The upcoming weekend looks good for some fishing off Beach Haven. Prior to the recent storms, some of the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association were catching fish both in the canyons and close to the beach.
After hearing of a good overnight tuna chunk bite at the northern canyons earlier last week, Captain Bob Gerkens of the "Hot Tuna" took 3 enthused anglers to the south Tom's Canyon. Despite some runoffs, there were no solid hookups. On the trip home, Captain Bob decided to do a fast troll rigged for wahoo. Angler Quinn Christie picked up a mahi off a lobster pot. Then within 40 miles of the inlet, Matt Ruark landed a 60-pound yellowfin tuna on a center daisy chain. They switched the rigs to ballyhoo on a slow troll looking for more tuna when Bobby Pawlowski boated a 40-pound wahoo. It just goes to show that you can never know everything about a fish.
Captain Fran Verdi on the "Francesca Marie" reports recent trips have been resulting in keeper fluke. One trip had five keepers and tons of keeper sea bass that all were put back in the water to be landed once the season re-opens. Another trip put 11 keeper fluke in the box by mid-morning when the drift and wind changed and the bite stopped. He is looking forward to the re-opening of sea bass season.
Captain Fran is taking bookings for striper season and says he intends to fish several tournaments including The Red Man's in Tuckerton on October 18, the Sea Shell on October 26 in Beach Haven, and the Stafford PBA on November 16.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.com or by calling 877-524-2423.
