Summer fishing patterns have arrived in Beach Haven for the Captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association. The waters are warming, and the variety of fish available to be caught is wide.
Captain Bob Gerkens reports the “Hot Tuna” fished the Mid-Atlantic Cup Blue Marlin Tournament with Mike Yocco from the “MJs” and his crew at one of the Northern canyons. During the 9 hours of the tournament only one marlin was raised, but it did not take any of the boat’s offerings. However, in the several hours of non-tournament fishing, 8 yellowfin tuna were boated, 3 of which were 40 to 60-pounds and a gaffer mahi of 20-pounds. This weekend the “Hot Tuna” will be fishing the Ocean City, Maryland, Tuna Tournament. Following that event Captain Bob will be open for offshore charters.
Max Rosenthal, mate on the party boat “Miss Beach Haven” reports the ocean fishing has been steadily improving. On recent trips keeper fluke, bluefish, and black sea bass have been coming over the rail. Max says that in many cases the females have been outfishing the male anglers.
Captain Dave Kreines reports he had the Turcich group out on “Byte Me” Charters for a half day bay fishing trip. The action was slow with a few short fluke and one giant sea robin. The next day the Martin family caught loads of short fluke with one nice keeper. The action was steady all day with an assortment of dogfish, sea robins, and one blowfish. The kids aboard had a great time.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing reports he is taking parties both to structure for bottom fish like ling and black sea bass while also continuing his productive fluking. He had Steve Trapp, daughter Angela, and friend Joe Kacez on a 4-hour bay fluking trip. Despite strong winds they ended the day with 8 keeper fluke to 5-pounds.
Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” has been fishing ocean reefs and structure for a while now and reports the fluke fishing has been getting better and better. He says he is putting fluke in the cooler almost every trip. He is especially exciting about this time of the year with the variety of species he is seeing. In addition to the fluke, he has been catching black sea bass, bluefish, cownose rays, sharks, sea robins, and skates. While not every fish is a keeper, the rods are steadily bending.
Captain Gary has been busy also co-hosting a tournament for the Italian American Club in Little Egg Harbor. The captains meeting is Friday, July 19 at the Club at 105 Falcon Drive. Fishing is all day Saturday and half a day Sunday. In addition to many prizes there is a gala party after. Call Gary at 609-760-3717 for info on this great cause benefiting the club’s scholarship program and the emergency community relief program
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.bhcfa.net