The feds may have closed down the black sea bass fishery, but the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association continue to put together some good catches.
Captain George Finck of "Sparetime Charters" along with his brother-in-law Ed Monro decided to get a pleasure trip in before the season for black sea bass closed. They headed to the Little Egg Reef in 3-foot seas, and Captain George put them on the fish. They managed a really good day catching plenty of porgies, sea bass, and trigger fish.
The "Star Fish" managed to fish three days during the past week, twice with Captain John at the helm and once with Captain Carl Sheppard. Most days they spent the mornings on wrecks and the afternoons trolling. The weather cooperated, and the parties managed to find good numbers of bluefish while the reefs and wrecks produced numbers of keeper sized fish including blackfish, sea bass, trigger fish, weakfish, porgies, and one throwback lane snapper.
Thursday's group was made up of 16 avid fishermen who boated a catch of almost 200 fish in a half day of fishing. Most were throwbacks, but the anglers had a great time. On Sunday Captain Carl ended the sea bass season with a trip to the southern wrecks with the Messler family and friends. The fishing was steady and consisted of keeper porgies, small sea bass, small blues, and a few sea robins.
Captain Frank Camarda and the "Miss Beach Haven" also has been experiencing some good days. Friday's catch consisted of big porgies, trigger fish, blackfish, and the pool winner, a 3.5 pound sea bass boated by Gregory Ivanich of Beach Haven. Saturday's fishing was also very good with some croakers mixed in. On Sunday the blackfish were out in force and practically every angler caught his one fish limit.
Additional information on the BHCFA can be found at the group's website at www.fishbeachhaven.com