It is not too early to start booking fishing trips with the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association. Most of the 2022 New Jersey saltwater fishing regulations are now official, and the seasons are quickly approaching.
The summer flounder season will be opening on Monday, May 2, with a 3 fish per day bag limit. However, this year anglers may now keep two fish from 17 to 17.99-inches and one fish 18-inches or over. In recent years all three fish in a bag limit had to be 18-inches or longer. The season will end on September 27.
The reduction in size should mean more fish fillets heading home for dinner.
The black sea bass regulations break the season into four segments with varying daily limits. It begins on May 17 until June 19 with a 10 fish per angler allowed daily. The second season goes from July 1 to August 31 with a 2 fish per day allowance. The next season is from October 12 to October 31 with a 10 fish per day limit.
The final segment runs from November 1 to December 31 with 15 fish allowed per day. The size limit for all segments is 13-inches.
The daily bag limit for porgies is 50 with a 10-inch minimum size. Anglers once again are allowed one striped bass daily of 28 to 37.99-inches. The early season for blackfish will end on April 30.
Anglers interested in taking advantage of the numerous saltwater fishing opportunities are advised to make their reservations early with one of the experienced captains of the BHCFA. Many of the prime dates fill up fast. Those who want to try their luck big game fishing for species such as tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi are advised to contact individual captains for complete details.