This is fall at the New Jersey shore, and that means the striped bass are on the scene. The boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been bending rods with some of these big bass.
Captain Fran Verdi has gotten the "Francesca Marie" into the thick of the striped bass action. He made a trip out of Barnegat Inlet, and reports the action was worth the trip. He found the water filled with bunker along with many boats nagging and dropping bunker. Captain Fran made the decision to try drifting live spot around the bunker pods, and they produced in a big way. He made three drifts around three bunker pods and ended up with a 35-inch and a 40-inch bass. He says that "If you want to bass fish now is the time to go."
After a long period of trials and tribulations, Captain Lindsey Fuller has the "June Bug" back in the water and ready to go. A long series of delays caused by Superstorm Sandy and difficulties with insurance companies kept the "June Bug" from time on the water. The final phase of the work was done at Viking in New Gretna, and Captain Lindsey termed the technicians there "real pros." He is now putting the boat through its paces and getting acclimated to the brand new electronics.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org.
