The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are noticing a slow increase in water temperatures which has them looking eagerly ahead to an increase in fishing action. Some have already found some of that action.
Right now, striped bass and bluefish seasons are wide open. The tog action has been good, but that season will close on May 1 until August 1. Black sea bass opens on May 15, and summer flounder become legal prey on May 22.
Captain Carl Sheppard has already had some groups out on the Star Fish working some inshore structure for bottom action. Although keepers have been a little hard to come by, black sea bass and tog have been keeping the rods bent. The top fish so far has been a beauty of a tog measuring out to 18.5-inches.
Captain Gary Dugan of the Irish Jig has been catching striped bass in Great Bay and tog on the reefs. One recent trip resulted in two keeper tog to 21-inches.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sport fishing had Max Cavallaro and friends on a bay and inlet trip. They picked a few tog on a jetty with one keeper while fishing with fly rods. On another trip he had Howie Tanenbaum with his 5-year-old son Penn on their 1st ever charter. Fishing in shallow water for bass both anglers managed to boat bass. A highlight of the trip was a sighting of a small seal.
Captain John Lewis has been busy setting up his spring schedule of boat deliveries. He is one of the top captains around for ferrying boats back and forth from winter harbors in the south. He says he has some open dates open for a couple more deliveries.
The Junior Mate classes this year will be starting on Thursday June 24 at 7:00 PM. The 2021 schedule has been posted on the Association website at www.BHCFA.net
Classes will be held at the Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna complete with social distancing and all activities outside under an overhang. This year will feature a new variety of classes designed to be relevant to teenagers.