Although the inshore wreck and reef fishing slows down this weekend with the close of the summer flounder season. The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are chomping at the bit to get offshore and do some big game fishing. There appears to be an abundance of billfish in the canyons, and the tuna bite is also strong. In addition, the mahi-mahi are always around to provide more meat for the cooler. The only caveat is finding suitable weather conditions.
Captain Lindsay Fuller recently took a group offshore on the "June Bug." He had heard there were some excellent quantities of big eye tuna near the 100-fathom line in the Toms Canyon. Reports had the fish taking lures and baits trolled very close behind the transoms, less than 30-feet in many cases. Captain Lindsay also heard of heavy concentrations of blue and white marlin along the 100-fathom line from the northeast corner of the Lindenkohl Canyon up past the Carteret and halfway up to the Toms.
The "June Bug" headed to the Carteret to start. Fishing in 400-feet of water just before daylight, they started the troll in 71-degree water. Within a quarter of a mile they had a strong blue marlin on. Right after that fish was released, another blue took bait followed by a third. After releasing those fish, they decided to circle the area and promptly had a white marlin attack. A white was released with all of the billfish hooking up in a 2-square mile area. They headed to the Toms looking for tuna but could manage only a 10-pound mahi despite some huge schools of bait showing on the electronics.
Captain Lindsay decided to return to his original trolling spot where he promptly hooked up with some huge blue marlin estimated at about 400-pounds. Despite encountered reel problems caused by the big fish, the day continued on with more blues and whites hitting the baits. Most of the fish provided exciting aerial displays.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.com.