ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS -- The mob figure whose fisherman son drew widespread wrath and was dropped by sponsors for roughing up fish in a video that went viral earlier this week is selling the family boat.



But it's not because of the backlash. It's because the family wants a bigger boat.



John "Johnny Bucktails" Contello, 19, of Hazlet, drew waves of scorn, mostly from fellow fisherman, for a video he posted to Facebook Monday showing him boastfully mishandling striped bass on board 37-foot Sea Hunter owned by his father, John Sr.

He issued an apology Wednesday, but not before thousands of fisherman had attacked him for giving the sport a black eye.

Many internet commenters also began circulating a listing on the web site of Aquarius Boat Sales in Wall showing Contello's boat listed for sale, sparking assumptions that the backlash against his son was pushing the family out of the fishing game.



Not so, apparently.



The boat, which John Sr. said features a live well "the size of a jacuzzi," has been listed for sale since November with an asking price of $325,000.



"Owner is already moving up,'' the listing noted.



A person familiar with the family says they want "something more comfortable and bigger that they can overnight in."



The Aquarius agent handling the sale declined to comment.



The listing was removed from the company's web site a few hours after NJ Advance Media inquired about the listing on Thursday.



The younger Contello sparked a firestorm when he posted video of himself to Facebook boasting about the number of fish his friends were catching on his boat. Viewers accused Contello of "culling" or keeping fish on deck only until a larger one is caught, then tossing the smaller fish away to comply with state laws allowing anglers to keep only one fish per day between 28 and 43 inches in length.

They also criticized him for keeping the fish out of the water for longer than necessary just for the video and not performing the more gentle release scientists consider crucial to their survival. Accurate Fishing, a California fishing reel manufacturer that had sponsored Contello Jr., severed their ties with him in the video's wake.

To all our Accurate supporters, friends, and family. We are no longer associated with John Contello. Once we saw the... Posted by Accurate Fishing on Tuesday, May 3, 2016



While his son's fishing future remains on solid ground, John Sr. may be plying more uncertain waters with a new bar and restaurant he is linked to on Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands.



Contello, a former Brooklyn resident, was named by federal authorities in an August, 2008 indictment charging him with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy and naming him as a captain in the Bonnano organized crime family.

He pleaded guilty in March 2009 to collecting unlawful debts. He was released from federal prison in 2012, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons web site.



Contello is listed as the agent in a limited liability corporation formed in September 2015 named Bobs LLC, with an associated name listed on paperwork "Red Zone Bar and Grill."

The company shares the same address as the Atlantic Highlands bar and restaurant 36 West, which opened in March. The restaurant's sign also carries the name "Red Zone @ 36 West."



Under New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control laws, a person convicted of a crime "involving moral turpitude" can have no interest in or be employed by a business holding a liquor license. A 2013 rule change by Acting Attorney General John Hoffman loosened the restrictions, but still prohibited ex-cons from almost all roles outside kitchen work.



Five years following their release from prison, a convict may apply for a reinstatement of eligibility. A spokeswoman for the State Division of Alcohol Beverage Control said Thursday Contello has not been granted what is called a "rehabilitation permit."

It is unclear exactly what role, if any Contello plays in the restaurant, besides being an agent in the LLC.

Contello was reached by telephone at the restaurant Tuesday to discuss the fishing controversy. On Wednesday a person answering the phone call at 36 West said he was unavailable because "he is off today." On Thursday evening, Contello was seen inside the restaurant carrying plates of food from the kitchen and delivering them to tables and mingling with customers.

A state ABC spokeswoman said Friday, "based on these allegations the State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control will look into the matter."



Billie Jo Caruso, who is listed on ABC records as the principal in La Bella Vita Corp, which holds the restaurant's liquor license, said Contello "is not involved in the restaurant."



"He has no involvement in the restaurant,'' she said, before abruptly hanging up the phone.



When reached for comment Friday, Contello Sr. unleashed a string of expletives and hung up on a reporter.

Brian Donohue may be reached at bdonohue@njadvancemedia.com Follow him on Twitter @briandonohue. Find NJ.com on Facebook.