As the 2008 summer flounder season nears its end, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are returning to port with some of their best catches of the year.
Capt. Adam Nowalsky of the charter boat Karen Ann II out of Great Bay Marina reports fluke fishing on the ocean was the hot ticket last week with the local reefs providing good catches when the drift conditions cooperated. The Eisner family had a good catch of fluke with brothers Dave and Sam landing some nice fish to 7.5-pounds. The Colangelo party had 9 keepers to 22" with Jerry leading the high hook. The Detweiler family encountered poor drifting conditions but still managed 8 keepers to 22-inches with Lisa leading the way.
Captain John Koegler on the charter boat "Pop's Pride" reports some "exceptional" fishing late in the summer. He said the warmer ocean water brought his best fluke day of the season as well as the top day for sea bass. The day started with a slow drift which was perfect for the sea bass, and when the wind came up and sped up the drift, the fluke bite got hot. The keeper ration was 4-1, his best of the summer. Captain Koegler has some open days and plans to fish daily until the fluke season closes.
Captain Carl Sheppard on the "Star Fish" was fishing south of Little Egg Inlet in 70-feet of water when Brian Simao hooked up with a 25-inch fluke. Brian's group added several more keeper fluke as well as some croakers and other species to the fish box. On another trip Captain Sheppard found the same mixture of fish in addition to the biggest sea bass Brian Curley had ever seen let alone caught.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com
