Like everyone else in southern Ocean County, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are still drying out and thanking their lucky stars for a lack of serious damage from last weekend's double northeaster.
The tides were exceptionally high and necessitated a great deal of care and attention on the captains' parts. Now that the weather has returned to normal conditions, they are once again turning their attention to fishing.
It remains to be seen what the reef and bottom fishing will be like in the ocean. Naturally black sea bass and fluke are out. There should still be some good numbers of porgies around, but the triggerfish will be moving south very soon if they have not already. There are some good numbers of nice blackfish around, and will make for a nice target when the daily limit goes up from one in November.
Several of the captains will be taking parties out very soon and targeting striped bass. Although much of the baitfish seems to have been chased by the storm, there have been some very positive striped bass reports on live mullet, live bunker, and fresh clam.
Captain Fran Verdi of the "Dropoff" reports he is champing at the bit for the bass, and expects to put some in his fish box within the next week.
For additional information about the boats and captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association, visit their website at www.fishbeachhaven.com
