Despite the closure of the summer flounder and black sea bass seasons, the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been managing to put fish in the fish box for their anglers.
The head boat "Miss Beach Haven" fished a private party last weekend and after finding very few fluke, headed in and loaded up on croakers. Mate Sal Rosa reports the big boat will be sailing three weekends in October for tuna. The trips will leave around 9am. on Saturdays and return on Sunday in mid-afternoon. The departure dates are October 8, 15, and 28, and the trips are limited to just 12 anglers.
Captain George Finck had the "Sparetime" out on a trolling trip to the canyons last weekend. He had two yellowfin tuna in the boat by 7 am. The final count for the trip was seven tuna and four mahi-mahi. They also released a white marlin. The trip went well on nice seas despite some foreboding weather reports.
Captain John Koegler on the "Pop's Pride" had a charter last Saturday and decided to fish in the bay due to the high seas in the ocean. The move paid out as they caught over 60 blowfish along with a 15-ounce kingfish, just shy of qualifying for a state "skillful angler award." They also caught bluefish of all sizes.
The anglers kept only the 16 largest blowfish along with some bluefish they trolled up from the inlet area. The blowfish were all over 16 inches in length. Captain John said it was the best blowfish action he has had in several years.
Captain Carl Sheppard on the "Starfish" had a local Boy Scout troop out on Sunday, and they fished several miles outside the inlet. They caught lots of fish with enough keeper weakfish and bluefish for a good catch.
Captain Fran Verdi on the "Dropoff" reports he is wreck fishing for another couple of weeks before he turns his attention to striped bass. With the positive reports he has heard north of Beach Haven, he expects them to be arriving shortly.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com or by calling 1-877-LBI-BHCFA (1-877-524-2423).
