Has anyone seen the sun? Thanks to the weather, the 2024 summer flounder season ended on a poor note not only for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association but all of New Jersey.
Long Beach Island has been besieged by strong northeast winds and extreme high tides for what seems like forever. The ocean has been so churned up with high swells that it is not only uncomfortable to venture out into the ocean but also on the dangerous side.
Just as it seemed like that things might start to calm down a little, Hurricane Helene is now giving us a dose of her fury. on the horizon. Fortunately, the storm went inland well away from Beach Haven, but there is no doubt that it will produce winds, tides, and tough ocean conditions for the next several days.
Currently, the only real option to catch some fish is in the bay. There are good numbers of panfish around such as croakers, spots, and blowfish. Light tackle action to be sure!
On the positive side, when things start to calm down, it will be October, and we can start to look for the first arriving striped bass. Another interesting target will be available on October 1, black sea bass. The New Jersey season for these bottom fish opens again on October 1 with a daily limit of 10 fish for the month. Then as of November 1, the daily limit expands to 15 fish for the remainder of the year.
Most of the captains of the BHCFA still have some open dates for the fall. It is not too late to get in on some of the fall fishing.