The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are experiencing summer at the New Jersey shore, positive and negative. Summer brings thunderstorms and biting flies in the inshore areas. A little insect repellent for those greenheads, and the expertise of the captains always provide safe fishing conditions.
The good news is that fishing is going well at this time. Early summer brought a slow summer flounder bite, but that bite has picked up not only with more action, but a noticeable increase in keeper fish.
Along with the fluke in the bay and inshore reefs, a variety of fish have shown up. An intriguing number of keeper weakfish have been reeled in on rigs meant for fluke. There are still some black drum around along scattered schools of bluefish. The BHCFA captains leave the dock prepared for any fish that might come their way.
Further offshore, the tuna bite has continued strong. Whether the trip is a full day trip or an overnighter, it seems most of the trips are returning to the dock with fish in the coolers.
Captain Max Goldman reports his boat the “Starfish” has been finding a wide variety of fish on the inshore reefs while bottom fishing. One day trip saw anglers busy all morning with nonstop action, catching short fluke, sea bass, spiny dogfish, spinner sharks, bluefish, and more. Captain Max notes he welcomes experienced anglers to first-time fishermen aboard the “Starfish.”
Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” reports he is experiencing the best action of the season right now in the waters inside Barnegat Inlet. On Friday he had two charters, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The first trip reeling in 83 short fluke while boxing eight keepers to 22-inches. The afternoon crew did well boxing four keepers to 24-inches while releasing 50 short fish. Captain Brett finished off his long day giving a fishing presentation for the Village Harbor Fishing Club.
Additional information on the captains and boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org