The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are fishing for a variety of species as they work to find action for their anglers.
The "Miss Beach Haven" and Captain Frank Camarda have been fishing the wrecks and reefs regularly recently for blackfish and cod when the weather permits.
Last Friday evening they had an enthusiastic group of anglers from the Lacey Township High School Fishing Club out. Despite beautiful conditions and plenty of action on small fish, they were unable to put a keeper in the box.
Saturday's trip brought a little better pick of action than the previous night did. At the first stop "Miss Diane" dropped her line over and within a few minutes boated a hefty 9-pound blackfish. The other stops brought some keeper blackfish among the throwbacks along with a few codfish.
With blackfish season ending Friday, Captain Frank will be fishing for striped bass, bluefish, and drumfish starting May 1 until the black sea bass season opens in May. He will be sailing from 8am. until 1 pm.
The galley of the "Miss Beach Haven" is now being run by Sal Rosa who reports he is offering chicken along with barbeque and Italian foods for the boat's customers. All foods come with a good dose of Sal's witticisms.
Captain Adam Nowalksy of the "Karen Ann II" reports fair bottom fishing on the inshore wrecks with a nice mix of tog and cod while Great Bay and Little Egg Inlet are alive with bluefish along with some striped bass and drumfish. He had the Michael Preis party out for 20 nice tog up to 8-pounds.
As president of the NJ chapter of the RFA Captain Adam was busy with the chapter sponsored cleanup of Graveling Point and Pebble Beach on Earth Day.
Captain Fran Verdi on the "Dropoff" has been fishing the bay waters with some success on striped bass and some bluefish. Most of his fishing has been with clams in the waters off Graveling Point but he is now ready to try some of the other productive spots in the area.
Captain Carl Sheppard of the "Star Fish" fished last Sunday looking to find some striped bass but ended up with over 40 big bluefish. Captain Carl advises using steel leaders as the big slammers were chewing right through 100-pound test leaders. The blues were full of spearing and small mackerel.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com
