Despite water temperatures that have been changing as much as 10 degrees from one day to the next, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been putting together some nice catches.
Captain Adam Nowalsky of the "Karen Ann II" sailing from Great Bay Marina
reports continued good weather and catching for anglers in southern Ocean County. Fluke continue to migrate out of the bays, with mostly smaller fish remaining in the bay. He says the majority of the keeper sized fluke are now coming from the ocean. The sea bass bite is dominated by sub-legal fish. This is a good sign for the future.
Virginia's fleet of menhaden reduction boats were off Long Beach Island last week, working their way back south. If you see a fleet of a half dozen larger commercial boats with smaller sets of boats around them and a spotter plane flying overhead, give them a wide berth because they don't have much courtesy for the recreational
fishermen while setting their purse seine nets.
In fishing highlights, Captain Adam said the Bender family from Bethlehem, Pa. led by 7-year old Luke "The Boaterman" had a nice catch of big black sea bass. Another day he had a group of Seton Hall Alumni for "A Day With The Pirates." They had a good catch of mostly black sea bass with Jerry Walker leading the way.
Captain Dave Wittenborn of the "Compass Rose" found his fluke bite slowing with west winds and accompanying cooler water temperatures. Captain Dave solved that problem by fishing offshore some 8 miles where the deeper water was warmer. He said it was "Drop and reel" with a lot of shorts, but some real nice sea bass up to 5-pounds.
Last week's fishing was inconsistent for Captain Frank Camarda and the "Miss Beach Haven." A lot has to do with water temperatures and the amount of grass and seaweed in the water. On the ocean trips there have been some jumbo sea bass up to 4 lbs and fluke to 6-pounds. Nina from Bordentown was Saturday's pool winner with a 6-pounder. Sunday's conditions were poor most of the morning, and they concentrated on sea bass until a breeze arrived and the fluke started to bite. High hook was Tom Hook from Manahawkin.with 3 nice size fluke and a couple of sea bass. Pool winner today was the duke of fluke himself, Ted Alves of Mount Holly, with a 5-pound fluke.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com