Head Does Not Slow Beach Haven Captains

The boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are fighting the hot weather with a mixed bag of black sea bass, fluke, and bluefish. Captain Fran Verdi of the "Dropoff" reports decent fishing for keeper sea bass. He has been filling coolers from the Garden State South and Little Egg Reefs. He had Rob Weaver and son out for a half day trip, and the son did most of the fishing for a total of 10 keeper sea bass along with several blackfish that were released. His best action was a calm day when he traveled further from shore to 80-feet of water. That day's final tally was 29 keeper sea bass and one nice fluke for George and Don. Junior mate in training, Dilon Kelly, did a great job for his first trip of the year, reported Captain Fran. Captain Dave Wittenborn of the "Compass Rose" out of Beach Haven reports fish around, but he has to work hard to put numbers in the boat. He found steady action on sea bass at the Garden State South Reef along with a 5.4 pound blackfish but picked up no fluke. After catching a few small blues along the beach he headed into the bay where he managed one keeper fluke. He reports the water temperature at the reef was 74-degrees. Captain Dave reports he could have stayed at the reef all day and loaded up on the sea bass, but he was fishing a local inshore tournament where fluke were the target. Captain Carl Sheppard had the "Star Fish" out last weekend with groups of 11-12 anglers. Each day they found large numbers of bluefish in 30-40 feet of water that responded well to metal on both the jig and diamond spoons on the troll. Offshore Captain Carl found black sea bass and fluke on the wrecks with better fishing in the deeper water. The numbers were good, but keepers were hard to find at times. Captain John Koegler also had the "Star Fish" out for some reef fishing. When that fishing slowed, he found very good action on 1-pound bluefish while trolling about 1.5 miles off the beach. Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter fishing Association can be found at their website at www.fishbeachhaven.com