalent in Southern France.
In 2018, working as crew on 145ft Benetti motor yacht, while docked in Palm Beach, she caught her first fish ever! It was a little catfish off the stern with a tiny 3 ft rod…. and she was ‘hooked’ since then!!! Following this day, Chenelle began building her experience and skillset, to later land a job in 2019 working on a private sportfish for 3 years that fished out of Palm Beach/Lake Worth inlet, the Florida Keys and Bahamas. Chenelle has been recruited and fished in several notable fishing tournaments including Operation Sailfish, Chasin Tailz and Jimmy Johnson.
We are excited to welcome Chenelle to the Reel Candy Team since the start of 2023 season!
Nellie is enthusiastic about gaining a wealth of knowledge on the ocean life and lives for the thrill of the catch. Her laugh, smile and warm personality will make you and your guests feel at home!
Background
The eldest of Capt. John’s three children, Ashley also inherited her father’s love for the ocean and nature. From childhood Ashley has been drawn to the water and intrigued by the marine life living in it. Coming from a fishing family, her childhood and teen years were split between life on the Chesapeake Bay and South Florida. She spent many summer days on the beach or on the water helping and learning from her Dad and Pap-Pap but with a different focus. Ashley was more interested in studying the animals than taking them home for dinner! As a high school student, while collecting sea life samples from the marsh for a biology class project, Ashley realized she wanted to pursue a career in marine science.
After high school Ashley attended Florida Atlantic University Honors College where she was awarded an academic scholarship. She graduated at the top of her class spring 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and received many academic honors including Magna Cum Laude and Top Academic Scholar of her graduating class. As an undergraduate at FAU, Ashley’s field work, lab work and research has ranged from the study and restoration of marine sponges in the FL Keys to behavioral studies of sharks and rays as related to local aquaculture in the Indian River Lagoon.
She is currently teaching and pursuing her Master’s Degree at College of Charleston, SC. Ashley’s enthusiasm and exceptional work ethic make her a valued part of the Reel Candy team. We are pleased that Ashley’s efforts have forged relationship between Reel Candy and local scientists at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, DNR, and other conservation groups for collaboration in data collection and sustainable fishing practices.
Background
As a child, Christopher’s enthusiasm for wildlife and nature earned his nickname “Critter”. It was often unknown what insect or creature may come crawling out from his pocket or backpack that he had “collected for observation”, without warning.
As the younger of Captain John’s two sons by less than two years, Chris’ childhood often mirrored his older brother Johnny. Like his brother, Critter spent much time adventuring the trout streams of Maryland, hunting and fishing the Chesapeake with his Dad, and mastering marksmanship through team and individual competition.
At the age of 15 he decided to move with his father, Capt. John to South Florida. He enrolled in online schooling as an alternative to attending traditional high school. This allowed Chris to attend school on-board Reel Candy while he gained tremendous fishing knowledge and experience, traveling and working with Reel Candy, all over south Florida and the islands of The Bahamas.
From a young age Critter has had a lifetime of experience and has been sought after repeatedly by top fishing programs and tournament teams for his natural fishing instincts and ability to stay calm in the midst of chaos, which makes him an asset in the cockpit!
Background
John Bobnar Jr. is the oldest of Captain John’s two sons. Like his father, Johnny developed an adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors from a young age. As a child Johnny was always the first to tag along for any adventure!
He spent many youthful days trapping, shooting, and hunting with his Dad and “Pap-Pap” during the winter months, and summer months fishing, crabbing and helping with various jobs on and off the water maintaining and operating their family charter business on the Chesapeake Bay.
As a young man, John’s interest in engines and mechanical aptitude led him to begin pursuing a career in the marine service industry. Promptly after high school, Johnny attended Palm Beach State College and graduated top of class in the Marine Service Technician Program.
He is currently working in the field as an ABYC certified marine diesel technician and Reel Candy’s lead mechanic/chief engineer. Johnny has performed all scopes of maintenance and repairs on our vessel, from routine maintenance to a complete overhaul of our Detroit Diesel 671-TIB engines. Johnny is also an experienced, very skilled sport fishing mate and currently pursuing his 100-ton master captain license.
Background
From a young age, like Captain John, Eric’s true passion in life has also always been fishing. He grew up charter fishing throughout Southern Florida and the Bahamas aboard Reel Candy, acquiring skills and experience from the start-up of the business over 20 years ago. Although a large amount of his tournament success and fishing career has been on Reel Candy, Eric has also been recruited to fish aboard many other vessels from time to time.
Some of his tournament experience include The Bahamas Billfish Championship Tournament, Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament, White Marlin Open and many local Stuart and Jupiter Sailfish tournaments.
In addition, Eric spends much of his free time developing a local knowledge of fresh and backwaters using different fishing techniques including casting, jigging, and fly fishing for species such as Peacock Bass, Large Mouth, Cichlids, Snook and
Tarpon. Eric’s passion for fishing, work ethic, personality and lifetime of local knowledge make him a valuable part of the Reel Candy team, you will be impressed!
Background
U.S.C.G. Licensed Master Captain – 100 Gross Tons
Bahamian Master, Class A – 120 Gross Tons
Johns’ true passion in life has always been fishing… as a young child, he spent most of his free time fishing and hunting… everything from tying flies and fly fishing for trout to bow hunting to crabbing to trapping muskrats and racoons. His grandfather told him “If you love your job, you will never have to work a day in your life” John took that to heart and pursued a career in doing… not only what he does best but also what he LOVES!!
Captain John spent a large portion of his adult life fishing Chesapeake Bay, off the coast of Ocean City, MD where he grew up… and has since fished Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Florida, the Bahamas and Panama. He also enjoys tournament fishing and has participated in (with success on occasion) numerous local and IGFA fishing tournaments here in Florida and elsewhere.
John is also a proud father of three amazing children: Ashley, Johnny and Christopher, whom are all lovers of the ocean and have all pursued careers within the marine field. Captain John truly enjoys charter fishing and hopes to show it each day to his guests when the boat departs the dock. In addition to his impressive fishing knowledge and experience. His skill set as captain also includes a lifetime of marine experience and knowledge on and off the water from diesel engines to navigating the islands of the Bahamas.
He says, “My biggest thrill is hooking up and being a part of catching a first-time charter guest their first fish, biggest fish, or the trophy catch of their life”.
When you step aboard the “Reel Candy” it is Capt. John’s goal to make you feel at home. Let’s “make memories that last a lifetime.”
