The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been fighting unseasonably cold water temperatures and uncooperative weather to produce decent catches for their parties.
Captain Adam Nowalsky on the "Karen Ann II" has restricted his fluke fishing to the bay waters where the water temps are higher, and the fluke more willing to bite. He experimented with some deep water bottom fishing for Jim Sutphen and crew, and they came home with a very good catch of ling and big sea bass to over 3-pounds. Nowalsky also gave the Kirkpatrick family some excitement with1-2 pound bluefish in the inlet.
Captain Dave Wittenborn on the "Arlene Ann" fished the Garden State South Reef one day and had a steady pick of sea bass, fluke, and a ling until the bite suddenly stopped. He moved several times and finished up with 15 fluke and 16 sea bass. All fish were caught on Gulp minnows and peanut bunker.
Captain Dave Kreines on the "Sweet Baby" had the Farley family out and picked away on some fluke and some nice sea bass at the Garden State South Reef. On a move to a wreck they came upon a school of 8-10 pound bluefish which provided great action for several hours.
Kreines had the Josephson family out for some bay fishing for fluke. They had plenty of action on small fluke which made everyone happy.
Captain Bob Gerkens had the Chris Boyle family out on the "Hot Tuna" to the Barnegat Ridge to look for bluefish. They found all they wanted in the 8-10 pound class. They stopped fishing when everyone tired out and released most of those caught.
Captain Fran Verdi has been trying many spots to find fish. He had the Malino party out and fished four different spots on the Little Egg Reef. He then moved to the Garden State South Site and found little. He moved several other times and did manage to boat 3 keeper sea bass along with several short fluke.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com