The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are finding some very decent action in the ocean, both inshore and offshore. The artificial reefs and wrecks are producing nice catches of fluke, black sea bass, and ling. The boats heading offshore are getting into a good supply of tuna and other action.
Captain Bob Gerkens of the boat "Hot Tuna" had Bill Boseki of Manahawkin out for a tuna trip on Bill's 70th birthday. The trip was a gift from his family, and was his first ever tuna trip. Bill started the day off when a fish hit while he was sitting in the fighting chair. After a 30-minute fight, he brought a 60-inch bluefin tuna to the boat. The fish was gaffed and weighed in at 114 pounds after being bled. John Howell later boated a 60-pound bluefin, and the rest of the crew took turns in fighting a feisty 53-inch bluefin which was released. Although the Hot Tuna's Sunday bite was limited to bluefin tuna and some skipjack, Captain Bob said some of the other boats in the area also had yellowfin tuna.
After some bad weather forced the cancellation of several bluefin tuna trips last week for Captain John Lewis and the "Insatiable," he found himself running the boat "Big Dog" for a friend as he took some Paramus fire fighters out canyon fishing. The ended the trip with 3 nice yellowfin tuna to 50-pounds along with 5 mahi-mahi. Captain John said the canyons seem to be coming alive with pods of bait, and the inshore grounds continue to have bluefin tuna roaming around.
Captain George Finck of "Sparetime" Charters did several trips recently despite some poor weather. He fished the inlet and bay due to the incidents of fog and rain. Each trip his anglers managed to catch fish. Then when the weather finally cleared, he had the Patel and Mullarkey families out to the reef where they caught many fluke, black sea bass, and ling.
Captain Jimmy Zavacky had a group from Triangle Copy Center out on the "Reel Determined" to do some fluke fishing. The anglers caught over 40 fluke which included 6 keepers along with a few nice black sea bass. Mate Kyle Chudzinski did a great job on his first trip on the "Reel Determined."
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org
