Although the spring tautog season has ended, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are psyched over the summer flounder season opening on May 5. With a respectable showing of striped bass and some feisty bluefish, May looks like a good month for fishing around Beach Haven.
Captain Fran Verdi of the "Drop Off" reports he had several blackfish trips recently with good fishing, but he is very optimistic about the back bay fishing for fluke. He is hoping the drop in the minimum size to 17.5 inches will result in more fish for his anglers to take home. For those parties looking for larger fish, he plans to run up and down the beaches looking for trophy striped bass.
The "Miss Beach Haven" with Captain Frank Camarda finished up the tautog season last weekend with two trips. First mate Sal Rosa reports the action was good, but the minimum size increase to 15-inches meant quite a few fish released that would have been kept last year. Sal said the pool on Saturday was split between John Cheeseman and birthday boy, Bill. Sunday's pool winner was unidentified, but the fish was a nice 7-pounder. The "Miss Beach Haven" will now be sailing for fluke but will stop for bird play to try for stripers or bluefish feeding under the birds.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com or by calling 877-524-2423.