Weather forecasts for the next couple of days look like winds and heavy rain will keep the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association at the dock. However, the weekend looks like it will be a good one weatherwise, and there are fish to be caught.
The summer flounder season will be closing for the year on Saturday, September 27. In addition, the black sea bass season is currently closed and will not re-open until October 18 when it will run until the end of the year.
Despite these closures, there is still quite a bit of very good fishing to be found. The BHCFA captains are taking family type parties out for fishing trips in the bay where there is an abundance of species to be found. By anchoring up and putting out a chum line, anglers can catch a myriad of fish including blowfish, croakers, kingfish, small bluefish, and many others.
The inlet and inshore waters are currently filled with schools of small, 1-3 pound, bluefish. These fish are hungry and great action on light tackle. Boats trolling the inshore waters and several miles out are also getting into some great action from false albacore, bonito, and even some small mahi-mahi.
Although weather conditions have not been ideal for offshore canyon trips, there are good numbers of tuna to be found there once things settle down, and the boats can make their way out there. There are also reports of some swordfish and good sized sharks being caught while chunking bait through the night.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org.