The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are hopeful the fishing will be as hot after last week's severe nor'easter as it was before it struck.
Captain Fran Verdi of the "Drop Off" fished the day before it hit and began the day with two keepers on the incoming tide on the north bar of Little Egg Inlet. When the white water disappeared, and Captain Fran pulled anchor to look for more white water.
He reports that spot was constant action despite the rolling white water and crashing waves. At the day's end the crew had seven fish 34-39 inches. He is continuing to fish Wednesday to Monday with mostly open boat fishing.
Captain Carl Sheppard of the "Star Fish" out of Beach Haven says he wanted to fish last Saturday, but it was just too rough. He adds that his action on Sunday helped to make up for missing Saturday.
He started by trying to fish a rip in the bay, but had to stop due to muddy water and an excess of sea weed. He made the decision to brave a few swells in the inlet and see what the ocean had to offer.
The move was a good one as he located a flock of gannets working over an area in 35-feet of water. What he found was a school of striped bass with no bluefish mixed in. He managed to jig up 22 bass with most of them keeper sized. He even tried trolling a diamond jig on his way back to port and even picked up a bass this way.
Captain Frank Camarda and the "Miss Beach Haven" fished Monday taking good advantage of the increase in the daily blackfish limit. Both the weather and the fish cooperated as the every angler aboard limited out except for one. The boat remained in one spot for the day, and most of the fish were between two and four pounds. Darren Garabo of Beach Haven won the pool with a 4-pounder. Captain Frank says he will be sailing Saturdays and Sundays at 7 am.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be obtained at their website www.fishbeachhaven.com
