The 2015 Junior Mates class of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association ended its classes with the John Koegler Memorial fishing trip and party following at the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club. BHCFA president, Jimmy Zavacky was quick to praise Barry Baxter from Barry's Do Me A Flavor for donating food for the party along with the Koegler family for donating prizes for the competing anglers. Eight junior mates weighed in fish ranging from the 12-ounce Boston Mackerel to the 5.48 pound fluke caught by Dylan Fisher.
Captain John Lewis reports the "Insatiable" had a great week both fishing parties and with the Junior Mates. Fluke fishing has improved greatly for Captain John in the last ten days bringing a lot of action with double digit releases and keepers up to 25". His Junior Mate Dylan Fisher won the John Koegler Memorial Junior Mate tournament with a flatty weighing in at 5.48 pounds. His second largest fish was 4.4 pounds. He is also starting to see some keeper sized blowfish in the bay.
Captain Ray Lopez had the Blake family out on the "Miss Liane" for a bay fluke fishing trip. Five year old Eli was the hit of the day when he caught his first three fluke ever. Another trip on the "Miss Liane" saw a group fishing several local reefs looking for big fluke. The group caught an assortment of fish including ling, jumbo sea bass, fluke, and even a squid. All were entertained watching the squid shoot its link while being netted. The group managed to box two 20-inch keeper fluke.
Captain Carl Sheppard had the "Star Fish" out every day for the past week and experienced plenty of rods bending. Leading the charge were large black sea bass which had to all be released since their season is closed. A bachelor party last Saturday proved to be productive as the group caught almost 100 fish including some very large fluke and a nice trigger fish. A large shark also made an appearance, biting through one of the lines.
Additional Information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.