Summer is coming, and the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are getting busy.
Captain Carl Sheppard has been scoring well on inshore bottom fishing trips with the “Star Fish.” On a recent trip he had Captain Vic Bertotti with mates Max Goldman and Marlyn Graham and 10 anglers from Tuckerton and Toms River. Over 50 fish were boated by the anglers including 12 keeper sea bass. One angler, Alicia, reeled in a 15.5-incher, the boat’s largest of the season.
Captain Ray Lopez on the “Miss Liane” has found a hot bluefin tuna bite. A trip with Gary and Zach Rietmann resulted in false albacore along with a nice bluefin tuna. Another trip with Gary Rietmann resulted in a 47.3-pound striped bass. Most of the action recently has been on the troll.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing reports another Barnegat Bay Slam-blues, bass, and fluke. He had Damien Flanagan, Erik Einset, and James McHale on a 5-hour bay and inlet trip. They first worked the inlet with S&S Rock to release stripers up to 24-inches and while boxing a couple of Blues. They played catch and release on bluefish to 10-pounds. With a change of tide, they worked the backwaters to catch and release 25 fluke with 1 keeper at 24.5 inches.
All the members of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Club are inviting folks to stop by the Sea Shell Club in Beach Haven this weekend between the hours of 4-7. The owners of the Sea Shell are graciously allowing the BHCFA to set up a table for their fund-raising efforts to replenish the local artificial reefs. The Junior Mates are spearheading these efforts and will be on hand to discuss their plans and how they can be helped.
In a related matter, Captain John Lewis, who heads up the BHCFA, appeared in Trenton this past week along with Peter Clark of the New Jersey DEP to discuss reef building in front of a Senate committee. Captain John said that the efforts seem to be well received, and he has plans to meet again with state officials to secure their help.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.
